North Sails & Peak Dinghy Enterprise Winter Championship at Rutland Sailing Club

Champions Neil and Sophie Barrett at the Enterprise Winter Championship 2016 © RSC

'50 Shades' leading at the Enterprise Winter Championship 2016 © RSC

Rutland Water Sailing Club welcomed 22 Enterprises, all but one visiting Rutland. It was great to welcome competitors from the far corners of the UK including St. Mary's Loch, Tynemouth and Bristol. It took place on the 26/27th November concluding what has been an epic 60th Anniversary Year of racing for the Enterprise Class.

The forecast played true and the sailors enjoyed five close races in a NE breeze varying between 6 – 15 knots on both days.

Race 1 started and most of the fleet decided to head out to the left-hand side of the course. 50 Shades and Misty decided that the right was paying and although lonely at times both boats made it to the first mark in the top two positions. The tussle ensued and Misty just pipped 50 Shades to the post.

Race 2 saw Oil Cooked in Beef (OCB) entering a league of her own, leading from start to finish. Blue Job and 50 Shades finishing 2nd and 3rd respectively having pulled away from the pack leaving the rest in close contention, hunting lifts and more pressure to better scores.

Race 3 and the fleet had been recharged with chocolate handouts during the break and were ready to commence battle. This time it was the Grahams in Minion and OCB racing it out at the front, ending the day with another first for OCB swiftly followed by Minion and then Blue Job.

The Saturday night began with a hearty Rutland dinner and a fair few drinks being consumed in preparation for a truly unique karaoke. Steve Blackburn was first to the microphone, swiftly followed by the dulcet.......ish tones of Tim Brownell. In between vocals rumour has it that the famous Isaac may have been traded back to the Pryke stables!

Sunday morning came around all to quickly with race 4 starting as scheduled with slightly more breeze than the previous day. The fleet got away cleanly and the close racing was clear to see with many a congested mark rounding. It was Misty again leading the race from start to finish showing that a bit of local knowledge goes a fair way. Simply Red had also found her pace and finished a close second with OCB hot on her heels.

Race 5 and the pressure was on with OCB and Misty in contention for the overall win. OCB hunted Misty pre-start and some match racing around the committee boat ensued. The gun sounded and it was the Sadler & Sault team who dominated the favoured pin end. At the top mark it was team Sadler & Sault leading with Misty trailing in second but hungry for the win. Misty needed the race win and helmsman from each boat discussed the right of passage around the race course with even the offers of beers being turned down? After the three lap tacking dual it was Misty who squeezed through to take the bullet and the overall Winter Championship for 2016.

In second place was John Blundell from Staunton Harold SC crewed by Nathan Smith who won the under 16 prize. Third overall was Matt Velamail and Tim Brownell from Yorkshire SC. The prize for first lady helm went to Alice Allen from Bristol Corinthian YC, crewed by Paul Hobson.

Our sponsors, North Sails and Peak Dinghy Spares, provided some fantastic prizes which were very much appreciated and we thank them for their support.

Steve Blackburn christening refurbished 22461 at the Enterprise Winter Championship 2016 - photo © RSC

Overall Results: