ALLEN BROTHERS ENTEPRISE 60TH ANNIVERSARY INLAND CHAMPIONSHIP

7th / 8th May 2016 at BRISTOL CORINTHIAN YC

With the hottest weekend of the year so far and plenty of wind forecast everybody was looking forward to a great event at Bristol Corinthian YC, however many competitors arrived on Saturday morning to a less than ideal mirror on Cheddar Reservoir and a morning downpour.

The PRO, Arky, postponed racing for an hour and a half while the wind filled in, which it eventually did by which time the sun had burnt off the morning haze and all the competitors had caught their first rays of 2016. The format of the weekend was going to be very different from what we normally have come to expect, 5 races on Saturday and 4 races on Sunday, thanks to a new class initiative proposed by Johnny Allen.

Racing began around 2pm in NE winds and after a couple of general recalls the PRO pulled out his big black flag! In force 3 conditions the fleet got away and after a 40 minute race it was Jon Woodward & Karen Alexander who took the first bullet, closely followed by Jane & Nick Scutt, with Tom Atkin & Clare Adams rounding out the top 3. Conditions were testing with the correct side of the beat being hard to predict as all the home boats suggested it would be with this wind direction.

Race 2 was won by home boat Phil Ford & Jane Humpage, Alan Johnson & Kaye Tickle 2nd and Tim Sadler & Saulty 3rd.

Race 3 bullet belonged to Tim & Saulty, AJ & Kaye taking another 2nd and Jane & Nick securing 3rd.

Then the wind swung round to a south easterly, increased and the full strength of the sun came out. The shifts became less noticeable and with 3 races down, some fresher legs were able to hike through and move towards the front of the fleet. Race 4 was won by Paul Hobson & Abigail Honnor stealing it on the last beat from Nigel & Andy Bird, Tim & Saulty fighting back to a well-deserved 3rd.

By the time race 5 came, the competitors were now thinking of other things when the PRO raised his big black flag with a large pint of Guinness on the front! It was Phil & Jane who won the race to the bar, sealing their 2nd bullet of the day to lead overnight. Ann Jackson & Alan Skeens took a nice 2nd with Martin Honnor & Victoria Gomm finishing 3rd.

So after 5 races in beautiful conditions, the fleet were well and truly ready for a typical Enterprise party and dressed in their best ready for dinner! After dinner speeches were given from Jon Woodward with a special mention to the late Ray Page and Johnny Allen on the future of our class and commending BCYC on demonstrating how Enterprise events should be done.

Day 2 came and after thunderous showers throughout the night, it felt like we had awoken in the humid jungle of the Amazon, however it wasn’t long this time until the sun came and with that, the BREEZE – A day of champagne sailing awaited the sailors and the conditions couldn’t have possibly been better. Unfortunately National Champions and favourites, Tim & Saulty had boat issues overnight and were left trying to secure another boat which was kindly lent by Richard Pryke and was to help bring their campaign back on track.

The PRO was obviously feeling generous today and left his black flag tucked away, however the antics of the previous night had obviously left the sailors feeling very naughty and several general recalls later and a wind shift the black flag was out again.

Race 6 was taken convincingly by Jon & Karen who were looking to get the bit between their teeth today, heavy weather specialists Dave & Chris Jackman secured 2nd and consistent Nigel & Andy took 3rd.

Race 7, with the bit definitely between their teeth now, the bullet again belonged to Jon & Karen – now seeming very strong contenders for the overall title. Martin & Victoria breezed into 2nd and Tim & Saulty finding their speed in the borrowed JJ squeezed in a 3rd.

By now, 7 races completed, some of the sailors were starting to tire and the conditions had taken their first victims, however it was difficult to refuse such perfect conditions and close racing. Race 8 was again Jon & Karen leading at the front, but a course change unfortunately left them sailing to the leeward mark instead of the windward mark! Phil & Jane took advantage and won the race, getting their campaign for the win back on track, Phil & Laura Bevan 2nd and Martin & Victoria 3rd.

One race left to go, 8 races of hard, tight racing completed amongst a very high standard fleet of sailors – it all came down to the last one. There isn’t much to say except it was Tim & Saulty who were able to lead from the front and extend to secure the bullet and with that a well-deserved victory! Rob Libby & Brian Bowdler held onto 2nd and Darren Roach & James Ellis finished 3rd.

Tim & Saulty – Inland Champions!

It goes without saying; this event has been a massive success for the class, 50 boats, fantastic conditions and a great club. The new format of many races certainly split the fleet however it was a great demonstration of how consistency is what ultimately proves successful in a class which must showcase some of the closest racing in the country and is such a big attraction for all those that sail in it. A massive thank you to Bristol Corinthian Yacht Club, the PRO and his team and all the volunteers on the water, behind the galley and at the club and all the competitors for making the effort to come.

Last but not least, many thanks go to our main sponsors Allen Brothers and Noble Marine.

We look forward to seeing you at the next National Circuit event!

Matt Velamail