Allen, North Sails and Selden Enterprise National Championships - Day 1

Dave and Chris Jackman win race 2 on day 1 of the Allen, North Sails & Selden Enterprise Nationals at Mount's Bay © Martyn Curnow

Despite a drizzly start to day 1 of the Allen, North sails and Selden Enterprise Nationals competitors were keen to get on the water.

By the time the beachmaster released the fleet to launch the skies were clearing and a steady South Westerly breeze was settling in.

The race team showed great organisation, switching from a line start for the Ospreys to a gate start for the Ents. The challenge was to get both fleets away with a suitable separation and this was achieved with both fleets able to focus on their own racing.

Gate Start carnage on day 1 of the Allen, North Sails & Selden Enterprise at Mount's Bay - photo © Martyn Curnow

Phil Ford and Jane Humpage picked a perfect first beat to round the windward mark first, followed By Dave and Chris Jackman, Sarge and Eloise with Tim Sadler and Chris Keatley fourth. Phil held his lead to the leeward mark with the Jackmans only making slight progress in closing the gap, meanwhile Tim and Chris had slipped by Sarge and were closing on the top 2.

Dave and Chris worked hard up the second beat managing to pull up to Phil and Jane. Both teams were so focused on their boat speed they headed for the more distant Osprey Windward mark over-staying their own mark by some way. Tim and Chris seized the opportunity to round first with Phil holding second, Sarge 3rd, Dave and Chris were now fighting for 4th with Paul Hobson and Craig Wheatley. The dead run saw Tim and Chris pull away while there was still plenty of racing for the rest of the Podium.

Alice and James with Mr and Mrs Birdie on day 1 of the Allen, North Sails & Selden Enterprise at Mount's Bay - photo © Martyn Curnow

Tim and Chris sealed the deal with Sarge and Eloise 2nd and Paul and Craig 3rd.

After a smart turnaround and a black flag start for the Ospreys both fleets were away again for Race 2. Paul and Craig were getting into the rhythm and led at the windward mark followed by Dave and Chris with Matt and Ivan Jaycock 3rd Darren Roach and Hayley Ramadhar 4th.

Jack and Fleur from Looe on day 1 of the Allen, North Sails & Selden Enterprise at Mount's Bay - photo © Martyn Curnow

Gear failure played its part in Race 2 with Paul Hobson and Phil Ford having to retire at the Leeward Mark while Matt and Ivan had to drop their mainsail to replace a shackle before completing the second reach. Dave and Chris took the opportunity to make good on their mistake in the previous race and grabbed the lead with both hands while Darren and Hayley moved up to 2nd, Tim and Chris 3rd and Local Duo Jeremy and Becca Stephens 4th.

Both fleets enjoyed a great Social evening together with Ken Brown from the Ospreys compering a manic Sheppey Raffle that went down a storm, raising over £200 for the local RNLI.

Looe boats Joe and Jack with Callum and Conor on day 1 of the Allen, North Sails & Selden Enterprise at Mount's Bay - photo © Martyn Curnow

Results after Day 1:

Race 1:

Race 2: