Noble Marine Enterprise Nationals at Paignton Sailing Club - Day 1

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

After a very efficient day of measuring, Paignton SC greeted 54 boats from nationwide including an entry from as far afield as Sri Lanka to the 2014 National Championships yesterday evening. Race Officer Ken Falcon briefed everybody on the plan for the week's proceedings with the Commodore's reception shortly following.

Sunday morning broke with a light 8-10 knots and clouds covering the sky, all 108 sailors rigged up after a mini briefing by the PRO and launched at 12 midday for a practise race followed by Race 1. Sailors ventured 2 miles out further into Torbay nearer Brixham to the race course in the hope of finding some stable wind conditions and avoiding the notorious fickle shifts.

The practise race began with Alan Johnson & Paula Fisher as the gate boat, sailing into a north-westerly wind, with the gate open for 2 minutes the majority of the fleet were well behaved and got away cleanly. Aj & Paula banged the far right of the course towards Torquay and streaked into the lead, pulling away and showing early dominance. The race gave everyone the chance to test out their tactics and get boats set up.

By the time Race 1 came along, all the wind has disappeared, leaving the race team with no other option but to postpone racing for approximately 30 minutes before the NW returned, slightly more edgy than previously. Thankfully, the PRO kept waiting around to a minimum and was able to begin the starting procedure relatively quickly. AJ & Paula remained the gate boat, with the right side of the course showing as the way to go, the line became slightly more congested at the starboard end with some argy bargy creeping its way in, in typical enterprise fashion.

Dave Jackman showed a clean pair of heels to lead at the windward mark closely followed by Francis Marshall & Austin Rudd. Not long after AJ & Paula followed. In the top group were also Gez Brown & Julie Moore, Steve Graham & Alex Halliwell and Tim Sadler & Saulty. Further back in the fleet the 2013 National Champions Mark Lunn & Steve Blackburn were engaged in a tight battle with 2014 Inland Champions Jeremy Stephens & Ryan Crawford, fighting their way back to the front of the fleet. With the wind very variable and no side of the course presenting as an obvious favourite AJ & Paula were able to streak into the lead and take the bullet from here on, the Looe boys took 2nd and 3rd followed by Tim & Saulty, Akshan & Crew, and Nick Jackson & Crew rounding out the top 6. The new pairing of Sam Woods & Meg Porter put in a strong performance to finish 8th. Jane Scutt won the battle of the lady helms today in the quest for the National title and firmly kept the main challengers of Alice Allen and Ann Jackson in her wake. The Zhik Pink Jersey will be firmly with Jane for tomorrows racing providing Alice and Ann with something to hunt down.

Aj & Paula are therefore leading the Nationals and will be looking to capitalise in tomorrow's light wind and drizzle forecast. Can AJ add the Enterprise Title to his recently gained Squib title? There will be a handful of runners and riders looking to prevent him from doing so. Stay tuned....

Fleets and buddy teams to be decided tonight, Curry night at 7:30 followed by Prizegiving for day 1. Tonight's prize – Allen Brothers racing fit-out – draw for all boats older than 22000. Must be present to win it!

Race 2 at 11:00am tomorrow

Provisional Race 1 Results: (subject to protest)