Endeavour Trophy ULTIMATE ENDEAVOUR Osprey champion sailors Matt Burge and Toby Lewis reveal how they won this year’s Endeavour Trophy to Sue Pelling, plus top tips on how to secure your invitation to the event ALL IMAGES GRAEME SWEENEY/MARINE IMAGES SWEENEY/MARINE GRAEME ALL IMAGES

24 Yachts & January 2015 www.yachtsandyachting.co.uk January 2015 Yachts & Yachting 25 Endeavour Trophy

RIGHT Xxx hen Matt Burge and destined to be close. For the Osprey Overall results (eight races, 1 discard) Toby Lewis made team to win, they had to finish ahead a snap decision to of the team. 1st Osprey Matt Burge / Toby Lewis (21pts) take the opposite Ian Dobson and Holly Scott (GP14) 2nd Merlin Rocket Matt Mee / Tom Pygall (22pts) leeward gate established an impressive one-minute 3rd GP 14 Ian Dobson / Holly Scott (23pts) to the leading duo lead over Mee and Pygall (Merlin 4th Charlie Roome / Jeremy Stephens (33pts) Wof Matt Mee and Tom Pygall – their Rocket) early on and maintained their 5th Tom Gillard / Sam Brearey (33pts) closest rivals in the closing stages of position to the finish which left them in 6th Rachel Grayson / Nigel Wakefield (37pts) the final race – it produced one of the third place overall. In the closing stages most nail-biting finishes ever at the of the final race, however, Burge and Endeavour Championship. Lewis were back in contention after and I probably owe our success to him.’ Burge and Lewis, who were being buried at the start. representing the Osprey class from Matt Burge explains: ‘The Merlin Endeavour one-designs Poole YC, also picked up a favourable boys were beating us all the way The diverse entry at the Endeavour shift as they rounded the mark, which round the racecourse, but we had a Championship, which includes allowed them to inch ahead of the phenomenal last run. We then opted for singlehanded, doublehanded, heavy Merlin Rocket duo, and cross the finish the opposite leeward gate mark to them, and lightweight crews means that to line just a couple of seconds ahead found a nice bit of breeze, tacked on a ensure racing is as fair as possible, of Mee and Pygall to secure the 2014 shift, then slogged our guts out to the strict one-designs are selected for Endeavour Championship. finish line. I’d never hiked so hard and the event. The first event in 1961 This year’s Royal Corinthian Yacht my legs were trembling. We beat them was sailed in Enterprises. Since then numerous classes have been used for the event including the GP14, 2, Lark, , and RS400, with the The Endeavour has inspired me and gave me Ian Howlett-designed Xenon used for the last nine years. A new class, the Topper Argo made the confidence to start helming the RS200 its debut this year. Like the Xenon, the Rachel Grayson (16) Argo has no class championship, which means no one sailor has an unfair Club-hosted and Topper Sailboats- across the line by half a boat length.’ Second placed Matt Mee and Tom and although they included two first the highest placed female helmsman ever. advantage. However, the Argo is 40kg supported event took place from Commenting on his win, he added: Pygall (Merlin Rocket) certainly places in their scoreline, they had to Grayson, who finished in sixth overall lighter than the Xenon and carries October 31-November 2, and was not ‘Winning the Endeavour Trophy is didn’t make it easy for the eventual count a seventh and a ninth, which left with crew Nigel Wakefield, was noted less sail area, which means the new only one of the closest on record but quite emotional. It has always been the winners. Pygall commented: ‘Yes, it them in fourth overall. Tom Gillard for her skill, professional composure and ‘Endeavour design’ should lower the also produced some of the best event of all events I’ve wanted to win, was disappointing not to have won but (Streaker), whose father Alan won the her consistent performance throughout overall crew-weight range. The sailors’ weather ever seen at the Endeavour so now I feel I can die happy having we had a fantastic event. It was the first Endeavour Trophy in 1986, looked the weekend. reactions were as mixed as they classes Championship. Scorching sunshine on won it.’ time I’ve sailed with Matt, and what set to challenge the title on occasions Commenting on her result, the they came from:, Mirror national Friday with temperatures in the 20s Toby Lewis, a four-times Endeavour a great guy he is to sail with. He is a scoring a string of three, second places ever-modest Grayson concluded: ‘It champion Rachel Grayson commented gave way to a warm, southerly light to champion crew (twice with Nick legend really. We worked well together but he and his crew Sam Brearey also was really fun and I cannot believe that, ‘The main was bigger and moderate breeze on Saturday, and fresh, Craig), added. ‘It is great to win it with and I think the Argo is the type of boat had to count a couple of big numbers where we finished. My biggest fear was much heavier than I am used to, which planing conditions on the final day. Matt. We had a tough day today, and that rewards teamwork, so yes, we so had to settle for fifth overall. potentially finishing last in every race, took some getting used to but when With the breeze up and just one a real fight on our hands. It was just really enjoyed it.’ At 16 years old, Rachel Grayson and I really didn’t expect to be any good, it got going in the heavy winds it was point separating the leading two boats an excellent last race. In both races we Charlie Roome and Jeremy Stephens (Mirror) was not only one of the particularly as it was also my first time very fast and exciting.’ (Osprey and Merlin Rocket) going were buried at times but through sheer (Lark) demonstrated some impressive youngest helmsmen at the event but sailing with an asymmetric spinnaker. I Toby Lewis, the four times into the final race, the situation was determination we pulled through.’ bursts of speed throughout the weekend according to available records she is now did have an amazing crew, so that helped Endeavour Trophy-winning crew,

