Sailing Chandlery Enterprise National Circuit Round 8 at Looe Sailing Club

Simon Bennet and Scarlet Crago during the Sailing Chandlery Enterprise National Circuit event at Looe © Neil Richardson

Dave and Chris Jackman win the Sailing Chandlery Enterprise National Circuit event at Looe © Neil Richardson

Enterprise sailors travelled from as far afield as Ogston in Derbyshire, to take part in round 8 of The Sailing Chandlery's National Circuit, hosted by Looe Sailing Club at the weekend.

18 entries prepared for what looked like a 5 to 6 Knot light breeze day. After dying away to nothing the wind eventually settled in from the West and stayed steady around 12 knots for the remainder of the day.

With 3 National Championship winning Helms and Crews on the entry list the level of competition was intense, everyone was fighting hard for every inch over the water.

Dave and Chris Jackman Looe's 2018 National Champions worked the conditions well and pulled out a healthy lead in the first race. Paul Hobson and Craig Wheatley, who had brought the national title back to Looe in 2019, took 2nd, with Jeremy and Lloyd Williams of Penzance SC showing their quality sailing skills taking 3rd.

Race 2 saw Dave and Chris push on again leaving the fleet to battle behind them. Paul and Craig took 2nd with Matt and Ivan Jaycock completing an all Looe Top 3.

The breeze remained steady in direction and speed for Race 3 and the conditions clearly suited Dave and Chris who made it 3 out of 3 on day one. Paul and Craig battled for 2nd and 3rd places with Matt and Ivan. Some great racing ensued with Matt and Ivan securing 2nd.

A great days racing was topped off when one of the helms chose the sail in to propose to his girlfriend who sails with him. Having sailed all day with a diamond ring tucked in his lifejacket Darren popped the question as they sailed in the river and Hayley said yes. The club members and travelling competitors and families celebrated with a great evening social where local band Division knocked out some great tunes in the Clubhouse.

The conditions pushed up a notch for Sunday with a 16 to 18 Knot North Westerly breeze providing some shifty conditions to deal with.

Paul and Craig put Dave and Chris under serious pressure for race 4 but Dave and Chris held on to make the event win theirs with a race to spare. Jeremy and Becca Stephens, 2017 National Champions, from Penzance completed the top 3 with Matt and Ivan 4th.

Race 5 saw the Breeze at its freshest and with some tired competitors heading in for an early shower the remaining 14 boats continued to race hard, this time Jeremy and Becca took the win with Matt and Ivan 2nd, Matt Rawson and Chris Keatley of Ogston and Penarth Sailing Clubs 3rd.

Well done to Dave and Chris who took the overall prize, Paul and Craig 2nd, Matt and Ivan 3rd. Tom McLaren and Dan Blewett were the first under 21 pairing, while Eloise Jaycock and Connor Langham were the first two Junior crews.

Thanks to all the Volunteers who worked so hard on and off the water to make this another classic weekend.

Overall Results: