Enterprise National Championship at Exe Sailing Club - Runners & Riders
by Alan Roberts & Rhea Burton-Roberts 10 Jun 2018 14:18 BST
28 July - 3 August 2018
Jeremy and Rebecca Stephens at the Allen Brothers Enterprise Nationals © Gareth Fudge /
www.boatographic.co.uk
So, who will prevail in the 2018 Allen / North Sails / Gul Enterprise Nationals at Exe? Let's look at the hopefuls...
Jeremy & Becca Stephens
Reigning and defending champions. Lightweight and super-fit, they hold their own upwind and go like a bullet out of a gun off-wind. Jezza has been around for years, winning Nationals and Inlands and placing top five at the Worlds! Wise old dog - one of the hot favourites to win.
- STRENGTHS: Fitness and experience.
- WEAKNESS: If it blows big.
Darren & Natalie Roach
Brother and sister partnership that have grown up sailing together. Great awareness of each other's abilities in the boat. Came so close two years ago and at last year's Inlands. One to watch in the Allspars Enterprise!
- STRENGTHS: Co-ordination and boat speed.
- WEAKNESS: Bottle.
Tim Sadler & tbc
No matter who Tim teams up with, he will be one of the hot favourites. Multiple National, Inland and Masters Champion. Legend of the class, who will no doubt arrive 10 minutes before the first race. Anticipated to be at the front all week in his Peak Dinghy Enterprise!
- STRENGTHS: Wise old dog and bags of speed.
- WEAKNESS: Not having a crew.
Martin & Abi Honnor
Father and daughter duo, always fast when Martin stays out of trouble. Martin has been sailing his Solo for the last few years, and for sure it has benefited his boat speed and fleet racing. They always show surprising speed in the lumpy stuff for the light weight that they carry.
- STRENGTH: Fast in all winds.
- WEAKNESSES: Lack of practice, the rule book.
Phil Ford & Jane Humpage
Phil seems destined to be a bridesmaid and never the bride. Been on the podium plenty of times, but so far 1st place has eluded him! Can make a suit of sails last a lifetime and consistently fast.
- STRENGTHS: Consistently plugging steady results and lots of experience
- WEAKNESSES: Lack of practice and not replacing those sails.
Richard & Millie Pryke (dark horse)
New class Commodore and another father and daughter pairing. Getting faster and faster with each passing year. Now in their new Rondar, could they surprise everyone and go all the way?
- STRENGTHS: Plenty of time in the boat and ability to slip under the radar.
- WEAKNESS: Richard not staying inside his Rondar.
Steve Blackburn & TBC (entry TBC)
Multiple National winning crew, now the owner of 50 Shades of Blue. Never seems to be off the water. Very fast and all the wiser from Mr Lunns guidance.
- STRENGTHS: Experience in winning a few championships at the opposite end of the boat, great in the Rondar.
- WEAKNESSES: Getting that entry in and sorting a crew.
Find out more about the event at www.sailenterprise.co.uk/events/2018-national-championship