The competitors were welcomed to Leigh Sailing Club in the morning with a good force 4 South-westerly, but not much water for the time being. Fortunately this allowed for a bacon sandwich, a hot drink and a briefing from our LSC Sailing Secretary, during which time the water arrived and so did a significant increase in the wind.

The afternoon began with seven Leigh boats and two visitors heading out onto the water for the competition, in the now strong force 5 winds. Unfortunately, before the racing had begun one Enterprise lost its mast, and another capsized only to discover a crack in the bulkhead which was now full of water. As a consequence the racing fleet was now reduced to 7 boats.

The first race saw a good start by most of competitors, with a difficult beat to the first mark in very strong, shifting winds. The visitors from Burghfield SC, helmed by Ann Jackson and crewed by Alan Skeens, made the most of the conditions and led all the way. A great first outing for Matt & Annie Tothill’s Enterprise saw them finish 2nd, with James Hudson and Harrison Floyd putting in a good performance for 3rd place. Bringing up the rear was Paul Knight and Shaun Orton, who managed to hold on for dear life, before capsizing at the end of the race and claiming 6th place.

More Enterprises were lost during race 2 for various reasons, including a broken kicker, a collision and a seasick crew! Race 2 was won again by the visitors from Burghfield, with Alan Roberts (who is new to Enterprise sailing) and crew Richard Beechy finishing 2nd. Unfortunately, Alan’s rudder stock decided it had had enough, and forced another retirement.

Only three boats left for the third race, and this required strong nerves, strong boats and a good deal of skill as the wind increased again. Another outstanding performance from Ann Jackson and Alan Skeens of Burghfield saw them finish in first place once more and deservedly take the Eastern Area Championship title. A brilliant effort from by the LSC Club boat, helmed by Phil Dowsett (also inexperienced in an Enterprise) and crewed by Harry Wright, saw them finish the race second and also take second overall, whilst our great friends Ian & Sue Simpson from Alexandra YC also enjoyed three very good races, but were just beaten into third by the scoring system. There were several inexperienced crews and a few helms new to Enterprise sailing, but most seemed to thoroughly enjoy the “demolition derby”. The strong winds were major a test for all the people and boats involved, but everyone agreed that it was definitely a lot of fun!

After the racing, everyone enjoyed a selection of fruit, cakes and a barbeque, whilst swapping their tales of sailing woes or delight over a cup of tea, or something a bit stronger! A fantastic day, perhaps not for some of the boats, but a huge thanks to all our visitors, competitors and helpers for making it such a great event. Look forward to seeing you next year.

Report by Paul Knight

Photographs by Liz Noblet

The Southern area GP14 Travellers series moved on to Leigh on Sea on Saturday 16th June. As usual on arrival at Leigh the sailing area was a dry area of muddy sand, so after rigging the competitors retired to the clubhouse for a bacon sandwich and a cup of coffee or tea, followed by a short briefing about the racing to follow. By now the tide had begun to cover the mudflats and with a SW breeze already blowing about force 4 a good days racing was expected.

Ten boats rigged and made their way out to the racing area, while the course was being laid the wind strength increased to about the top end of force 5, at least one boat felt this was too much and made a quick reach back to the slipway. The remaining boats set off into the short chop set up by the wind over tide conditions. Richard Hamm with Steve Browne crewing set the pace and never looked like being caught at any time around the course. Stephen Cooper made second place his followed initially by James Ward until he lost third place to M Matyzaszczuk.

Race two was started very quickly after a quick adjustment to the start line, again Richard and Steve hit the front and lead all the way round, followed by M Matyzaszczuk in second and Stephen Cooper third.

With the wind strengthening a little race three started with Richard and Steve again leading the depleted fleet of six boats. At the windward mark several boats were caught out by the change in the tide and three boats tangled with the mark and some capsized sorting themselves out. Keith Street and Hannah Liptrot made sure that they stayed clear to move into second place with Steve Corbet and Martin Fisher in third.

After racing all enjoyed a spread of tea and cakes with a BBQ to make sure everyone was fed before the journey home.

Report by Stephen Corbet

Photographs by Liz Noblet

To make this day a success we need to ask club members to help out if you can, it does not need to be all day, a couple of hours before or after racing is all that is needed for most of the tasks.

The attached pdf shows the jobs that need to be done!!

In particular I am reaching out to those of you who do not sail either an Enterprise or a GP14.

PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP AS SOON AS POSSIBLE

Steve Corbet (Sailing Secretary)

Attachments:

Ent GP Job Sheet 2018.pdf	[ ]	68 kB
GP14 Enterprise Open LSC SIs.pdf	[ ]	196 kB
Open Mtg Entry Form LSC.pdf	[ ]	112 kB

Could as many members as possible please collect their new club handbooks from the upstairs saloon

Thank you.

Message from your ever cost conscious Hon Secretary Tony Handfield.