Enterprise shows class at Looe

The Enterprise UK Nationals start Sunday and will see world class competitors continuing their battle for the title

The Enterprise class has been around a long time - in fact since 1956 when 250 boats were built. Now in 2001 the venerable class is still going strong with sail numbers over 22,900 - one of designer Jack Holt's greatest successes in a glittering list.

The class was one of the leaders in the great dinghy boom of the 60s, numbers growing by over two thousand a year at their peak and at a steady five hundred for years - how modern designers and builders would love just a part of those numbers now.

In those days the class had to set a limit of 200 entries to keep the starts to reasonable levels and also to find clubs able to take such a large fleet. Since those days the numbers attending have shown a gentle decline and at Looe this year they will be expecting around 100 entries. In 1996 when they were last at the venue they had 139 entries, but that was also a Worlds event.

The class has a long-held reputation of being able to attract some of the best sailors in the country to its major championships and of being a proving ground for the champions of the future.

At least five past World and National Champions who between them have won fourteen National Championships will be setting the standard for the others to beat.

These include Ian Pinnell and Richard Estaugh (right), who will be rushing back from competing in the Fireball Worlds in Italy to continue the battle at the Enterprise Nationals.

Ian Pinnell, winner with Ben Field of last year’s World and National Championships, has to be considered the favourite but new Inland Champion, Estaugh, will be looking to steal his crown.

Also in the top group will be the likes of Ian Fisher, Alan Gillard and Jim Hunt while the Indian boats of Aashim Mongia (right) and Naresh Yadav are over in preparation for next year’s World Championships in Goa.

They laid down the gauntlet at last weekend’s Typhoon Enterprise Grand Prix when they both won a race. At least two of the top boats from Ireland are also expected.

The depth and quality of the fleet is another characteristic of the class and supported by their sponsors they have been actively encouraging sailors of all standards at all their events this year. The prize list at the nationals is long and includes every possible category with Bronze and Silver Fleets, Juniors, Masters, Grand Masters, Veterans and many more, giving every sailor something to set their sights on.

There’s still time to enter if you haven’t done so already as 'Mr Results' Bob Southworth will be at Looe SC collecting entries from 9.00am on Saturday 28 July and all morning on Sunday 29 July.

The first championship race on Sunday is scheduled to start after midday with a practice race beforehand. For those with families Cornwall provides endless alternatives to going out on the water and the Enterprise Nationals always boast a healthy social calendar.

See you there?