Enterprise Hampton Cup and Comet Versa open meeting at Hampton Sailing Club
by Philip Chambers & Tim Herbert-Smith 11 Sep 13:04 PDT
7 September 2025
Enterprise Hampton Cup © Paul Wennekes
Four local boats and three visitors competed for the Enterprise Hampton Cup and the final of the Thames Valley River Series combined with the inaugural HSC Comet Versa Open in which seven Comets competed, crewed by a great mix of young and old with ages ranging from 3 to 78!
Well-organised course setting and timing by the Duty Officer Nigel Cooper & his team ensured that the classes were kept well apart and results accurately recorded, there were no instances of the fleets having difficulties with each other.
At first the conditions were relatively benign for the first race down river with a south easterly blowing. This increased throughout the day, gradually veering more and more to the south and eventually to a south, south westerly. Race Officer Nigel set a long course down river to a mark opposite the slip at Hurst Park and then a reach run up to a mark below Platts Ait.
The sailing off the club reach was good and, at times, with exciting reaches but the channel between Garricks Ait and the Middlesex bank was demanding as the increased breeze veered, backed and bounced off both banks.
For the Enterprises in the first race Ann Jackson and crew Alan Skeens flew away never to be caught after a strenuous race of an hour and a bit, followed by the pack, who exchanged places a number of times, apart from Ian and Jo Macgregor who stayed a steady second. There was one capsize during this race in the channel.
In a closely fought race for the Comets the leading three boats frequently swapped places. James Warren in Petena IV crewed by 3 year old Elodie & Charlie led for much of the race but was overtaken on the last lap by Phil Dalby & Sammy in Cherry Pie & George & Chris Bell in Poppy.
A well-earned lunch was then provided by the excellent catering team helping to fortify competitors for the afternoon races.
The breeze had veered by the early afternoon so the first mark for the second and third race was upriver, with a dogleg off bell hill to give a short beat. By this time gusts were becoming more frequent and stronger, for the Enterprises in the second race, once again Ann and Alan showed their strong wind credentials and were easy winners.
This increase in wind led to a capsize by the Comet class captain in Popeye and a couple of retirements, however the leading three boats from the first Comet race mastered the conditions well.
This time Cherry Pie established a good lead early on and was not to be caught. Petena was second and Poppy third. Special mention should be made of young Sasha who bravely crewed the sailing secretary in SwyNDon but unfortunately had to retire having missed a mark.
The third race in similar conditions was extremely gusty and blew two Enterprises over, Ian and Sarah in the channel and Ian and Jo over in front of the club, the rest of the fleet were fortunate to survive capsize, gusts were recorded of over 20 mph.
For the Comets in the third race the fleet was reduced to four starters, two of the competitors having unfortunately suffered bangs on the head in the previous race. Prompt and expert treatment by the shore team ensured they were well-looked after and fully recovered. James Warren & Phil Dalby showed their expertise sailing single-handed this time in challenging gusts to bring Petena home first followed by Cherry Pie & Poppy.
Well done to all the juniors that took part in some challenging conditions - more sweets needed next time!
We are grateful to the race team, timekeepers, caterers and barman for their efforts, helping to make for an energetic and enjoyable day.
Enterprise results:
1st Ann Jackson & Alan Skeens Burgfield - 23170
2nd Ian & Jo Macgregor Lensbury - 23224
3rd Chris Rowsell & Alastair Stewart Lensbury - 23225
4th Jane Chambers & Ellen Cooper - Hampton - 23162
5th Ian Peerless & Susie Peerless/ Sarah Peacock - Hampton - 22559
6th Sarah Rolf & Sue Morley & Paul Wennekes - Hampton - 23160
7th Philip Chambers & Sophie Penwarden - Hampton - 23218
The Hampton Enterprise Cup, The River Series Cup and the Ladies Cup was won by Ann and Alan. The River Series Silver Cup was won by Ian and Jo.
Comet Versa results:
1st Cherry Pie - 226 - Phil Dalby & Sammy
2nd Petena IV - 290 - James Warren & Elodi & Charlie
3rd Poppy - 355 - George & Chris Bell
4th Popeye - 317 - Tim Herbert-Smith
5th Merlin - 260 - Peter Norrey
6th SwyNDon - 306 - David Gettings & Sasha
6th Indy - 220 - Angela Penwarden/Sophie