Golden year

The Enterprise class shares their news of 2006 and looks towards 2007

The Enterprise class celebrated 50 years of thoroughly enjoyable and competitive racing and cruising in 2006.

A World and National Championships were held in the UK, (the association re-joined the ‘100 club’) a high profile Tideway Race, a re-enactment of the Channel crossing, Masters, dinners and lots of birthday celebrations as well. It all made for a truly memorable time.

The Enterprise Association are making sure that anyone can enjoy the great success of the Enterprise through the years when they invite all comers to visit them on Stand C12 at this year’s Dinghy Show. Along with lots of information and the opportunity to meet Enterprise sailors and join the Association, the stand features E1, a beautiful wooden boat that happens to be the first Enterprise ever built. E1 made her name and history when she took part in the breathtaking night Channel crossing back in the sixties. In total contrast visitors will be able to view a fabulous Rondar boat (the very latest One – Design Enterprise) on loan courtesy of Pinnell & Bax.

The two boats demonstrate the longevity of the design (23,000 boats have been built since the intrepid E1 set sail) and its’ enduring popularity amongst sailors from all over the world. The Enterprise remains One Design and is seen as one of the most versatile sailing dinghies in the world, covering everything from first time sailing, cruising the creeks and closely contested racing.

Sailors who enjoyed the spectacle of the Worlds and Nationals last year can re-live the moment through some clever planning. The Enterprise National Championships take place at South Caernarvonshire YC, Abersoch, from 4 - 10 August, closely followed by the World Championships being held a stone’s throw away in the following week. The Worlds’ take place in Dun Laoghaire, Ireland from12 - 17 August. A ferry ride gets you from one to the other.

Other top events planned for 2007 include an Inland Championships at new venue, Burton SC on 28 - 29 April, a Masters Championships at the ever popular venue of Grafham SC on 16 - 17 June and an Under 21 Championships being held at Barnt Green on 8 - 9 September.