Nationals Final Day Report from South Shields

RESULTS 

 

Congratulations to Nick Craig and Toby Lewis on becoming Enterprise National Champions for 2026.

With three races scheduled and only four points between the two leading boats there was still all to play for, resulting in match racing tactics being employed at various points during the racing. Nick & Toby came out on top by three points in Race 7 while Tim Sadler & Richard Sault got the difference back to four with their win in Race 8. The match racing in Race 9 then caused some confusion among the rest of the fleet!

 

Race 7 F2 Northerly

Shortly after the start the wind dropped away to a zephyr, some had gone left hoping for a little less tide while others had chosen the right hoping for the forecast gentle veer. In the event progress was determined by those fortunate enough to find patches of pressure rather than calm. Charles Morrish & Dan Swaffield were looking good for a time coming in from the left while Phil Ford & Jane Humpage were the leaders on the right. The 30 minute cut off for the leading boat to reach the windward mark was getting closer. Eventually Phil & Jane made it with 3 minutes to spare! They were followed by Andy & Emma Smith, Charles & Dan and James & Stephen Driver. Phil went on to take the gun with Andy second. Down the run Nick & Toby were closing and managed to pull past the two boats ahead with a smart final mark rounding to take third. Charles and James crossed the line side by side to only one sound signal as James had been black flagged so Charles & Dan took fourth.

Silver Fleet winners: Oli Boocock & Luke Hartshorn; Runners up: Andy Gomm & Daisy Ross

Bronze Fleet winners: Mile Heap & Hester Poon; Runners up: Mike Shipway & Andrew Nel

Race 8 F2 Northerly

The wind had come back up to F2 and settled in pressure so the RO got the fleet away in short order. James & Stephen Driver rounded the windward mark ahead of Tim Sadler & Richard Sault. They held that for the first lap but up the second beat Tim & Richard came through to lead and were never headed. Behind them James & Stephen held on to second while a mad squeeze at the final mark saw Phil Ford & Jane Humpage come in just ahead of Nick & Toby with Martin & Abigail Honor just behind in fifth

Siver Fleet winners: James & Stephen Driver; Runners up: Esther & Brian Bowdler

Bronze Fleet winners: Ian Macintyre & Fi Foulkes; Runners up: James & Owen Holdaway

Race 9 F2 Northerly

Alice Allen & Karen Alexander came out like a rocket and rounded windward mark first closely followed by Jeremy Stephens & Rebecca Bradley and James & Stephen Driver.  Jeremy got into the lead downwind, then went left up the beat with James and Alice taking a middle line. The rest of the fleet, headed by Phil Ford & Jane Humpage went right.  Alice & Karen got stuck in the left/middle and just stopped, dropping from 2nd place to 13th; meanwhile Jeremy lead to the finish but he and James had been black flagged (along with Chris & Leo Fry) giving Phil & Jane 1st place overall, Martin & Abigail Honnor 2nd and Andy & Emma Smith 3rd.

Silver Fleet winners: Esther & Brian Bowdler; Runners up: Johnny & Libby Allen

Bronze Fleet winners: Ian Macintyre & Fi Foulkes; Runners up: Mike Heap & Hester Poon

This event has seen a resurgence in the fleet with an original 42 entries the largest number since before covid. Whilst there were a number of ‘returners’ there were also several first timers including a number of young competitors particularly in the front seat. Richard Critchley crewed by Emily Fox was the highest place first timer at any Nationals event, others had competed in Nationals for other classes. However special mention must go to Sophie Forbes and Izzy Beechey sailing an Enterprise at a Nationals for the first time at the age of 15.

First Lady helm was Ann Jackson crewed by Alan Skeens, and thus winner of ‘Iris’ Bowl’. Jane Humpage was first lady (either helm or crew) and received the giant ‘Mary Arnold Baker Trophy’

It was also good to see sailors from other fleets (apart from Nick Craig!), with GP (Andy Smith) and National 12 (Ian MacIntyre) sailors joining in.

In fact Andy & Emma Smith, in Andy’s own words, “hit the sweet spot” for prizes as they picked up the ‘Rolling Pin Trophy’ for first married couple as well as the ‘Steve Nicholson Trophy’ for fourth place overall.

Silver Fleet winners overall were Andy Gomm and Daisy Ross (Ogston SC) with Esther and Brain Bowdler (Looe SC) runners up.

Bronze Fleet winners overall were Ian Macintyre and Fi Foulkes (Loch Tummel SC) while Mike Heap and Hester Poon (Ogston SC) were runners up.

There was great support from sponsors including Selden Masts; Marine Chandlery; Harken; Stewart Brewing; HD Sails; Coast to Coast Riggings; DV Marine; Coast 2 Coast Massage; Noble Marine Insurance and BPI Asset Advisory/BPI Auctions.

Nick Craig, in his closing speech, made particular reference to the wonderful efforts of those many volunteer members of South Shields SC who ran a most successful event – it was greeted with tremendous applause reflecting how much the event had been enjoyed by all who attended.

Images courtesy of 

Duncan Henry (on the water)

Alistair Middlemiss (Prize Giving)