Hyde Sails Enterprise Inland Championship at Burton Sailing Club

Enterprise Inlands at Burton day 1 © Paula Southworth

Neil Barrett and Sophie Jones, winners of the Enterprise Inlands at Burton © Paula Southworth

Dave Hall of Hyde Sails presenting Beth Porter (Hyde's Prize Draw Winner) with her Prize Voucher from Hyde Sails for a new Hyde Sail jib, pictured with Dave Stanniforth, Enterprise Association Commodore © Paula Southworth

2015 Hyde Sails Enterprise Inland Championship sailed at Burton SC in association with Noble Marine

Congratulations to Neil Barrett and Sophie Jones on becoming 2015 Inland Champions! Race 1 started in very variable winds with lots of holes in the wind. Following a general recall, the fleet got away cleanly, with James Morley & Rachel Burkitt having a cracking start in a relatively spacious part of line, able to sail their own course and tack first, leading at the mark. They were shortly followed by Phil Ford & Will Allen, Matt Velamail & Tim Brownell and Mark Lunn & Steve Blackburn. Following a very tough first & unpredictable race it was the team of Phil Ford & Will Allen who took the first bullet, having not sailed since the nationals, a great effort by them! James & Rachel were just pipped on the line by Mark & Steve but a great race in their new boat.

Race 2 got underway after lunch again on the reverse Olympic course. Starting from a port biased line it was Matt Velamail crewed by Tim Brownell who rounded the windward mark first followed by Neil Barrett crewed by Sophie Jones. There was much place changing throughout the race. On the penultmate lap Mark Lunn crewed by Steve Blackburn took the lead by working the windshifts well on the beat. On the final lap they extended their lead to win by ten boat lengths, second was Steve Graham crewed by Alex Halliwell, with Matt and Tim third. Dave Porter crewed by daughter Beth were fourth.

Race 3 started off with half the fleet going left and half the fleet going right with wind conditions still varying there didn't seem a correct way to go. Andy short and Jess law reached the windward mark first with Steve and Alex not to far behind. However down the next leg things took a big change with Neil and Sophie pulling away from the fleet and keeping their lead until the very end! An impressive sail. 2nd 3rd as 4th was being battled for all the way around the course but Steve and Alex got 2nd, 3rd was Aj and Martin and 4th was Andy Short and Jess Law! This was a good race to end the first day of the Hyde inland championships.

Race 4 started in a shifty force 2-3 cold wind. Alan Johnson hit the pin and went out to the left of the course with Matt Velamail/Tim Brownell going out on port at the committee boat, by the top Mark both boats rounded close around the Mark despite the multiple shifts throughout with Neil Barrett/Sophie Jones closely behind, these 3 pulled away from the bulk of the fleet. With the conditions getting lighter throughout it was Matt and Tim who were able to take advantage of the shifts and take the lead, but not for long as Neil and Sophie passed again on the final beat to take the first bullet of the day in this 30 minute race. Aj took third, chased in at high speed by the "banterbus" of Sam woods and Rory Mackenzie.

With the top 5 all in with a chance of taking the title it all boiled down to this final race in deciding the winners. Race 5 got underway after a delayed start, caused by a wind shift which resulted in the course having to be relayed. Jonathan Woodward / Karen Alexander crossed the line at the pin, but unlike the majority of the fleet, who tacked immediately on to port, they elected to maintain a starboard course and tack part way up the beat to cover the fleet, allowing them to round the mark first in front of Dave Porter / Beth Porter and Phil Ford / Will Allen. Alan Johnson / Martin Wetherstone who rounded in the pack behind the leaders, took full advantage of the shifty conditions and managed to pull through to second by the finish behind Jonathan Woodward / Karen Alexander in first, with Phil Ford / Will Allen passing Dave Porter / Beth Porter to take third It was Neil & Sophie who showed consistent pace to come through and take the title.

Neil and Sophie are comparative new comers to the Enterprise Fleet and they are a very welcomed new addition – re-igniting the competitive spirit in the fleet.

The class would like to conclude with a big thank you for our much appreciated sponsors; Hyde Sails and Noble Marine. The Enterprise Association is very appreciative of their support. Congratulations to Beth Porter for winning the new Hyde Sails jib. Thanks must also go to our host club Burton who managed an excellent event. Adam and his race committee were first class – as was the club, bar and buffet services provided – a really great weekend enjoyed by all.

Make sure you all come to the Masters at Ogston on the 6/7 June and then we await the big Nationals of the year at Looe which is set to be a fantastic event, hoping for 70+ boats as we return to our home!

Overall Results: