The priceless prize

News of this year's Endeavour Trophy for the best UK dinghy sailors

Preparations are now well underway for this year’s prestigious Endeavour Trophy, to be held over the weekend of the 8th and 9th of October at the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club, Burnham.

The event is by invitation only to those British dinghy sailors who have either won a National, European, or World title in their class. The winner of the weekend of racing is crowned the dinghy racing ‘Champion of Champions’. The list of previous winners reads like a who’s who of British dinghy racing talent over the past four decades: Laurie Smith, Eddie Warden Owen, Ian Pinnel and Jim Hunt amongst others.

Organised and hosted by the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club in Burnham this year’s event sees several significant changes to make the event easier and more enjoyable for sailors to attend.

Key to this year is the news that the racing will be in matched, brand new, Topper Topaz Xenons. This new design, launched over the summer is a perfect vehicle for the Endeavour – no one has ever sailed it before and the boat is expected to be more manageable than the incumbent RS400. All 30 boats will be at the club and so no sailor who has entered will need to embark on the often difficult task of bringing their own boat to compete in; a simple case of turning up with your sailing gear.

The schedule has also been changed to include an optional day of practice/coaching on the Friday 7th October before racing commences on Saturday morning. This will enable all sailors to get acquainted with the boat and receive some expert coaching. This day is sponsored by TNG, a national training company specialising in the provision of recruitment, training, consultancy, mentoring and business support service for individuals and organisations.

The two days of racing will be as difficult and demanding as ever, with the startline comprising of the best dinghy sailors in the country, there will be no easy options. The back to back races will again be held on the River Crouch, itself a testing patch of water not for the faint hearted.

A big dinner on the Saturday night will provide a perfect opportunity to fuel up and soak up the Endeavour atmosphere and meet and chat with fellow invited Champions.

The racing days are sponsored by Holt (company founder Beecher Moore created the event back in 1961 and sourced the now priceless trophy) and are providing a variety of gifts and prizes to those competing. TheDailySail.com is a supporting sponsor.

Invitations have been sent out to 47 sailors with places limited to 30 on a first come, first served basis. First to accept the challenge was OK World Champion, RS 400 National Champion and defending Endeavour Champion, Nick Craig.

Other confirmed entries include Laser National and European Champion, and Team GBR Athens Olympic sailor Paul Goodison; GP 14 National Champion Graham Nelson and Laser 4000 National Champion Andy Palmer-Felgate.

Those listed below who have not received their personal invitation sent via their class secretary are encouraged to contact the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club (01621 782105) to secure their entry.

420	Matt Burge & Chris Evans
29er	Huw Humphries & Max Todd
49er	Stevie Morrison & Ben Rhodes
505	TBC
Albacore	Chris Turner Simon Maguire
B14	Matthew Searle & Andy Ramus
Blaze	Steve Cockeril
Cadet	Stephen Videlo & James Joplin
Comet	Bill Webber
Contender	Tim Holden
Enterprise	Tim Sadler & Richard Salt
Fevas	TBC
Finn	TBC
Fireball	David Edwards & Dan Newman
Fireball	Chips &
Firefly	Dr Anthony Gunstone
GP14	Grham Nelson & Mike Senior
Hornet	Micheal Mac
Int 14	Alistair Richardson Dan Johnson
ISO	Lloyd Walker
Lark	Sarah Richards & Nigel Wakefield
Laser	Paul Goodison
Laser 2	FIRST RESERVE
Laser4000	Andy Palmer-Felgate
Laser Radial	Steve Cockeril
Merlin Rocket	Phil King & Linton Jenkins
Miracle	Sam Mettem & Geoff Philips
Mirror	Hecotr & Bill Cisneros
Musto Skiff	Ian Trotter
National 12	Graham Cam & Zoe Ballantyne
OK	Steve Dunn
Osprey	Tim Rush & Andrew Elliot
Phantom	Simon Childs
RS200	Craig Benton & Fiona Clark
RS400	Nick Craig & James Stewart
RS600	Dan Dixon
RS800	TBC
Scorpion	John Mursell & Nick Keast
Solo	Jamie Lea
Splash	Chris Schonhut
Streaker	Ian Jones
Supernova	Mike Gibson
Topper	Bleddyn Mon