Phil Kirk and Sarah Gregson finished ninth in the Boat show Pursuit Race at ExCel with David and Alex Beaney 24th. Single handers filled the first 7 places Phantom 1, Streaker 2 &3, Finn 4&5 and Solo 6th.
The fifth battle of the classes, pursuit race, sponsored by Yachts and Yachting, took place on Sunday 18th January 2009 on the Royal Victoria Dock alongside ExCell Boat Show. This is an excellent location for dinghy racing watchers especially. You can view the whole race course from a pedestrian bridge that spans the middle of the dock and its even high enough for the mast of a Thames A Rater to go under.
This years race was run very efficiently and simply by Officers of Royal Corinthian Yacht Club and a most amusing commentary was given over the public address system by our old friend, on the sailing circuit, Richard (Animal) Parslow. The course was an effective windward leeward with a gate on the windward leg. In total contrast to the Bloody Mary it was sailed in a fresh to strong south westerly with some demanding gusts. It blew straight down the dock and the black gusts could easily be seen from the bridge but not always on the water.
Our Enterprise Class was ably represented by the required team of two boats sailed by Philip Kirk and Sarah Gregson and David Beaney and his son Alex Beaney. With the sixth start at 1223 Philip and Sarah got away slightly in front of David and Alex but both boats maintained close contact for the first lap. As this is also a team race both were careful not to obstruct each other. As the wind freshened for the second lap it was exciting to see them rounding the windward mark and powering away down wind in a shower of spray. Jib sticks were in play but a very sharp lookout was required as by now the Rater, skiffs and even large cats were reaching down wind at considerable speed.
David and Alex got one of the beats wrong going too close to the edge of the dock, where the wind swirled and died and fell behind Philip and Sarah but both boats continued to overtake slower classes. David and Alex also had a moment out of control going down wind and right under the bridge and our gaze. A broach was followed by a large wobble and some water being taken aboard however a skilled recovery was made but it lost them some ground. After the race Alex was anxious that this moment should have been recorded on film for his face book but I did not have a camera with me! I put these minor errors, from two such experienced sailors together, down to lack of practice and Alex enjoying the decadent life of a student!
Philip and Sarah continued to sail, from my viewpoint, the perfect race following their superb form at the Bloody Mary. They came 9th overall and well into the prizes. David and Alex came a very respectable 26th. In fact Yachts and Yachting excelled in giving all those completing the race a small stainless model yacht. The prizes were presented by Richard Parslow who wasboth witty and entertaining, he was also at pains to especially acknowledge those juniors taking part - which was a nice touch.
There were 51 starters with 41 finishers, 17 national champions took part, the Streakers won the team prize and Andy Couch, who also won the Bloody Mary was first in a Phantom. He didn't come to the prize giving, no doubt, being too bashful. On behalf of the Enterprise Association I would like to thank our two very sporting teams for not only did they sail in the spirit of the event they represented our class at an International event watched by thousands. Finally thanks to Glenn Cole who was the other half of the support team.
Philip Chambers. South East Area Coordinator Enterprise Association.