NINE national twelves of widely varying ages – the oldest being a 1958 Proctor mark 4 – took partin the Burwain Sailing Club National 12 open meeting.
The event, which forms part of the Northern and Vintage series, sees the overall winner picking up the Association of North East Yacht Clubs trophy, a trophy first awarded in 1949.
The first race was held in less than ideal conditions with periods of flat calm and a heavy hail shower.
Philip David and Caroline Clarke from Yorkshire Ouse, in their Feeling Foolish design, led from the gun. A move to the far left of the final beat saw Peter Dewhurst from Burwain sailing a borrowed Design 8 sail into second place.
The wind picked up for the second race but again Philip David established a lead on the first leg which he never relinquished.
There was some close racing behind with Mark and Emma Simpson sailing through to second and Patrick Hamilton from the home club just holding off Ed Storey crewed by his son Tom who were sporting a brand new set of sails on their 1988 Crusader design.
The Storeys had a good start in the final race and were keeping pace with Philip David up the first beat. Also up with the leaders were Howard Chadwick and Helen Nicholson in their 1965 Starfish Design, showing that in the right conditions the older designs can still hold their own. Once again the Simpsons fought through to take second place ahead of the Storeys and Chadwick. Chadwick’s fourth place was enough to secure victory in the Vintage class.