The Enterprise Association UK

Barnt Green was the place to be this weekend – with a very competitive fleet of 23 enterprises - Action round the windward Mark.

congratulations to christian birrell and hannah sadler our new u21 champions and the first lady U21 helm kelsey suggitt and crew josh stuart

Day 1 – Race 1 – Good fleet of 22 boats launched in Force 2 -3 sunny, bright conditions. Being the first start the fleet were confused by an individual recall, which some assumed as a general recall and recrossed the line. At a very busy first windward mark Mike Wood/Hugh Brayshaw from Draycote led from Christian Birrell/Hannah Sadler with Alan Roberts/Rob Lea Pilkington following 3^rd who took the lead on the broad reach. On the 3^rd mark there was a great deal of confusion as to whether it should be passed on the port or to starboard. Christian/Hannah then broke clear to lead at the next windward mark followed by Mike/Hugh with Matt/Rachel 3^rd and with Lily Whitehead/Alex Dromgoole 4^th, Alan/Rob 5^th. Christian/Hannah built a huge lead in the race, followed by Matt/Rachel 2^nd (Matt retired at the end of the race), Mike/Hugh 3^rd, Alan/Rob 4^th.

Race 2 was started after lunch in overcast conditions but in slightly stronger wind conditions. After a general recall Mike/Hugh just led at the first mark from Lewis Kneale/Liam Parker, Chester S&CC, 3^rd Christian/Hannah, 4^th Matt/Rachel, 5^th Tom Hewitt/Hannah Adams from West Lancs SC. At the 2^nd windward mark Mike/Hugh led from Christian/Hannah and Matt/Rachel 3^rd and Tom/Hannah 4^th. Mike/Hugh built a huge lead down the run. At the start of the 2nd lap Mike/Hugh maintained their lead from Chris/Hannah, Matt/Rachel, Tom/Hannah all finished closely together. 5^{th, 6th}  was closely contested by Alan/Rob and Richard Pepperdine/Tom Keyes Staunton Harold SC.

Race 3 Started in overcast conditions and the strongest breeze of the day with an individual recall for Mike/Hugh. The fleet reached another busy first mark. Christian/Hannah rounded 1^st followed by Tom/Hannah with two Barnt Green boats Kelsey Suggitt/Josh Stuart and Rory Jones/Rachel Lennox in hot pursuit. Matt/Rachel managed to improve their position from 5^th  to 2^nd on the next lap.  At the third visit to the windward mark Christian/Hannah  were1^st,  2^nd Matt/Rachel, 3^rd Tom/Hannah, 4^th Alan/Rob, 5^th  Kelsey/Josh, 6th Mike/Hugh  Race 3 final positions were 1^st Christian/Hannah, 2^nd Matt/Rachel, 3^rd Tom/Hannah, 4^th Mike/Hugh, 5^th Richard/Tom. (Mike and Richard were very close over the line.

Day 2, Race 4 – 23 Enterprises saw a clean start in a Force 2 -3 with Christian/Hannah taking a 10 boat lead at the 1^st windward mark with Richard/Tom, Tom/Hannah, Matt/Rachel, Mike/Hugh bunched behind in hot pursuit. Calum Mackenzie/Rory Mackenzie capsized at the windward mark adding to the chaos. Christian/Hannah continued to build a big lead on the following beat. Matt/Rachel were 2^nd with Mike/Hugh and six others bunched  in close pursuit. On the beat at the start of the 2^nd lap Tom/Hannah sailed well getting 2^nd place with Mike/Hugh pulling up to 3^rd relegating Matt/Rachel to 4^th.   At the next windward mark Mike/Hugh 2^nd, Matt/Rachel 3^rd, Tom/Hannah 4^th. Tom/Hannah established inside water on Mike/Hugh, Matt/Rachel at the jibe mark but unfortunately hit the ;mark and had to take a penalty turn. Very close racing in the next beat saw Mike/Hugh doing a 720 turn. Matt/Rachel regained 2^nd place with Tom/Hannah 3^rd. At the finish Christian/Hannah won the race by some four and three quarter minutes, Matt/Rachel 2^nd, Tom/Hannah 3^rd, Mike/Hugh 4^th, Richard/Tim 5^th and Carl Beck/Cerys Butcher West Lancs YC 6^th

Race 5 started in a slightly stronger breeze that built throughout the race. The start line was chaotic, especially at the leeward end. Richard/Tom led at the first mark from Mike/Hugh with Christian/Hannah 3^rd. Matt/Rachel were 4^th, Kelsey/Josh 5^th. Mike/Hugh edged past Richard/Tom on the run to lead by 2 boat lengths at the leeward mark. James Morgan/Sean Bates Wigan SC, unfortunately capsized at the leeward mark. Richard/Tom passed Mike/Hugh on the following reach but were unable to maintain this position, allowing Mike/Hugh to round the jibe mark on the inside. Richard/Tom regained the lead on the following beat after some very close racing with Mike/Hugh in hot pursuit in 2^nd and Matt/Rachel some considerable distance behind in 3^rd, 4^th was Kelsey/Josh and 5^th Lewis/Liam all very close to Matt/Rachel. Good sailing by Mike/Hugh on the next beat saw them start the following run ahead of Richard/Tom, who continued to apply pressure downwind. A very close tacking battle on the last beat saw Mike/Hugh take the winning gun just ahead off Richard/Tom 2^nd, Matt/Rachel 3^rd with Tom/Hannah closely behind him 4^th, Kelsey/Josh 5^th and Lewis/Liam.

Special Note in Results – THE VINCENT TROPHY(First Helm under 15) was jointly won by CHRISTOPHER WINTERS/IAIN LEIPER FROM MIDLAND SC and JOSH BENNETT/TOBY GUNDY-WHITE FROM TODDBROOK SC

The U21 National Championship was concluded with Prizegiving, where special thanks were given to our Sponsors Noble Marine, the galley, bar and race team. A special plaque was presented to Barnt Green Sailing Club. It was an excellent event 23, U21 competitors is very good news for the future of the Enterprise Fleet and a provisional booking has been made for next year’s U21 National event at Barnt Green. This events success is possible due to the support the U21’s get from Enterprise Sailors, Parents, Friends, Committee members – the thanks are wide ranging but it was truly worth it to enjoy such a memorable event. Further detailed reports and pictures will be publicised in The Enterprise Diary, on the NEWLY LAUNCHED ENTERPRISE WEBSITE sailenterprise.org.uk, Yachts and Yachting and other sailing publications

To view results click here and click here for video

Click here for the 2008 Under 21 Championship rep[ort and results.