Enterprise Severnside Series Round 3 at Bristol Corinthian Yacht Club

BCYC hosted the third event of the 2022 Severnside Series on 15th May. Six local boats were joined by Richard Leach from Penarth and the widely travelled Paul Young from Midland SC.

The Race Officer set a trapezoidal course which saw places change on every leg in one or more races. Interesting shifts meant plenty of place changes on the beat whilst a few puffs allowed boats to plane over or under other boats on the reaches. Decisions on when to gybe on the run often proved decisive.

Steve Higgs crewed by Grace Williamson led race one until the final leg when Paul Young with Aimee Alsopp managed to plane under him to the leeward end of the finish line. Grace's father crewed by BCYC veteran Bryan Smith were sixth ahead of BCYC Vice Commodore Richard Packer in his newly purchased Enterprise 13187 on its first competitive outing. Richard went on to slowly improve through the day as he learnt the nuances of Enterprise racing.

In race two Ian Wakeling passed Paul Young by gybing early on the final run after numerous place changes throughout the race.

As the afternoon races started so did the rain, but this was quickly forgotten in the intense racing as the wind picked up. Richard Leach with local crew Karl Evans, in his first race for many years, led for a while before being overtaken by Paul and Ian who finished in that order.

In the final race Ian and Natalie got away from Paul who was continually challenged by Steve. Despite a dropping wind and some significant shifts on the last beat Ian remained ahead to win the event based on best result in the last race.

There was close racing throughout the fleet with plenty of place changing and final positions defined by only one point.

Special mention should go to Malcolm Williamson for his efforts to protect his crew from getting wet. As a sudden lull found them about to capsize to windward and both unable to get back off the toe straps, Malcolm gallantly slipped out of the boat allowing Bryan to stay dry and rescue Malcolm.

Overall Results: