Please select your home edition
Edition
Allen Brothers

Allen Enterprise Inland Championship at Cardiff Bay Yacht Club

by John Blundell 9 May 2017 16:17 BST 6-7 May 2017
Allen Enterprise Inlands at Cardiff © Carol Ford

The Allen Enterprise Inland Championship held at Cardiff Bay Yacht Club initially raised some questioning eyebrows amongst the fleet as most people consider Cardiff to be on the coast. Cardiff Bay Yacht Club was a new venue for the fleet, and it proved to be an excellent choice with its large expanse of non-tidal water.

With a horrendous weather forecast, it was with some trepidation that the Enterprise fleet headed to the most coastal of inland venues. The fear proved unwarranted as both the water and the club were great hosts throughout the weekend.

Saturday brought ideal conditions with a good force 4 gusting 5, decreasing slightly during the day. Mixed into this were the 20 degree wind shifts which made for exciting if not unpredictable racing. The "it's easy enough for an 8 year old to understand" quote by the excellent race officer Nick Sawyer raised a laugh at the briefing, and the Olympic course proved equally popular with the fleet on the water. After four hard fought races, it was evident that former top crew "Cookie" (Simon Cook) had not lost his legend status as he was top of the leader board with the help of helm Tim Sadler, despite having a swim in the second race.

The excellent catering at Cardiff Bay Yacht Club kept the fleet happy with plenty of liquid refreshment and some great music and dancing despite very tired legs!

Sunday brought no wind and despite a valiant attempt by the race officer to get the fleet started, the decreasing and shifty winds meant an early finish with no further races sailed.

The overall winner was Tim Sadler, crewed by Simon Cook; Darren and Natalie Roach were 2nd overall; John and Pete Blundell were 3rd overall. First Lady helm was Alice Allen crewed by Pete Cruikshank in 4th place.

Allen Enterprise Inlands at Cardiff (l-r) Darren Roach, Natalie Roach, Simon Cook, Tim Sadler, John Blundell, Pete Blundell - photo © Carol Ford
Allen Enterprise Inlands at Cardiff (l-r) Darren Roach, Natalie Roach, Simon Cook, Tim Sadler, John Blundell, Pete Blundell - photo © Carol Ford

Particular thanks to the Race Officer Nick Sawyer, who was faultless in his decision making, and his team for an excellent event, helped as ever by The Enterprise Team led by Carol Ford. The Allen-sponsored prizes were well received by the fleet, many of whom now have new kit to fit to their boats for the next event in the National series, which is the Allen Masters Championship at Ogston SC on 10/11 June.

Overall Results:

PosSail NoBoat NameHelmCrewClubR1R2R3R4Pts
1st23384 Tim SadlerSimon CookYorkshire Dales SC / Penarth YC1‑15146
2nd22814BANG ONDarren RoachNatalie RoachRoyal Navy SA5‑9218
3rd22315BEEFJohn BlundellChris BlundellStaunton Harold SC32‑438
4th22501BLUE JOBAlice AllenPete CruikshankBristol Corinthian YC84‑11214
5th23270KITTYPhil FordJane HumpageBristol Corinthian YC2‑88515
6th22619RIOT VANMartin HonnorKent MartinOgston SC‑1035715
7th22652THAT'S ENTERTAINMENTJeremy StephensBecca StephensPenzance SC‑663615
8th23089SIMPLY REDJon WoodwardKaren AlexanderSouth Staffordshire SC47‑14920
9th23307BERTThomas AtkinMike PorterPenarth YC7‑146821
10th23349TO INFIRMITY & BEYONDAnn JacksonAlan SkeensBurghfield SC121‑131023
11th23410WIMPGes BrownJulie MooreSouth Caernarvonshire YC‑16571527
12th23311IGAM OGAMIoan LaveryChris KeatleyPenarth YC9109‑1328
13th22894BLUE MISTJeff DyerSian ReynoldsPenarth YC1111‑121133
14th23015WEDG‑ENick JacksonRebecca BradleyBurghfield SC14‑16101236
15th23140MY AIM IS TRUERichard LeachJane PickfordPenarth YC1312‑181742
16th22112TUTU WON ONE TOOCharles MorrishAlison Robertson MorrishSt Mary's Loch SC‑1513151442
17th23312AKANGRAPeter RendallHelen CumminsPenarth YC171716‑1950
18th22935MALABARChris PalmerBeatrice BotticelliPenarth YC1818‑191652
19th23313SHOCKINGJohn BerryNeil BawdenEtherow SC / South Staffs SC(DNF)19201857
20th23416 Mike HobinChris AbelaWest Oxfordshire SC(DNF)DNF17RET59

Related Articles

Enterprise and Comet Versa open at Hampton
A great mix of young and old with ages ranging from 3 to 78 Four local boats and three visitors competed for the Enterprise Hampton Cup and the final of the Thames Valley River Series combined with the Comet Versa Open in which seven competed, crewed by a great mix of young and old with ages ranging from 3 to 78! Posted on 11 Sep 54th West Lancs 24 Hour Race this weekend
First staged in 1967, one of the great fixtures of the UK dinghy sailing calendar West Lancashire Yacht Club's famous 24-Hour Race is back this weekend. The 54th edition of the race once again brings Southport's Marine Lake to life, powered by the energy of sailors, volunteers and supporters who keep this unique tradition thriving. Posted on 10 Sep Minima Regatta 2025
Gentle breeze and bright sunshine early on; swallowing Thames water later Saturday morning in Kingston was lovely, gentle breeze, bright sunshine. A couple of hours later I was swallowing Thames. Posted on 4 Sep Enterprise Scottish Championship & UK Masters
Held at St Mary's Loch Sailing Club over the weekend The fleet had gathered at St Mary's Loch in the Scottish Borders and waited patiently for the wind. The forecast was not promising but eventually it came, light and from the north, while the clouds were drifting from the south. Posted on 26 Aug Noble Marine Enterprise Nationals at Tenby overall
Three races held on the final day to decide the event Sailing on Thursday was not possible due to a combination of sea state and fog, as a result three races were scheduled for Friday with the first sound signal at 11.00. Posted on 10 Aug 2025 WLYC 24 Hour Race Last Call!
Just one week until entries close at midnight on 15th August The countdown is on - just one week until entries close at midnight on 15th August for the West Lancashire Yacht Club 24 Hour Race 2025. Posted on 8 Aug Noble Marine Enterprise Nationals at Tenby day 4
Only one race was scheduled, which left time for the Crew's Race Only one race was scheduled for Wednesday in order to catch up with the overall race programme. It appeared that the committee boat end was favoured and several boats that started there tacked early onto port to take advantage of a left side lift. Posted on 7 Aug Noble Marine Enterprise Nationals at Tenby Day 3
Thanks to storm Floris there was no sailing on Monday Thanks to storm Floris there was no sailing on Monday, the Race Officer sensibly gave everyone the day off, making the decision at 08.00 on the Monday morning. Tuesday brought a F5 from the North West. Posted on 6 Aug Noble Marine Enterprise Nationals at Tenby Day 1
Three races held before the storm Given the forecast for Monday, the Race Officer scheduled three races for day one of the championship on Sunday. Posted on 4 Aug S2S Race at Leigh & Lowton
Sunrise to sunset racing dominated by West Lancs teams The S2S is a team event held annually in June at Leigh & Lowton SC in GPs, Ents and Fireflys starting at sunrise (4.40am) and finishing at sunset (9.40pm). Posted on 23 Jun
Copyright 2025 YY Online Services Ltd. registered in England no. 7895890
Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy