North Sails/Gul/Allen Enterprise National Championship at Exe Sailing Club - Day 5

Thursday saw an epic three races taking place at Exmouth in the North Sails, Gul and Allen Sailing Enterprise National Championship.

With a lighter wind strength, it was Jeremy Stephens/Becca Stephens with Jane Scutt/Nick Scutt who lead round the first mark. Many of the rest of the fleet came to grief on the windward mark, due to the strong tide with the trackers showing a myriad of unusual manoeuvres. At the front of the fleet, Jeremy Stephens/Becca Stephens won with Jane Scutt/Nick Scutt 2nd, and Phil Ford/Jane Humpage consolidated their position with 3rd overall. Dave Jackman/Chris Jackman picked up their series discard with a 15th.

Ann Jackson/Alan Skeens were pathfinder for race 7, following Steve Blackburn/Phil Manning around the first mark. The pair pulled out a good lead with Blackburn winning, Ann Jackson 2nd, leaving Jeremy Stephens/Becca Stephens coming 3rd, Steve Sargent/Eloise Jaycock 4th and Phil Ford/Jane Humpage 5th.

With the sun now out and a fairly settled breeze, the PRO decided to run a third race. Dave Jackman/Chris Jackman were pathfinder and the first beat saw the fleet splitting to the lay lines. Those who chose to go out to sea came in on a good port lift with Tim Sadler/Gabe Hill leading at the mark, followed by Steve Blackburn/Phil Manning 2nd and Darren Roach/Natalie Roach third. The wind shift resulted in the PRO laying a new windward mark, and some close racing at the front end saw Tim Sadler/Gabe Hill winning, Steve Blackburn/Phil Manning 2nd, Darren Roach/Natalie Roach 3rd and Phil Ford/Jane Humpage 4th.

The prize giving was delayed due to a number of protests, but the majority of the fleet were happy to relax on the Exmouth Sailing Club balcony enjoying the late afternoon sun before watching the run through of the day's racing using the SailRacer GPS tracking. This is the first time the fleet has used this system, and it has proved extremely useful for post race analysis with the top helms providing hints and tips on their decisions made during the racing.

All to play for in the proposed final race today, with Phil Ford/Jane Humpage just three points behind Dave Jackman/Chris Jackman and Tim Sadler/Gabe Hill nipping on Jeremy Stephens/Becca Stephens toes.

Results after Day 5:

Allen T-shirts during the Enterprise Nationals at Exe Sailing Club - photo © Martyn Curnow