Yachts & Yachting — February 2018

Above

Bettine Harris

earned her place

with a win at the

Cadet Nationals

TOP ENDEAVOURS

Seven wins Toby Lewis

Six wins Nick Craig

Five wins Geo

 Carveth, Mike Holmes

Four wins Ben Saxton, Ian Southworth

line is important, so boat handling and

wind awareness helps on the start.

“From a crewing point of view I

have had the chance to jump into

lots of dierent classes of boats with

dierent people with dierent styles

of racing. Feeling comfortable being

at the front of the eet and being able

to recognise situations as they develop

is all learnt through experience.

“e more quality sailing you can do

the better; it’s good to get out of your

comfort zone, push yourself, learn to

sail well as a team and try new things.

I’ve never found another sport that’s so

engaging, challenging and rewarding.”

Toby’s talent for racing began

as a youngster sailing Optimists at

Spinnaker SC, before teaming up with

his sister to win their rst club trophy.

His association with the Endeavour

Trophy is equally deep-rooted. “My

dad (Martin Lewis) won the Osprey

nationals when I was younger and it

wasn’t until I won the Endeavour at

my rst attempt (with Steve Tylecote

in 2007) that I found out that my dad

missed a chance to go to the Endeavour.

I feel like every chance and win has been

a tribute to my dad, for getting me into

sailing and teaching me how to race.”

As a family man with a young

son, Lewis says he hopes the racing

gene continues down the line and is

looking forward to teaching his son.

And his for his tips for aspiring future

Endeavour competitors? “Sailing at

Burnham-on-Crouch can be dicult,

lots of gear changing with wind

strength, shiy, tidal and very tactical.

ere are lots of gains to be made

downwind so looking for pressure is

important. Consider the tide and have

a big picture game plan before the race,

good boat handling due to the fact

you’ll be tacking and gybing lots with

close action packed racing. Never give

up because things can change quickly,

which makes the event so much fun.”

THE JUNIOR

Bettine Harris (14)

sailing with her

brother Jamie was

representing the Cadet

class. e duo had the

unique opportunity

to race the Endeavour together for

the third year as independent Cadet

champions – Jamie won the Cadet

national championship twice before and

Bettine then won the nationals in 2017.

At the Endeavour they improved

their results in each race, and their

impressive display in the penultimate

race when they led to the windward

mark was a good indication of their

future intentions. “To cross ahead of

It is good to get out of your comfort zone,

push yourself and learn to sail well as a team

February 2018 Yachts & Yachting 43

DINGHY ENDEAVOUR AC_GC_hjg_TH.indd 43 14/12/2017 17:00