Saxton and Lewis dominate Endeavour Championship

Ben Saxton and Toby Lewis representing the Merlin Rocket class are the outright winners of the 2015 Endeavour Championship after winning all eight races.

This is the first time in the history of the 55-year Endeavour Championship event that anyone has managed to achieve such an incredible result.

The super-fast duo annihilated the rest of the 23-boat Endeavour fleet in the fresh conditions yesterday (11 October) to add another four wins to their already impressive run of four wins on Saturday (10 October).

Despite more than one mediocre start, Saxton and Lewis were always first round the top mark. Benefiting from clear air, exceptional teamwork, and excellent boat speed, the pair consistently extended their lead often finishing well over a minute ahead of the next boat.

Ben Saxton and Toby Lewis

The pair didn’t experience any serious challenges across the weekend, even by the likes of six-time Endeavour Trophy champion, Nick Craig and crewman Tom Pygall who had to settle for second overall, and Saxton’s twin brother – Tim Saxton and Fiona Hampshire – who finished third.

Ben Saxton, 25, who is currently campaigning a Nacra 17 for the Rio Olympic Games, was naturally delighted with his win. After his win, he said: “The event was awesome and we are delighted to have won.

“We sailed clever and fast which is a pretty good combination and we didn’t really have a weakness. I think if I had a piece of advice for future Endeavour competitors it would be to get a good crew that hikes like a lunatic – like Toby, and make time for some really good practice beforehand.”

Five-time Endeavour winner Lewis, 34, who also makes history by becoming the Champion of Champions’ crew for the most wins, added: “Ben was very good at spotting the breeze downwind plus he is quite gutsy and will hit a corner with confidence. Because my aim is to always win, I just focus on the job.”

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