Enterprise Nationals at South Caernarvonshire Yacht Club - Day 2

Enterprise National Championships day 2 © Andy Green / www.fotoboat.com

Enterprise National Championships day 2 © Andy Green / www.fotoboat.com

Sponsored by Noble Marine & Rondar Raceboats

18 knots of SW wind, beaming sunshine and champagne conditions greeted 100 sailors this morning. With the fleets yet to be decided, today the fleet selection was all to play for in order to secure some silverware at the final prize giving.

The anticipation could be felt on the beach with the top contenders launching early to get some practice in, with the championship looking very hard to call, a consistent day was needed by everyone.

Race 1 began in good swell with the early leaders Mark Lunn & Steve Blackburn crossing the fleet however it was the pathfinder Dave & Beth Porter who rounded the top mark in 1st with a substantial lead after a good right hand shift came in.

Our three top girls, Jane Scutt, Ann Jackson & Alice Driscoll all rounded together and so a very tight but interesting race set in. Mark & Steve took the race home from here after a difficult previous day with Paul Hobson & Libby Allen taking 2nd & Jane & Nick Scutt sealing the top 3 and the girl's battle.

After several broken booms, dangly poles and boats, race 3 began with a significantly smaller fleet with only about 30 boats making the start line. The wind picked up to around 25 knots with bigger gusts coming through.

Mark & Steve fired out of the gate rounding first closely followed by Matt Velamail & Tim Brownell with Alice & Sharky just behind. At the first gybe mark there was a high percentage of the fleet that fell victim to some extreme gusts and took their first dip in the Cardigan Bay water.

Mark & Steve and Matt & Tim extended away from the rest of the fleet engaging in a tight battle with the eventual winners Mark & Steve collecting their 2nd bullet of the day. Steve said, "We went well and the conditions suited us perfectly however there is a long way to go with this being only the second day".

After a hard days racing Mark & Steve make significant ground towards their Nationals campaign but on only day two and different conditions forecast, this championships is still very much open.

Results after day 2: