Enterprise Match Racing Championships at Etherow Country Park Sailing Club

Etherow Country Park Sailing Club hosted The Enterprise Match Racing Championships on 17th November. This annual event is hosted on the basis that visitors don't have to bring a boat and turn up at 10.30am to draw which country they will represent for the day.

This year a healthy 18 teams turned up which were split into 4 leagues. The sailing took place in a light shifty westerly breeze with most matches ending up very closely fought and inches seperating the teams. The umpires Tony Woods, and Paul Brotherton (yes, that Paul Brotherton) were kept busy with whistles blowing more regular as the racing became more competitive. Old stalwarts of the class Jon Ward, and Graham Ellis took the eye in the early rounds and were unlucky to be paired with the eventual finalists at the quarter final stage.

After a full day's competition the Semi finalist winners were Sam Woods/Rick Hayton, and Matt Velamail/Gary Benson. The losing Semi Finalists had a sail off for 3rd and 4th places which Charlie Berry and Chris just won against John Berry and Erica Hayton.

The final took place in the best wind of the day, and Matt engaged Sam Woods early on in the Pre start. Sam and Rick were chased away from the start line with Matt and Gary driving them away from the line and into the wind shadow at every opportunity. Eventually they crossed the start line with Sam and Rick firmly in a dirty air position. As Matt and Gary rounded the windward mark they got a gust and extended their lead. It took Sam and Rick to the last windward leg to find their form and they caught Matt right up. Matt always had the Match Racing skills to keep the young pretenders in their place and crossed the line to a well deserved round of applause from the other competitors and representing Australia were crowned the Unofficial Enterprise World Match Racing Champions.