12 hour Junior Endurance Race at Southport Sailing Club

by Steve Blackburn 1 Jul 2010 00:44 BST 26 June 2010

I’m sure Southport Sailing Club was surprised with the great turnout and the superb Costa del Sunny Southport weather. The junior endurance race, which was celebrating its 25th anniversary at the Marine Lake. The event was sponsored by 1stmark.co.uk

31 teams turned out, sailing GP14’s, Enterprises and Bosuns. Many parents and representatives from various clubs watch their junior team’s race around the lake anti clock wise. The wind was a steady south westerly and changing to a westerly sea breeze as the sun increased the wind to a force 2 -3. In other words perfect sailing weather. Unfortunately the lake wasn’t in such good condition as the sunny weather has evaporated a lot of the water and there isn’t a neat tide until the weekend before the 24 hour race on the 9th & 10th September.

Through out the day teams from all over the country battled for the premier position. Plenty of prizes to be won for the fasted 2 laps, Ladies race, Under 18 team, be first in your class and plenty more.

Etherow CPSC was in the lead for most of the race, sailing an Enterprise. GP’s from South Staffs and Bolton were well in the running. The wind did change through the race and the was only a small leg to fly the spinnaker for the Bosun and the GP. The Enterprises creamed through the fleet and West Lancashire Yacht Club A Team eventually won the Event. 2nd was South Staffs Blue, 3rd Etherow CPSC, 4th Southport Purple SC and in 5th was Pilkington A.

A lot of the sailing clubs raced 2 teams. A or B teams. The standard of the sailing was very high from the top and enjoyed by the less experienced by juniors who are new to the sport. It was apparent that some of the juniors were at home in the Enterprises and GP’s sailing with their crews. I noticed a lot, which are on the Laser and Topper circuit, which seemed happier and sailing faster in the Ents and GP’s. Don’t forget juniors you can purchase a good second hand Ent for around £1000.00 and there are over 100 Opens in the UK every year. I’m sure this is also similar with the GP Class. Don’t forget the Enterprise Youth Championships at Barnt Green 4th and 5th September 2010. Entry fee of £10. I’m sure you could borrow the Clubs Ent.

Back to the National 12 Hour Race. Superbly organized event from a very friendly club. Watching the event we will see plenty of National Champions in years to come. Keep up the fantastic sailing.

Overall Results:

Pos'n	Boat	Club	Laps	Penalty	Average
1st	Ent	West Lancs YC	56		11.29
2nd	GP	South Staffs SC Blue	56		11.37
3rd	Ent	Etherow CPSC	56		11.38
4th	Ent	Southport SC Purple	56		11.4
5th	Ent	Pilkington SC A	55		11.4
6th	GP	Bolton SC A	55		11.43
7th	Ent	Leigh & Lowton SC	54		11.54
8th	Ent	Chester S&CC Green	55	-0.25	11.56
9th	GP	South Staffs SC Red	54		12.04
10th	GP	Midland SC	52		12.24
11th	GP	Dovestone SC	52		12.25
12th	GP	Winsford Flash	51		12.45
13th	Ent	Southport SC	50		12.56
14th	Ent	Rudyard Lake SC Blue	51	-0.5	12.57
15th	Bosun	Sandbach School	46		13.11
16th	GP	Burwain SC A	50		13.14
17th	Ent	West Lancs YC Juniors	49		13.14
18th	GP	Crosby Scout and Guide	49	-0.25	13.18
19th	Ent	Chester S&CC White	50		13.18
20th	Ent	Rudyard Lake SC Green	48		13.25
21st	Ent	High Peak SC White	48	-0.25	13.28
22nd	GP	Burwain SC B	48		13.4
23rd	GP	Fidlers Ferry SC	47	-0.25	13.45
24th	Ent	High Peak SC Black	47		13.47
25th	GP	Bolton SC B	48	-0.5	13.53
26th	Bosun	Newcastle U Lyme SC	43		13.56
27th	GP	Bolton SC C	45	-0.25	14.28
28th	Bosun	Sedbergh School	40	-0.5	15.17
29th	Bosun	Merchant Taylors B	38	-1	16.38
30th	Bosun	Merchant Taylors A	39	-2.25	16.46
31st	Ent	Pilkington SC B	39	-0.5	16.53