Sailed under the burgee of Brixham YC
Whilst the Nationals at Brixham were blessed with some gloriously sunny days, the winds, particularly towards the end of the week, were generally light and variable. However, the new Champions, the brother sister team of Nick and Sheena Craig, coped amazingly well with the conditions to record four wins and four second places! Alan and Matt Johnson with three race wins were placed second on equal points with third placed Jeremy Stephens and Will Searle.
Day 1 – Practice Race and Race 1
After enjoying a convivial evening at Brixham YC, a beautiful dawn greeted the sailors. The winds were light for both the practice and the first pointsrace. The practice race was won by past Commodore Barry Moss crewed by Julie Moore with Ali Morrish and Charles Bowyer in second place. A familiar name took up his ‘usual position’ in the first Championship race. Nick and Sheena Craig won with Russell Short and Kate Fry in second and comparative new comers to Enterprise sailing Gareth Shaw and Verity Pope in third.
Day 2 – Races 2-3
The wind was blowing consistently from the south and reached force 4 in time for the first race of the day. The sea was reasonably flat for Torbay, which combined with the good wind produced some fast sailing with exciting reaches on the half mile off wind legs with some spectacular capsizes to keep the spectators entertained. First place went to father and son team, Alan and Matt Johnson, with Nick Craig and Sheena Craig second ahead of 2008 champion Tim Sadler crewed this year by his daughter Hannah. The wind increased still further for the second race of the day making the reaches on the flattish water truly exhilarating, and the gybes difficult for many. Nick and Sheena triumphed, winning from Alan and Matt with Jeremy Stephens and Will Searle in third.
Days 3 and 4 – Races 4-5
Tuesday was a miserable day. It was grey and murky with zero visibility and lots of rain. The heavy mist combined with a strong breeze meant that Race Officer, Robin Meads, had no option but to abandon racing for the day. Wednesday by contrast was glorious, if you intended to spend time on the beach. However the winds were extremely light and fluky. The fleet only managed to complete one lap of the course before it was shortened on the leeward mark. Those on the left hand side of the final leg lost out as boats towards the middle began to creep through. First place went to Nick and Sheena Craig with centre main kings and light wind specialists Pete Lawson and Jack Lawson second ahead of Paul and Tracy Hobson. For race 5 an Olympic course was set towards Paignton in the hope of making the best of the light south westerly breeze. The race was won by Alan and Matt who followed up their heavy weather win on Monday with a win on the most fickle of days. Nick and Sheena finished in second place ahead of Jane and Nick Scutt.
Day 5 - Race 6-7
Thursday was probably the most difficult and trying day for both race officer and competitors. A course was laid, but the 3 knots of recorded wind quickly disappeared before being discovered again inshore towards Paignton. It was a good sight from the shore to see the Ent fleet play ‘follow my leader’ across Torbay. When the race finally started things were further complicated when a very large tanker, the Prisco, anchored just off the leeward mark! First place went to Ann Jackson and Alan Skeens, with Nick Craig and Sheena Craig second and Ali Morrish and Charles Bowyer third. The second race of the day was equally trying, being described by the more polite as awful and dire. Nick and Sheena eventually took first place from 2008 NW Champions Mike and Verity Birch and Tim and Hannah Sadler.
Day 6 - Races 8-9
The final day of the Championships was hot and sunny. All looked promising as the fleet left the slip in 10–12 knots of wind. They were to be disappointed. The wind dropped dramatically to 2 – 3 knots and the race was shortened after one lap of the triangular course. Race 8 was won by Al Fry and Craig Wheatley with Nick and Sheena second and Tim and Hannah Sadler third. After delaying the start of the last race the OD and competitors were rewarded for their patience when the sea breeze filled to give enjoyable sailing conditions for the final race. Whilst Nick and Sheena retired to shore having won the Championship going into the final race three boats were fighting for 2nd-4th place. Alan and Matt Johnson won to take second place overall with Jeremy Stephens and Will Searle in second place and third overall with Paul and Tracy Hobson third. Jane Scutt crewed by husband Nick was 7th overall and was the first lady helm.
The prizes were presented to the competitors by Tony Bond, Assistant Commodore of Brixham YC. In his speech Nick Craig thanked Brixham Yacht Club for an excellent week of sailing and entertainment. Both Peter Dolling and Nick thanked the bar and galley staff (excellent food Chefs), the beach master, all at Brixham YC who had contributed to making this Championship such an enjoyable and special week. The social events included a Commodore’s Supper, a BBQ, Disco and Fancy Dress Party and prize giving dinner and early morning breakfast.
Special thanks must go to Noble Marine Insurance the sponsors of the Nationals and all our Championship events.
During the week the Enterprise Association photographer, Janice Bottomley, took pictures of the sailing. These can be found at www.sailaway.me.uk/ A professional photographer from fotoboat was on the water on the final day (Friday) of the Championships. You can find and order these photographs at www.fotoboat.com.
2009 Enterprise National Champions Nick and Sheena Craig with Brixham Vice Commodore Tony Bond and Paul Young
Ladies National Champion 2009 Jane Scutt with crew Nick Scutt
Overall Results
Link to Janice Bottomley's photographs here
Link to Fotoboat photographs here
Click here for 2008 report and results