How they did it

Amateur experience to his name, so although we didn’t do from Topper, any boat speed or equipment I sail in, plus it had had the largest fleet of any starting and the first beat is 95 per cent of the helming the RS200 which I’d been putting off for a Matt Burge (30) any specific training for the Endeavour we both advantage that someone might have in their nationals I have sailed this year, and had the race, especially on a river.’ while thinking I wasn’t good enough. I feel much Profession: Vet had a pretty good idea of what was required own class, is completely removed, so it is just toughest competition.’ more positive now I just want to do it again.’ 2014 wins: 1st Osprey national championship, to win and were able to draw on our past down to pure unadulterated sailing.’ Preparations/tactics: ‘We didn’t know we were Female helmsman Preparations/tactics: ‘Nigel offered to crew for Endeavour Championship experiences to get the job done at the event. going until the last minute so there wasn’t much Rachel Grayson (16) me, so I leapt at the chance. We didn’t do any Sailing Club: Poole YC ‘Toby tended to call tactics upwind while I Professional time for preparation. Sam [Brearey] my crew and Studies: AS levels in Chemistry, Biology, Maths training and it was, in fact, only the second time He says: ‘The thought of an Endeavour place concentrated on boat speed, whereas I called Tom Gillard (25) I had spoken about sailing together if we were and French at New College, Pontefract we’d met, the first being at the Mirror nationals definitely pushes me that bit harder to try and win the downwind strategy and Toby concentrated Profession: Sailmaker/salesman for North Sails invited but the only time we sailed together within 2014 wins: Mirror national and European in 2013. I was very busy leading up to the a class nationals, and I know many of my fellow on flying the . The key point is to always trust One Design the last three years was the nationals championships Endeavour so too busy to practice. However, our competitors feel the same.’ each others instincts if a quick decision needs 2014 wins: Streaker, Scorpion and this year. Sailing Club: Beaver SC system on the boat was pretty good, Nigel was a Preparations/tactics: ‘The age-old problem with to be taken, and where possible to share the nationals, Fireball Europeans ‘We know each others’ mechanics in the boat, She says: ‘I was buzzing all the way home, I rang great crew and we worked well together.’ being an amateur is trying to find time around decision-making.’ Sailing Club: Sheffield Viking SC/Hayling Island Sam feeds me information and effectively gives every member of my family and made plans Endeavour advice: ‘Get a clean start. Being spat work to actually sail. Thankfully Toby [Lewis] my Endeavour advice: ‘Just enjoy the event and SC me options. Sam is also incredibly fit, which helps to move into helming the RS200 with my sister. out the back of a fleet of national champions on crew, who I snapped up before anyone else fear nobody. The beauty of the Endeavour is that, He says: ‘I chose to represent the Streaker a lot.’ The Endeavour had a massive effect on me. It a start line isn’t fun and it’s a really difficult fleet to did, also has a long list of achievements and thanks to the exceptionally generous support because I know it better than any other class Endeavour advice: ‘It pays to remember that inspired me and gave me the confidence to start claw your way through.’

