The National 12 Midland area junior championship was hosted by Northampton SC on 6 July. With competitors travelling from as far as Suffolk, Yorkshire and Cornwall, it was a shame that the day was dominated by light and shifty winds, but Race Officer Richard Willows made the best of the conditions and ran two races using a triangular course.

Nathan Harding crewed by Jinni King (N3429) made the best start off the favoured port-hand end. They then had a close duel with defending champions Jimmy Whitehead and Henry Johnson (N3458) up the first beat. James Hoffman and Olli Goodhew (N3385), who had used the better breeze on the right to their advantage, joined them at the windward mark. Nathan and Jinni held on for a lap but on the second beat Jimmy and Henry’s experience showed as they snuck through to the lead with better boat handling. They held on to this lead until the end. Simon Hinks and Olly Young (N3396) recovered from a bad start to edge into third place before the finish.

In race two Jimmy and Henry made a better start and managed to lead at the windward mark and go on to pull out a good lead and hold on to their title. Nathan and Jinni sailed well and got another second having overtaken James Hoffman and Olli Goodhew on the run into the finish. Lydia Wood and Lucy Horsley (N3426) made a good start and rounded in fifth place but fell into a hole and slipped to seventh by the finish.

Overall Results

1st Whiteheat 3458, Jimmy Whitehead and Henry Johnson

2nd Fool’s Gold 3429, Nathan Harding and Jinni King

3rd O’Crikey 3396, Simon Hinks and Olly Young

4th Wild Front Ear 3385, James Hoffman and Olli Goodhew

5th Phlapp 3330, Tom Gruitt and Andy Dennison

6th Twice Shy 3216, Chris Nichols and Alaister McInnes

7th Purple Pants 3426, Lydia Wood and Lucy Horsley