Enterprise Severnside Area Championship at Penarth Yacht Club

Seventeen Enterprise crews entered the Area Championship on the weekend of June 1st & 2nd. Seven visiting boats joined the local members for six races over the two days. There were several familiar faces amongst the visitors but we were also pleased to welcome Mark Lunn and Steve Blackburn from West Lancs S.C. and Matt Velamail and Tim Brownell from Ulley S.C. who both had long journeys.

The summer finally arrived on the Welsh south coast with a dry, fine and fairly sunny weekend. The forecast was for wind on Saturday and less on Sunday - an accurate prediction as it turned out.

Race 1 saw Mark and Steve first around the windward mark, a lead they maintained to the finish. They were followed by Matt and Tim with Steve Graham and Julie Moore (Northampton S.C.) in third. Tom Atkin and Minnie Lucy (Penarth YC) were fourth upholding the local honour.

Race officer Martyn Bromley, who had kindly stepped into the role at the last minute when his crew cried off sick, was having a problem that has bedevilled us several times in recent years, that of anchors dragging. The weekend had been chosen for its neap tides but on the Bristol Channel it is still about 10 metres. When the ebb sets in the current is huge. I have a theory that the building of Cardiff Barrage has altered the erosion locally and there is a lot less mud about and even a hint of sand on Penarth beach, the mark anchors are trying to grip on flat limestone pavement. In spite of this he did a fine job.

Race 2 was set further inshore and was quite tricky with the north to north west wind funnelling around Penarth head, making it possible to lee bow the tide at times. Jonathan Woodward and a relatively novice crew Phillip Harrison (South Staffs SC) won this one with Ann Jackson and Alan Skeens (Burghfield SC) second followed by Tom and Minnie.

Race 3 had a difficult start as the ebb tide was now running at several knots. Only a place by the preferred pin end mark, ensured that the committee boat at the other end of the line was cleared. A fact that several of us found to our cost having to gybe around to avoid a collision. The weekend's racing had been organised by Ioan Lavery, Penarth YC's Sailing secretary, with his wife and crew Fiona having their moment of glory, leading the race for a couple of laps. Unfortunately for them Mark and Steve found a way past, relegating them to second at the finish.

The fleet then headed for home and beer and curry in the club.

Racing on Sunday was scheduled for 10:30. The club faces east and the sun was bathing the balcony and the view was of flat water with the occasional ripple patch. The AP flag was dusted off and hoisted ashore. There was a lot of pessimistic muttering about having to abandon for the day. However Martyn managed to set a course, a revised start was posted and the majority of the fleet set sail.

Race 4 was started in a light southerly but it was possible to make it over the tide and Ann and Alan led the fleet from start to finish. Matt and Tim were second, their best result, a better day for them. Mark and Steve were third.

The wind was increasing and the tidal flow decreasing so race 5 was started immediately. Most of the fleet were favouring the right of the course but Pete Rendall and Helen Cummings (PYC) had gone left and were third around the wind ward mark behind Mark and Steve and Ann and Alan. They went on to finish 1st and 2nd. Mark and Steve went on to win the race and the series, while Pete and Helen slipped back to finish 9th.

The racing was hard fought at the rear of the fleet as well with local rivalries well to the fore. Hugh Phillips had asked Owen Kinsella (14) to crew for the first time in an Ent and made steady improvement over the weekend. Meanwhile Andy & Sue Grant and Chris Palmer & Dee Larkin were vying for that last place, showing just how competitive the Penarth fleet can be.

The final race started without the series winners - this allowed and Ann and Alan to prove they are experts in light winds registering their second win of the day and securing second overall. They were followed by Tom and Minnie with a second place ensuring third overall.

We all headed for the bar to find Mark and Steve's boat packed with them tucking into a Sunday roast and ready for the presentation.

Overall Results: