Harken UK Enterprise Inland Championship at Draycote Water SC Overall

Jeremy Stephens & Ryan Crawford presented the Harken UK Enterprise Inlands trophy by Julie Prior © Paula Southworth

Bob Southworth Plate for 30 years service to the Enterprise Association as Enterprise Association Secretary © Paula Southworth

Congratulations and welcome back to Jeremy Stephens & Ryan Crawford who are our new Harken UK National Enterprise Inland Champions. Jeremy has in the past always been very much on the Enterprise scene but due to injury has been missing at Enterprise Championships for some time. Jeremy is very much back in the fleet and intends to compete in the Masters at Northampton and the Nationals in Paignton. WOW what a comeback (obviously injury free). Jeremy and Ryan achieve a very well deserved overall 1st position.

The Enterprises combined with the Streakers for this very successful Inland Championship. The first day was reported yesterday by Matt Velamail.

Sunday saw a change in sailing conditions - Saturday was very challenging, very gusty, which resulted in some very tired competitors. Sunday still remained gusty but overall the sailing conditions moderated. So did the positions in the fleet there was everything to sail for just few points between competitors in all sections of the fleet.

On Saturday night Matt Velamail/Tim Brownell from Ulley SC were basking in a 3, 1, 1 scoreline with an overnight 5 point lead, however today dawned and points and sailing conditions changed.

It was an excellent two day championship on Draycote Water. Our thanks go to a 'well oiled' and professional race committee team mainly consisting of previous Enterprise sailors – it was a great reunion for the Enterprise fleet; senior, middle of the class and quite a landmark for our youth Enterprise sailors. The Enterprise Association is enjoying a youth and classic revival.

Matt Velemail and Tim Brownell (23310) taking the lead at the Harken UK Enterprise Inlands at Draycote - photo © Paula Southworth

As usual there was an impressive Prize Giving table with the following additional prizes:

Special Prizes:

1st Veteran Helm (over 60): 19876, Alan Johnson & Paula Fisher (Southport SC) 11pts
1st Grand Master Helm (over 50): 23000 PEAK DINGHY, Tim Sadler & Richard Sault (Yorkshire Dales SC) 23pts
1st Master Helm Over 40 (The Draycote Plate): 22652, Jeremy Stephens & Ryan Crawford (Penzance SC) 10pts
1st Helm U21: 23196 BOBBY, Sam Woods & Alan Roberts (Glossop SC/Royal Navy) 43pts
1st Crew under 16: 21932 UM, Hugo Burrows & helm Ben Burrows (West Oxon SC) 88pts
1st Lady Crew & Lady Crew's Helm: 19876, Paula Fisher and helmed by Alan Johnson (Southport SC) 11pts
1st Lady Helm & Lady Helm's Crew, 23349, PLAYPEN, Ann Jackson and Alan Skeens (Burghfield SC) 30pts

At the prize giving there were some special presentations.

For the first time, in the effort to revive the Classic Enterprises there was Classic Boat Trophy for the first Classic Enterprise outside the first 10. There was also a prize presented by John Adcroft for a 24 Hour day out in a Classic Car for this winner. This was successfully won by 472, ALL SHOOK UP helmed by Phil Wilson and crewed by Natalie Smith. 472 won her class at Bosham Classic Revival in 2013.

Classic boat trophy winners Phil Wilson & Natalie Smith at the Harken UK Enterprise Inlands at Draycote - photo © Paula Southworth

Bob Southworth, The Enterprise Association Class Honorary Secretary was rewarded for his 30 Years of Service to the Association with an engraved Silver Plate and 4 whisky tumblers. Bob thanked the Association for this much appreciated recognition of his 30 years of service.

Tony Prior made a very moving speech about his appreciation of seeing so many of his Prior designed boats on the water – Tony is much loved by all around him in the sailing world and it is great he continues to support our National Events.

Overall Results: