The 2022 Investec-sponsored Endeavour Trophy dinghy champion of champions that took place this weekend at Burnham-on-Crouch (7-9 October) was one of the most interesting on record with the overall winners not being decided until the final race writes Sue Pelling.
So close were the points going into the final race that it was difficult to predict the outcome. Even Morris and Fillmore (RS800), who amassed a score of 1,6,8,4,2,1 were surprised to hear the overall result, particularly as they scored their worst result of the regatta, an 11th in the final race of the event after an incident on the start line.
Having taken the overnight lead yesterday, Morris and Fillmore were unable to match the downwind speed of 2021 Endeavour champions Luke Patience, and Faye Chatterton in today's first race and had to settle for second place. The tables turned in the second race of the day (race 6) however, and it was the overnight leaders - Morris and Fillmore - who read the tricky, shifty, south-easterly winds well, and made the best tactical decisions in the strong flowing Spring tide to take the top spot. This left the ever-threatening Patience and Chatterton in second, and second overall.
Back on shore after racing this afternoon, competitors and guests attended the Endeavour prizegiving, where the winners Morris and Fillmore, were presented with the spectacular solid silver model and the half model of the America's Cup J-Class yacht Endeavour.
Plans are already underway for next year's Investec-sponsored Endeavour Trophy, which is taking place on 6-8 October 2023.
Overall Results (7 Races, 6 to count)
1st RS800 - Tom Morris and Guy Fillmore (22pts)
2nd Returning champion - Luke Patience and Faye Chatterton (26pts)
3rd GP14 - Ian Dobson and Emma Hivey (27pts)
4th 420 - Ollie Meadowcroft and Oscar Cawthorne (30pts)
5th Osprey - Matt Burge and Rob Henderson (31pts)
6th RS200 - Arran Holman and Hayden Sewell (33pts)
7th Merlin Rocket - Christian Birrell and Rachael Gray (36pts)
8th D Zero - Nick Craig and Toby Lewis (39pts)
