Sailing Chandlery Enterprise National Circuit Round 3 at Leigh-on-Sea Sailing Club

Competitors and prize winners in the Sailing Chandlery Enterprise National Circuit Round 3 at Leigh-on-Sea © Ann Jackson

The third round of the Sailing Chandlery Enterprise National Circuit was hosted by Leigh on Sea Sailing Club. Seven boats turned out to test their light wind speed. With the wind blowing straight down the Thames Estuary against the tide we thought we would be in for day of consistent breeze and moderate shifts. Not so.

The first beat showed that you couldn't relax until you were round the mark, pressure differences and slightly random shifts across the water meant the fleet compressed and stretched over every leg of the trapezoid course. Newly returned to the Enterprise fleet and recent Inland Champions Nigel and Andy Bird led for too long. Whilst the Birds negotiated the back of the concurrent Vintage Solo Open local star Lloyd Walker and Daniel Novice snuck through to take the first win. Nigel and Andy second, Keith and Jackie Tyler showing good form third and Ann Jackson with guest crew Nick Scutt 4th.

The second race was similar although the light Force 2 wind had veered somewhat. Ann and Nick led for 2 laps but found the Solos in their pre-start melée near the Committee Boat half way up the beat held them up in the chop. The Birds and Lloyd both sneaked round the windward mark ahead having also benefited from the fickle wind backing to the original direction, finishing in that order with Ann and Nick third.

The third race's first leg was variously a beat, a reach and a run, settling eventually to give a course with no beat, and therefore rather processional. First over the line the Birds, second Ann and Nick, third Graham Kirkup and Susan Glass-Parker who had overtaken Lloyd when he capsized on a particularly vigorous roll tack.

Unfortunately, the result of the fourth race was marred by a procedural error by the Race Team. To avoid a potentially lengthy protest being mooted by a competitor the entire fleet opted to retire.

Overall Results: (top three)

1st 22456 Nigel and Andy Bird (RYA)
2nd 23349 Ann Jackson and Nick Scutt (Burghfield and Middle Nene Sailing Clubs)
3rd 22353 Lloyd Walker and Daniel Novice (Leigh on Sea Sailing Club)

Thank you to Leigh on Sea Sailing Club for hosting the event, making the most of the tricky conditions. Thank you Sailing Chandlery for your support.

Next National Circuit event at Ogston Sailing Club on 8th & 9th June.

Apologies to Oliver Groves.