Sail Chat 7th September-Enterprise & Comet Open
Four local boats and three visitors competed for the Enterprise Hampton Cup and the final of the Thames Valley River Series. 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 Cooper 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.
This open was held jointly with the Hampton Comet Versa Fleet. The Race Officer set separate class starts and courses and their were no instances of the fleets having difficulties with each other.
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. 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.
The second and third races were held back to back in the opposite direction with a dog leg off Bell Hill. In the second race, once again Ann and Alan showed their strong wind credentials and were easy winners. The third race in similar conditions was extremely gusty and blew Ian and Sarah over 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.
We are grateful to the race team, timekeepers, caterers and barman for their efforts, helping to make for an energetic and enjoyable day. The results are 1st Ann Jackson/ Alan Skeens Burgfield E 23170, 2nd Ian/Jo Macgregor Lensbury E 23224, 3rd Chris Rowsell/ Alastair Stewart Lensbury E 23225, 4th Jane Chambers/Ellen Cooper Hampton E23162, 5th Ian Peerless/Susie Peerless/ Sarah Peacock Hampton E 22559, 6th Sarah Rolf/Sue Morley/ Paul Wennekes Hampton E 23160 and 7th Philip Chambers/ Sophie Penwarden Hampton E 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 Event
6 Comets took part and it was great to see youngsters out with Philip Dalby, and James Warren and Dave Gettings. Philip Dalby was 1st , James Warren and crew second and George and Chris Bell 3rd. Great credit to Angela Penwarden for taking part.
Philip Chambers HSC Enterprise Fleet Rep.
Last updated 2:08pm on 8 September 2025