Last weekend 4 Royal Lymington Sailors competed for the Endeavour trophy at the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club in Burnham on Crouch.
Running since 1961, this invitation-only three day event, has a competitor list of 30 teams, hand-picked from National Champions of selected recognised fleets. The RYA recognises The Endeavour as the pinnacle of that year’s dinghy sailing achievements, from which will hail a ‘Champion of Champions’.
Racing in RS200’s, each team is lent a full set of new sails to make the competition as even as possible.
Having won their respective National Championships, representing the Royal Lymington, and their classes were
- RS 800 - Luke and Emma McEwen
- 29er - Sam Webb
- Aero 7 - Tim Hire
Friday was set up and training day, with Steve Irish on hand to provide expert advice on boat set up and sailing at the very tidal Burnham. Most teams went out for some practise racing in fresh south Westerly breezes, which were to continue into Saturday. Unsurprisingly, with a fleet full of very competitive people, there was a great deal of polishing and tweaking going on in the dinghy park until late in the day!
There were 4 long races held on Saturday with fresh breezes finally easing for the fourth. Racing was incredibly tight with every place being hard fought from the start line to the finish. Our teams finished the day in 8th (29er) 16th (RS Aero7) and 19th (RS800), with the 29er and RS800 having some great results, but both unfortunately counting a black flag from race 4. All to play for!
The RCYC hosted a fantastic dinner on Saturday evening. It was a great atmosphere, with all the competitors feeling privileged just to to be able to compete at this fantastic event and to get the chance to meet sailors from so many different classes.
Sunday dawned warm and sunny, but very light and the fleet were held ashore hoping or the wind to fill in, especially those wanting the discard to kick in after race 5! Unfortunately it wasn’t to be and after a gentle sail up the river, the fleet returned to shore.
Regular winners Nick Craig and Toby Lewis took the title once again.
Full results can be found here:
https://www.royalcorinthian.co.uk/race-results/2023-race-results/2023-endeavour/