ALLEN BROTHERS ENTERPRISE MASTERS CHAMPIONSHIP
11th/12th June 2016 at Middle Nene SC

The Enterprise Masters Championship is for helms over forty years of age. It was a two-day event with four races on the Saturday and a further three on the Sunday, interspersed with a semi-formal dinner and live entertainment on the Saturday night.

The first race started with lovely weather and a steady force two, but after a general recall the race officer hoisted the black flag. The pin end seemed to be the favoured end but at the first mark Ges Brown & Craig Wheatley (who came out of retirement for the event) were first, followed by Jon Woodward / Karen Alexander, Phil & Catriona Bevan, and John & Chris Blundell. Ges & Craig maintained their lead until the third beat when Jon & Karen passed them. Tim Sadler & Richard Sault came through the fleet and were pressing Ges & Craig. At the finish there was silence in Jon & Karen’s boat as they didn’t receive a gun, being OCS, along with Martin Honnor & Iain Bird. This gave the win to Ges & Craig, who just managed to pip Tim and Salty on the line with the Bevans third and the Blundells fourth.

In race two, Tim & Salty led from the first mark and remained ahead throughout. Nigel & Andy Bird briefly moved into second place after going right on the third beat. It was a very close finish between Jane & Nick Scutt, the Birds and Jon & Karen, with Jon & Karen almost losing second place after avoiding a boat on the run. Jane & Nick took third and the Birds were fourth.

Jane & Nick were leading boat at the windward mark of the third race despite Martin & Iain having a storming start. Tim & Salty were completely down and out at the windward mark and had to work hard to sail through to the front of the fleet. The Blundells were a bit too keen at the start and received an OCS for their efforts. In the end Martin & Iain won, followed by the Birds in second, Tim & Salty in third and Alan Johnson / Paula Fisher in fourth.

In race four Martin & Iain got to the windward mark in the lead, closely followed by the Bevans. Tim & Salty, after a relatively poor beat for them, worked their way up the fleet and on the last run overtook the Bevans. Martin & Iain retained the lead to the line, followed by Tim / Salty, Alan / Paula and the Bevans in fourth.

Race five started with a port end favoured line, and in a light breeze the fleet picked the shifts up the middle, led by Tim & Salty, closely followed by Ges & Craig then Jon & Karen. Martin & Iain had held the left side and squeezed round the windward mark in second behind Tim & Salty, both managing to get away and battled to the finish with Tim & Salty winning, Martin & Iain crossed second with a solid third for Ges & Craig. Jon and Karen followed in fourth.

In race six, Nigel & Andy rounded the windward mark in first place, followed by the Bevans, with Ges & Craig in third. Ges & Craig passed the Bevans on the run. At the end of lap one Tim & Salty were in sixth but made their way through to second on the beat. Positions remained the same through that lap but another excellent beat from Tim & Salty saw them take the lead on the third lap and hold it to the finish. The Birds finished second, Ges & Craig third and the Bevans fourth.

With the wind shifting left in race seven, the fleet started first time. Committee boat starters Nick Jackson / Sophie Jones, and Phil Ford / Charlotte Farmer tacked early and headed to the right hand side to round first and second. Having already won the event, Tim & Salty proceeded to pull through the fleet to again take the win, followed by Ges & Craig, the Blundells and Phil / Charlotte in fourth.

Tim & Salty won convincingly, not for the first time this year. Not only did they win the overall Masters trophy, but also the Ken Bird Trophy for first over 50 helm. Ges & Craig were very happy to take second place overall, also winning other categories for helm and crew over 40. Martin & Iain came third overall with Iain winning a prize for first under 16. The first Lady Helm was Jane Scutt, who also won the prize for first husband and wife team with Nick. The first Lady Crew was Andy Bird, only slightly hampered by husband Nigel. The famous Masters’ “Ton-up” Trophy for the first crew with a combined age of over 100, was won by the charming Blundell brothers. The first helm over 70 was won by Graham Kirkup, crewed by Alison Glass-Parker and the first helm over 60, winning the Veteran’s Trophy, was the timeless legend Alan Johnson, crewed by Paula Fisher, who also won the Classic boat prize for first boat with a sail number under 20,000.

The host club, Middle Nene, was so welcoming. The OD, Matt Yallop, ran the races very efficiently. The galley team led by Kim, were extraordinary with their fabulous organisation of the Saturday evening supper and the bar struggled to keep up with the demands for “dark and stormys”. All in all it was a very memorable weekend with great (if a little fluky) sailing and an extremely fun party.

Finally and most importantly, many thanks to the title sponsor Allen Brothers, who supplied bags and T-shirts all round and significant monetary vouchers and rash vests to the top three winners.

Report by Carol Ford with input from Ges Brown, Jon Woodward, Karen Alexander, Tim Sadler, Richard Sault, Phil Bevan, Martin Honnor, Andy Bird, John Blundell and Phil Ford.