Harken UK Enterprise Inland Championship at Draycote Water SC - Day 1

A superb turnout of 45 boats were greeted by bright conditions and a strong breeze upon arrival at Draycote SC this morning for the Harken UK Inlands. Not just 45 ordinary Enterprises, but this fleet included the cream of the crop of the Enterprise world including world, national, inland, masters, youth champions, Olympic coaches, leading international sailmakers and the many legends that thrive in our class!

A difficult southerly direction of wind showed very little to be worried about the days racing looking downwind however, once blue sails began launching it became evident that today would be a wet and wild one.

The first race began with all 90 sailors starting into in a brisk 20 knots of wind and the first mark was crowded with Jeremy Stephens and Ryan Crawford (P&B), showing the early lead followed closely by Steve Sargent/Callum Dingle (P&B), Martin/Abi Honnor (North Sails), Tim Sadler & Richard Sault (P&B), Steve Graham/Alex Halliwell (P&B) and Matt Velamail/Tim Brownell (North Sails). The Honnors threw it in on the gybe and fell backwards, from here Steve and Callum streaked away into the lead, with Steve G and Alex also taking a swim on the 3rd gybe. Unfortunately Tim and Saulty suffered a broken gooseneck and had to retire. Mark Lunn & Steve Blackburn (Speeds) pulled through the fleet into 2nd with Matt and Tim rounding out the top 3.

2nd race began with a slightly depleted fleet, Matt and Tim lead at the first mark, with Alan Johnson & Paula Fisher (P&B) hot on their heels. These two boats pulled away from the fleet, engaging in a close tussle with Matt and Tim eventually sealing their first bullet. Mark & Steve caught up to finish 3rd, with Jeremy & Ryan in 4th and Steve and Callum in 5th. Ann Jackson & Alan Skeens sailed a strong race to finish in 6th.

After a filling lunch and energy refuel an even more depleted fleet launched for the last race of the day. Although the base wind had dropped, there were some big squalls tearing their way through the race course. Matt & Tim rounded in 1st and held this to the finish after a battle with Mark and Steve. In 3rd came Jeremy and Ryan, and Tim and Saulty in 4th. Phil and Catriona Bevan took 5th.

Stay tuned to the enterprise twitter feed @entassociation for all the latest results, pictures videos and live updates from the Harken UK Inlands.

Results after Day 1: