Allen, North Sails and Selden Enterprise National Championships - Day 3

Matt and Vicky from Ogston SC on day 3 of the Allen, North Sails & Selden Enterprise Nationals at Mount's Bay © Martyn Curnow

Tuesday morning at Mount's Bay saw a number of competitors looking nervously out to sea as big winds and white horses lashed across the bay. Race officer Malcolm Woolcock decided to hold the Enterprise fleet ashore until the Ospreys had completed their first race. With the winds abating slightly and the sun out, the fleet looked forward to two races in perfect conditions with sunshine and big waves.

By the start of Race 5 though the wind was building again. Callum Dingle and Conor Langan from Looe were pathfinders, Paul Hobson and Craig Wheatley soon pulled out into the lead, which they held to the finish giving them another well-earned first position. Darren Roach and Hayley Ramadhar fought their way to second place, with Tim Sadler and Chris Keatley getting the shifts right on the last beat to gain third place overall at the finish line just ahead of Martin Honnor and Gabe Hill in fourth.

The fleet on day 3 of the Allen, North Sails & Selden Enterprise Nationals at Mount's Bay - photo © Martyn Curnow

Further down the pack, the challenging conditions saw a number of capsizes at the gybe mark and on the downwind legs, with the combination of gusts and waves catching out several boats. For many though these were the conditions for which Mounts Bay is famous and there were exhausted grins from both helms and crews as they crossed the downwind finish line.

Race 6 started in steady 20 knot winds with occasional gusts reported to be up to 27 knots. Dave Jackman and Chris Jackman were pathfinder boat making the best of the right hand side of the race track to get into the lead. Martin Honnor and Gabe Hill continued their form to cross the line in second place with Paul Hobson and Craig Wheatley third. Loving the big waves local sailors Jeremy and Becca Stephens were fourth closely followed by Steve Blackburn and Tim Brownell in fifth place. Jane and Nick Scutt played the shifts to work their way up to eighth place, putting her well in the lead for the Ladies Trophy ahead of Ann Jackson and Alan Skeens. Steve Sargent and Eloise Jaycock made a massive improvement in Race 6 getting to 10th place, giving them the race improver prize.

Jer and Becca from Penzance SC on day 3 of the Allen, North Sails & Selden Enterprise Nationals at Mount's Bay - photo © Martyn Curnow

The evening saw the Osprey and Enterprise fleets invited to visit St Michael's Mount, where the sailors and their guests enjoyed a private tour of the castle and wine on the ramparts in the evening sun. The party then continued in the Mounts Bay Sailing Club, with the band getting everyone to forget about their aching limbs and enjoy a night of dancing and drinking.

Sailing in white horses on day 3 of the Allen, North Sails & Selden Enterprise Nationals at Mount's Bay - photo © Martyn Curnow

The evening's revelries may be a cause for regret for some of the fleet, as the weather forecast for Friday is predicting unsailable conditions and 40 knot winds. The Enterprise Class Association and Race Officer Malcolm Woolcock has made the decision to send the fleet out for three races on Wednesday (usually reserved as the mid week rest day) which promises perfect 14-18 knot westerlies and sunshine.

Results after Day 3: