Enterprise Inland Championships at Blithfield Sailing Club

Prizewinners at the Enterprise Inland Championships 2013 © Paula Southworth

Enterprise Inland Championships 2013 © Paula Southworth

Enterprise Inland Champions Russell Short and Jess Law © Paula Southworth

Congratulations to Russell Short and Jess Law on being the new National Enterprise Inland Champions, and congratulations to Alice Allen and 'Sharky' (helm and crew for 21 years!) for being the Ladies Enterprise Inland Champion.

28 Enterprises competed at this event which was decidedly a championship of two halves. Saturday was a very blustery/gusty event; buoyancy truly tested. Blithfield Reservoir looked more like a Sea event; waves with a Force 4 -5 gusting Force 6 – 7 made for exhilarating sailing.

Races 1 - 3 were sailed on Saturday with three bullets for Mark Lunn and Steve Blackburn (favourites to win you would think!).

Sunday was still windy, Force 3 – 4 with fewer gusts, in fact sailing conditions to suit all the competitors. These saw a change in fortunes for the fleet with Russell Short and Jess Law (winner and first lady crew) achieving 2 bullets for races 4 and 5 which meant they won the Championships with 7 points, putting the leaders overnight (Mark and Steve) to third (13 Points).

A consistent performance from Jonathan Woodward and Karen Alexander (10 Points) gained them second place, Jonathan achieving the 1st Master Helm.

Fourth was Phil and Laura Bevan (23 Points) with Phil winning the Grand Master Helm and Laura the under 16 Category. 1st Veteran went to Martin Bottomley and Ray Ball.

The very enjoyable Championship was concluded with the prizegiving. Prizes were presented by Vice Commodore Katherine. The winner Russell Short thanked Blithfield SC for putting on such a good event; the Saturday evening hog roast and bar was excellent and the race team on the water provided good courses in tricky winds.

Enterprise Commodore Dave Staniforth thanked our new Sponsors Harken and Noble Marine for their much appreciated continued support. Harken sponsored additional prizes which meant every competitor went home with a prize!

Enterprise sailors who were not there missed a good event; 5 races sailed with fair winds (although gusty on the Saturday) and traditionally at Blithfield there were refreshments between each race! (A definite selling point for some competitors – others I know like to keep going back-to-back, usually the youth in the Enterprise fleet!)

We are now looking forward to the Enterprise National Championship at South Caernarvonshire YC 27 July – 2 August. Entries must be in by June 30th (£155) otherwise the late Entry Fee (£175) will be applied. Entry forms on the website www.sailenterprise.org.uk or in the Enterprise blue booklet or from the Hamble Office.

Overall Results: