Enterprise Open at Frensham Pond Sailing Club

The penultimate South East Area Enterprise meeting on 7th October saw a fleet of ten consisting of three visitors and seven home boats sharing the water with the GP14 Open and conditions were almost a repeat of last year.

The forecast for 8mph from the North pretty well held but the prediction that the wind would drop in the early afternoon caused discussions between the race officer, Hugh Marston, and class captains to conclude a reschedule for 2 races back-to-back before a later lunch in the hope that the wind would return in the afternoon.

In the first race Megan and Karen Ferguson got off to a good start and asserting themselves in the first lap but the energy and synchronisation shown by Martin Davies and Rebecca Bradley as they tacked on every shift paid of and they quickly took a commanding lead which they held until the end. They were initially followed by Ann Jackson and Alan Skeens with David Beaney and Alison White close behind but then home crew Nick Carr and Kaz Kawamura stole the 3rd position whilst David Beaney held 4th and Ann was forced back to 5th.

Race 2, following the same course, was very much a case of the 3 visitors accompanied by Megan Ferguson having their own tussle with no one else getting a look in. David Beaney had found his pace and took an early lead but as the wind dropped off a little Ann Jackson took the lead and then Megan Ferguson ensured that David Beaney was forced down to 3rd. Martin Davies had shown early promise again but was forced back to take the 4th place.

After a protracted lunch, because the unfortunate GP14s had suffered a further drop in the wind and did not finish their morning until somewhat later, the wind had returned a little to 6mph from the NW which brought about a course change and a restart at 2.45.

At this point Megan Ferguson, repeating last year's outing in the club hire boat, was in first ranking with two second places, but never managed to reach the front of the fleet. David Beaney led the field for the first lap but in the very slow and unpredictable conditions Ann Jackson and Martin Davies both overtook, finishing 1 – 2, followed by David Beaney and then Megan Ferguson.

Ann Jackson and Alan Skeens' two first places which gave them the Frensham Packard Cup and also meant that they took possession of the Enterprise Thames Valley Championship shield.

After the racing all were happy to chat in the clubhouse for a convivial tea with the prize giving by the Commodore, Jeremy Hudson, who had earlier been trying his hand at GP14 racing.

Overall Results: