Enterprise National Championships at Tenby Sailing Club - Days 2 & 3

Sponsors: Noble Marine, Rondar Raceboats and Brewin Dolphin

Day 2

Wind still strong (force 4 to 5) but most of the fleet managed to launch and enjoy the journey to the gate start.

Race 2: 1st was 23170 Nick Craig and James Stewart and the beginning of a familiar pattern that is expected when Nick competes in the Enterprise championships. 2nd 23307 Thomas Atkin and Minnie Lucey, 3rd 23306 Mark Lunn and Al Fry, both sailing in their new Mark III Rondar Epoxy Enterprise. 4th 23089 Jon Woodward and Alex Halliwell, 5th 22619 Martin Honnor and Abigail Honnor, 6th 23310 Paul Hobson and Libby Allen in a new Mark III noticeable for its ‘beautiful shade of blue’.

Race 3: Nick Craig and Mark Lunn pulled a long way ahead and sailed within a few boat lengths of each other all the way round – on the final run Nick Craig managed to establish an overlap and take the lead. A tacking battle ensued but Nick/James held on to take their 3rd race win of the series.

1st 23170 Nick Craig and James Stewart, 2nd 23306 Mark Lunn and Al Fry, 3rd 23310 Paul Hobson and Libby Allen, 4th 19876 Alan Johnson and Paula Fisher, 5th 22270 Ali Morrish and Tim Hartley (Ali making a first appearance in the top ranking after she had the misfortune to break her boom), 6th 22501 Alice Allen and Sharky – Today is the day when the Ladies make their presence felt!

Day 3

This was a welcome weather change blue skies (still some showers) and a Force 3 to 4 which did die towards the end of Race 5. A full complement of 52 Enterprises were on the sea at Tenby – a very colourful sight.

Race 4: Steve Graham and Chris Blundell were the Pathfinders and continued on Port Tack and rounded the windward mark first. - a lead which they held to the finish. Martin and Rachel Bradley stayed 2nd behind Steve and Chris throughout the race. Nick/James worked their way up the fleet to Martin/ Rachel but were unable to improve on 3rd. The Pattern has changed.

1st 23223 Steve Graham and Chris Blundell, (Steve Graham’s FIRST championship Race win), 2nd 22911 Martin Bradley and Rachel Bradley, never far behind, 3rd 23170 Nick Craig and James Stewart, 4th 19876 Alan Johnson and Paula Fisher, 5th 23275 first notable appearance for this new Rondar Mark III with Ges Brown and Julie Moore, 6th 22619 Martin Honnor and Abigail Honnor.

Race 5: Nick Jackson and Karen Jewkes were pathfinder and after closing the gate Nick/Karen carried on right and rounded the windward mark 2nd, just behind Tom /Minnie followed closely by Mark/Al who unfortunately touched the mark and took their penalty turn. Martin/Abigail were 4th around the windward mark.

The leading 4 boats remained clear of the fleet until the last beat when there was a wind shift benefiting those who went left on the final beat. Nick/James, Alan/Paula and Paul/Libby all benefitted from this wind shift.

1st 23307 Thomas Atkin and Minnie Lucey, 2nd 23306 Mark Lunn and Al Fry, 3rd 23015 Nick Jackson and Karen Jewkes, 4th 23170 Nick Craig and James Stewart, 5th 22619 Martin Honnor and Abigail Honnor, 6th 19876 Alan Johnson and Paula Fisher.

The Prize Giving on Tuesday evening saw the prizes being presented by Richard Kelly (Swansea Division) from Brewin Dolphin who are one of the major sponsors, for Enterprise Association, at this event. Most sailors sported the Brewin Dolphin T Shirts given to them by Brewin. We thank you Brewin Dolphin, the Tees are looking good!

Results so far: