Enterprise Open at Wraysbury Lake Sailing Club

Enterprises at Wraysbury Lake © Ben Cooper

Enterprises at Wraysbury Lake © Ben Cooper

The hottest day of the year to date saw a spiritual homecoming at Wraysbury Lake SC as the annual Enterprise Open Meeting took place, incorporating the class’s Thames Valley Bowl Series. Held earlier in the calendar in previous years, there was a hope that a date in May might encourage a few more travellers, but possibly in the end the forecast 3 knots max wind from no particular direction deterred many from leaving home. However, three visitors did join the local fleet of six for what was to be a difficult day catching the zephyrs, or was it the downdraft from the Heathrow bound Airbus A380 that shifted the wind through 180o at one point?

A determined Race Officer had planned for four races either side of the lunch break, but those plans were really never on from the start, and an initial postponement even enabled one local boat to make the delayed start of Race 1 after the crew had been caught in stationary traffic on the M25 – they, like all the boats, were to be stationary again on the water too! Racing did get underway though, in very light and shifty airs, and it was the visitors who quickly moved into the lead demonstrating their superior roll tacking skills, centreboards partly out of the water, on many occasions. David Beaney (Castaways), crewed by his son, pulled out an unassailable lead to win from Martin and Laurence Davies (Rugby and Daventry), who led the rest of fleet in a closer battle for the minor places. Tom and Beryl Webster (Wraysbury) used all their skill and local knowledge to break away for 3rd, with Mark and Liz Smallwood (Wraysbury) getting 4th from Ben and Oliver Burrows (West Oxfordshire) by a short head.

Lunch now beckoned, and an extended period on the club terrace was enjoyed by all. Eventually a light south easterly appeared, and the Race Officer went for a second race. A slight adjustment to the course with all buoys being moved away from the trees on the banks, and a little more breeze allowed the fleet to move quite fast away from the start. Martin and Laurence Davies were a little late back from lunch, but they chose the right side of the beat and led after the windward mark. However, David Beaney was determined to regain the Trophy he won a couple of years previously, and eventually they relinquished their lead as the wind swung so much that each leg of the race took turns at being a beat, reach and run. A shortened course saw the same leaders as for Race 1, and with the thought of long journeys for some in hot traffic, the Race Officer concluded proceedings on the water for the day.

As the best breeze of the day materialised, prizes were presented by Wraysbury Lake SC Sailing Secretary on the terraces; Tom and Beryl Webster were 1st Wraysbury boat in 3rd overall, Martin and Laurence Davies came 2nd and David and John Beaney were the winners. David Beaney in turn, on behalf of the visitors, thanked the club for its excellent hospitality, and invited them to continue hosting an open meeting every year – something the club will I am sure do, given its historical links with Jack Holt and the Enterprise in particular. Next year we’ll arrange for a few more Airbuses!

Overall Results: