News

Champions ready for Endeavour Trophy

Published on October 12th, 2018

Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex (October 12, 2018) – The effect of Storm Callum currently sweeping across Britain welcomes the 30 teams that will vie for the Endeavour Trophy on October 13 and 14.

The invitation-only contest will determine the overall dinghy champion of champions from the UK’s most popular dinghy racing classes, with competitors will use equally matched one-design RS200s, and are loaned brand-new sails courtesy of RS Sailing and Hyde Sails.

By dint of their achievements, the champions at this high profile event to establish the champion of champions’ tend to be experts with transferable skills, which means they are able to adapt to different classes without too much trouble.

Back at one of his favourite events is Ben Saxton – three-time/reigning champion with Toby Lewis: “I am really looking forward to it but is is going to be tougher than ever, and I love the fact it is going to be windy. It’s the best weekend of racing, and also such great fun. The Endeavour Trophy is a true celebration of every champion taking part, and a great battle on the water. I can’t wait to celebrate and enjoy the weekend with every single competitor and volunteer!”

Another serial Endeavour champion winner (record holder with six Endeavour wins) – Nick Craig – is also primed and ready to race/win, this time with Emma Clarke (former Endeavour winning crew) representing the D-One class. Craig chatting about the profile of the event said: “We are very much looking forward to the Endeavour as it is still so prestigious and attracts the top talent in the UK. The event is so well run on and off the water. With eight tough races, it feels like a weeklong championship in a weekend. I only wish racing was like this every weekend!”

Christian Birrell – former Endeavour Trophy winning crew – is also back, this time as the winning helmsman of the highly competitive Merlin Rocket class national championship, with Sam Brearey at the front end.

Other former Endeavour Trophy winners racing this weekend include Fireball champions Matt Burge and Tom Pygall, and Alan Roberts – double Endeavour winning crew – this time sailing with Maria Stanley representing the RS200 class.

The number of youngsters competing this weekend is impressive with the likes of local hot-shots Ben and James Hutton-Penman (RS Aero 5), racing the Endeavour for the second year running. Other youngsters to watch out for include Emily Mueller and Florence Brellisford (Optimist), Angus and Hattie Collingridge (Cadet), and the 420 boys – Rhys Lewis and Drew Wright from Penarth, Wales.

Lewis commenting on the prospects of big winds said: “We are definitely a bit heavy in general for the RS200 so we are delighted there is going to be a good breeze. We are absolutely ready for it.”

Confirmed 2018 Endeavour Trophy entries:

2017 Champions – Ben Saxton and Toby Lewis
420 – Rhys Lewis and Drew Wright
470 – Jonny and Sarah McGovern
2000 – Simon Horsfield and Katie Burridge
29er – Ewan Wilson and Fin Armstrong
Blaze – Charlie Chandler and Owain Hughes
Byte – Tom Lonsdale and Emma Peason
Cadet – Angus and Hattie Collingridge
Comet – Chris Hatton and Charlie Sansom
D One – Nick Craig and Emma Clarke
D Zero – Steve Bolland and Alistair Norris
Fireball – Matt Burge and Tom Pygall
K1 – Paul Smalley and Mari Shepherd
Lark – Chris and Nicola White
Moth – Jim McMillan and Paul Gliddon
Merlin Rocket – Christian Birrell and Sam Brearey
National 12 – Graham Camm and Zoe Ballantyne
National 18 – Oliver Houseman and Doug Nestor
Optimist – Emily Mueller and Florence Brellisford
Laser 4.7 – Lorcan Knowles and Annabel Page
RS Aero 5 – Ben and James Hutton-Penman
RS Aero 9 – Steve and Sarah Cockerill
RS Feva – William Pank and Seb Gotto
RS200 – Maria Stanley and Alan Roberts
RS400 – Stewart and Sarah Robertson
RS600 – Richard Smith and Lynne Ratcliffe
RS800 – Tom Morris and Guy Fillmore
Scorpion – Alan Krailing and Simon Forbes
Supernova – Sam Knight and Steve Hawley
Thames A Rater – Simon Blake and James Warren