Noble Marine Enterprise Nationals at Paignton Sailing Club - Day 4

Day 4 of the Noble Marine Enterprise Nationals at Paignton © Jean Border / www.borderphotos2010.com

Phil and Laura Beavan on day 4 of the Noble Marine Enterprise Nationals at Paignton © Jean Border / www.borderphotos2010.com

Akshan Jirainha and Pete Rowley on day 4 of the Noble Marine Enterprise Nationals at Paignton © Jean Border / www.borderphotos2010.com

Sponsored by Noble Marine, Allen Brothers, Zhik, Selden, Exe Sails & Ullman Sails

After a chilled out and sunny lay day the Enterprise Fleet were ready and eager to get back into it for Races 6 and 7. The wind had finally settled down and it looked like being a good day of racing with a nice NE offshore wind of about 10-15 knots.

The fleet were started bang on time and got away fairly cleanly behind Richard & Millie Pryke in "Fat & Furious". A clear pattern at Paignton is developing in that you have to almost bang corners every time on the first beat to be in the leading pack at the windward mark. It was Akshan & Pete that caught onto this first and sailed a great beat to lead closely followed by Jeremy & Ryan and Tim & Salty. However this race seemed to be where all our U25 boats managed to get their act together with James Morley & Joel Jackman, Sam Woods & Meg Adams, Matt Velamail & Tim Brownell, Alan Roberts & Rhea Burton and Calum and Rory Mackenzie all rounding in the top 15.

Meanwhile back at the front Akshan & Pete were extending their lead in favourable conditions, until the moment "the legend crew" may have just left his jib cleated in on the tack, on the last beat and sunk the ship! Tim & Salty snatched at the opportunity and sailed through to happily take their bullet off their hands, Jeremy & Ryan for 2nd and Akshan & Pete consolidating in 3rd, Matt & Tim with 4th and AJ & Paula rounding out the top 5.

Race 7 started in more breeze behind the pathfinder of Charles & Hannah Adams, a big lift on port caused many of the fleet to miss the gate, causing many boats to take the transom of the whole fleet and go out to the right.

In the end it again became evident the far right or far left of the beat would pay at the top as pressure died in the middle of the course. This time it was 2013 National Champions Mark & Steve, 2014 Inlands Champions Jeremy & Ryan and 2013 Masters Champions Tim & Salty that would show their speed in the increasing breeze. This pack raced away from the chasing group to fight it out between themselves with Jeremy & Ryan being the eventual winners.

The lead has now changed and Mark & Steve are in the position to retain the 2013 Crown, but who can stop them? They will be wearing the yellow bibs tomorrow so keep your eye out for them. Tim & Salty are only a point behind.

Races 8 & 9 are to be sailed today and there will be a national champion to be crowned in tonight's prizegiving hosted by Ullman Sails who will be giving away a new jib and cover. Selden will also be giving away a new boom. The Zhik buddy system will also be decided so sail fast today!

Results after Day 4: (seven races, 1 discard)