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 Masters and Scottish Nationals
Scottish Bluebell series goes to St Mary's Loch A fleet representing clubs from all points north, south, east and west gathered for the Enterprise Masters and Scottish Nationals held at St Mary's Loch SC on the August bank holiday weekend. Posted on 4 Sep Enterprise Cock of the North at Bassenthwaite
A weekend to remember, during Bass Week Tight fleet racing, shifty winds and plenty of drama made for a fantastic Cock of the North Area Championships at Bassenthwaite Lake, held as part of Bass Week. Posted on 13 Aug Enterprise Northern Series at Wigan
Sadler and Sault triumph after patience rewarded The Enterprise Northern Series returned to Wigan & St Helens Sailing Club for one of the calendar's most popular fixtures, incorporating the UK Masters Championship. Posted on 12 Aug Enterprise Scottish Bluebell Series at Loch Tummel
A pursuit race followed by the 'Up An Dun' race, best described as a 'mini Birkett' The fourth event of the Scottish Bluebell series was held at Loch Tummel SC at the start of 'Tummel Week' with a different format to the previous events. Posted on 30 Jul Penarth YC Regatta and ILCA Wessex Grand Prix
Nobody can walk well today "That was proper regatta sailing!" Visitors from local clubs and across the water in England enjoyed a challenging five races is blustery but sunny conditions at Penarth Yacht Club's 2026 regatta on 25th 26th July. Posted on 27 Jul Enterprise Midlands Double Chine Series at Midland
Competitors came from as far as Looe, Huddersfield, and Durham This event, the third in the Enterprise Midland area Double Chine series, was held at Midland SC. The conditions were warm and dry with plenty of cloud, there was a gusty F4 West South westerly wind, giving planing conditions and the odd capsize. Posted on 6 Jul Enterprises at Largo Bay
Third event of the Scottish Bluebell Series and the Scottish Masters The third event of the Bluebell series was held over a windy weekend. As usual at Largo the RO set a triangle/sausage course. The wind refused to play for the first 20 minutes or so and the start was delayed before it eventually filled in from offshore. Posted on 3 Jul Frensham Pond Enterprise Open
Sailing alongside the GP14 fleet on Sunday The Enterprise Open meeting on 28th June, an event of the Thames Valley trophy, saw a fleet of five consisting of two visitors and three home boats sharing the water with nine GP14s in their Open. Posted on 2 Jul Commodore's report from Enterprise Nationals
More Than a Championship When people look back on a championship week, they often remember the results, the trophies and the racing. What stays with me most, however, are the people, the atmosphere and the extraordinary effort that went into making it a success. Posted on 24 Jun Enterprise Masters Championship Preview
Round 4 of the 2026 Cock of the North Northern Series at WiSH SC The 2026 Cock of the North Northern Series heads to Wigan & St Helens SC next month for what promises to be one of the standout weekends of the season, as the fourth round of the series combines with the Enterprise National Masters Championship. Posted on 22 Jun
Copyright 2026 YY Online Services Ltd. registered in England no. 7895890
Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy