Enterprise are Goa

With numbers hitting 23,000 the Enterprise class is still on top

With few chances to change the hull or deck layouts what development there is has been focussed on the rig. Latest masts have been stiffened with a sleeve and North Sails, taking moulds produced for the Tornado jib and the 470 main during their Olympic programme, have produced a suit of radial cut Enterprise sails, that incorporate shape and construction that they found to have a significant performance gain.

One piece of gear that has been the subject of much heart searching in the class is the lowly jib stick, recently raised to superstar status by some of the top Indian crews, when they appeared at the UK 2001 Nationals with a long-spike pole. The rules measured the pole overall and by shortening the pole and adding a long spike they were able to use it to sheet the jib wider on the reaches with improved performance, particularly in flat water conditions.

The long spike was deemed to be a potential danger and they refrained from using them at the Nationals. The class has applied for a rule change to the ISAF, to measure to the bearing surface. However, due to the time it takes to get a simple rule change through this body the long spike pole will be legal at the Worlds in Goa this April. With the chance of a home win will the Indian crews be as agreeable this time?

The Goa event seems to have caught the imagination of top British crews with reigning champion Ian Pinnell defending and new UK Champion Richard Estaugh leading the British entry, with Nick Craig, Roger Gilbert and Ian Fisher all expected. The Irish have a good entry with Shane MacCarthy who finished third behind Estaugh and Pinnell at the UK Nationals expected.

Leading the Indian competitors will be regular UK visitors, Aashim Mongia, Naresh Yadev and Farokh Tarapore, Mongia finished third at the last Worlds held at Mounts Bay in 2000.

The Enterprise has an extensive UK racing circuit and although the main championships have retained a good entry, some open meetings suffered from the breakdown in club class racing. In a move to boost entries a new Travellers Series of five events to run simultaneously with selected Area Championships was adopted two years ago and this has proved very successful, each of the events attracting over forty boats and the formula remains this season.

Page three for copy of report of Enterprise Channel crossing in 1956......