26 Yachts & Yachting January 2015 www.yachtsandyachting.co.uk January 2015 Yachts & Yachting 27 Champions of champions Year Helmsman Crew Class represented 2013 N Craig A Roberts Merlin Rocket 2012 B Saxton A Roberts RS200 2011 N Craig T Lewis OK 2010 S Bithell C Birrel Merlin Rocket 2009 G Carveth Emma Clarke RS200 2008 N Craig T Lewis 2007 S Tylecoat T Lewis 2006 N Craig J Stewart RS400 2005 N Craig J Stewart 2004 N Craig K Bedborough OK 2003 R Gilbert J Stewart RS400 2002 G Carveth C Davies RS800 2001 J Hunt P Hobson 2000 J Hunt P Hobson Solo 1999 G Carveth C Davies RS200 1998 R Estaugh S Potts GP14 1997 J Hunt T Freer Enterprise 1996 I Renilson S Roberson 1995 M Holmes G O’Brien RS400 1994 C Howarth R Estaugh GP14 1993 G Carveth P Rowley Solo 1992 G Carveth P Rowley Solo ABOVE Xxx 1991 J Lee S Thompson 1990 M Holmes D Froggitt noted: ‘It is generally a smaller boat place on October 9-11, 2015. 1989 I Pinnell A Service Enterprise 1988 I Southworth D Hayes GP14 so lighter weight crews won’t be so 1987 N Marsden K Cribben Enterprise penalised in a breeze, plus the kite is Endeavour origins 1986 A Gillard C Machin Enterprise smaller and more manageable so I give The Endeavour Trophy is a solid 1985 I Southworth R Drumgold 420 it the thumbs up all round.’ silver scale model of the J-Class yacht 1984 I Southworth D Hayes Lark 1983 I Southworth D Hayes GP14 Simon Hiscocks, double ‘Endeavour’, presented annually to the 1982 M Holmes M Cochran Albacore Olympic medalist and ‘champion of champions’ at the Royal 1981 R Estaugh N Thompson GP14 national champion, ‘These boats are a Corinthian YC in Burnham-on-Crouch. 1980 M Holmes M McNamara GP14 great leveler. No one has an advantage. It dates back to Tom Sopwith’s 1979 L Smith P Barker Fireball 1978 M Holmes D Froggatt Albacore They are actually nice boats to sail America’s Cup Challenge of 1934. 1977 L Smith P Barker Fireball because they produced good, tight Following a pay dispute and the 1976 E Owen S Stewart GP14 racing over short courses.’ dismissal of his east coast-based 1975 P Crebbin A Landamore 470 For a full test of the Argo see page 62. professional crew, Sopwith teamed up 1974 P Crebbin A Landamore Albacore 1973 N Martin Caroline Lougher Firefly with ‘Tiny’ Mitchell, the commodore of 1972 P Milanes P Nash Get an invite the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club at the 1971 F Williams R Sheffer Merlin Rocket How do you ensure your class time, to recruit amateur members of the 1970 R Suggitt Mandy Watcham is represented at the Endeavour? club to form a crew, sail her to America 1969 M Rimmer R Suggitt Enterprise 1968 R Hennessy R Michael Enterprise Providing a class can produce a healthy and compete in the America’s Cup. 1967 W Bacon M McNamara Enterprise national championship attendance ‘Endeavour’ won the first two races 1966 B Ellis K Ellis Merlin Rocket (upwards of 40-50 boats) then there against ‘Rainbow’, and although she 1965 M McNamara M Rimmer Albacore is no reason for an association not lost the series, this was the closest 1964 R Pitcher R Amos Flying Dutchman 1963 D Newman R Martin Firefly to receive an Endeavour invitation. England ever came to winning the 1962 M Evans R Smith Associations of eligible classes who coveted America’s Cup. 1961 P Bateman K Musto Cadet are keen to promote their class In recognition of this achievement, always ensure their champion sailor Robin Judah, a respected member of the BELOW Xxx is represented, and regard it as a RCYC, established a series of races for champion sailors’ duty for them to ‘ dinghy sailors to determine the overall their flag’ for their class. ‘champion of champions’ from the UK’s Edwin Buckley, the Endeavour event most popular racing classes. Beecher organiser, says he is always keen to Moore, a former ‘Endeavour’ crew and hear from classes: ‘The entry limit is the marketing man behind successful 25-30 boats but we are, of course, open dinghy designer Jack Holt, joined Judah to ideas, and are always keen to ensure in his quest to run this event and for the we include dinghy classes celebrating overall winner presented his solid silver significant anniversaries, for example, scale model of the yacht. and in special years Olympians are The first invitation-only race took invited. As a competitor, if you feel place in 1961 and the winners were your class should be invited but you Peter Bateman and Keith Musto, have not heard anything via your representing the International Cadet class association, send me an email at class. The event is now recognised as [email protected]’ one of the ultimate achievement in The next Endeavour Trophy takes British .

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