Allen Enterprise National Championship at Tenby Sailing Club - Overall

Darren and Hayley celebrate winning the Enterprise Nationals at Tenby © Alistair Mackay

Fancy dress during the Enterprise Nationals at Tenby © Alistair Mackay

Celebrations began early at the Allen Enterprise Nationals at the end of Thursday as with one race remaining, Darren and Hayley Roach of Looe SC were announced as the clear winners with just 11 points over the eight races sailed. With a ten point lead, it was impossible for second-placed Jeremy and Becca Stephens to overtake them, but the Stephens had also secured a safe second place, ten points ahead of Phil Ford and Jane Humpage in third.

With the traditional Thursday night's rowdy fancy dress party at the club, Darren was the picture of "elf and happiness" as they celebrated along with the rest of the Enterprise and Redwing crowd. Despite winning with a race to spare, Darren admitted it hadn't been an easy win, having some closely fought duels with Jeremy and Becca Stephens. "We didn't come with any expectations," said Darren, "and with a 15-month old son, Hayley and I haven't raced together for several years. However, the weather suited us; we were powered up and with the shifty conditions you really had to get your head around the tactics." Jeremy Stephens agreed: "I knew Becca and I were in with a chance, but whilst we've sailed together a bit (since her return to the UK from Australia) we haven't had the benefit of any high-level racing together prior to this champs."

In third place, and with just two points separating Phil Ford and Jane Humpage from fourth place Martin Honnor and Isobel Hedley-Fenn and everything to play for in the closely bunched group behind them, there was an air of tense anticipation in the dinghy park as Friday dawned to light and fickle wind. With only one race scheduled and SI's dictating that it had to be completed by 14.00, the postponement flag kept everyone ashore until by 12.30pm, it was decided that there was not enough wind to run the race.

This is the first Enterprise national championship held since 2019, and saw many familiar faces as well as several new ones keen to come and have a go at a championship event in a popular holiday venue. Helms ranged in age from under 21 to over three score and ten, and crews of all ages, it was good to see a fair gender split with 50% female crews, and four women helms. A real family event, there were four father/daughter teams competing for the Generation Tray Trophy.

The class offered a warm welcome to newcomers including Ben Wilder and Matt Jones from London Corinthian SC, and William Griffiths and Alex Rich from Penarth, George Panter and Boyen Chestnutt from Ulley SC and Tom and George McLaren from Looe SC. As well as a variety of crew age and experience, this strictly one-design class ensured close competitive racing in boats that ranged from the new Rondar Mk3 models through to boats 30 years old.

First time helm William Griffiths said, "We've really enjoyed our first champs. We've been made to feel really welcome and had lots of encouragement from everyone in the fleet. It's also been a lovely family holiday." Ben Wilder, also taking part in his first nationals agreed. "The fleet has been really friendly, and given a lot of helpful advice both on shore and even on the water. It's great to get so much time out racing which has helped us learn more and improve. "

Category awards included The Peter Squires Nationals Team Trophy won by Looe SC, and the Ginga Plate, awarded to the lowest qualified boat completing all races, won by William Griffiths and Alex Rich from Penarth YC.

The Iris Bowl for first lady helm went to Ann Jackson and Alan Skeens, who showed outstanding and consistent form coming fifth overall. Having sailed together for 24 years, this year saw Ann competing in a 16-year old wooden JJ Boat, having found it more comfortable to sail in with (in her words) "knackered knees".

Sailing their new Rondar Mk3 hull, Darren and Hayley Roach not only won overall, but also the coveted Mary Arnold Baker trophy for first lady, and Rolling Pin trophy as first couple. In his beautifully renovated 26-year old hull, Jeremy and daughter Becca Stephens took second place, also being awarded the Admirals Grandmaster Helm over 50, and Generation Tray.

In third place, Phil Ford and Jane Humpage won the over Roy Barker Veteran Helm over 60 Helm award, and for Jane, the Betty Southworth Trophy for crew aged over 40. Sailing in her first National Championships crew Isobel Hadley-Fenn came 4th overall with helm Martin Honnor. Tom McLaren, crewed by brother George from Looe SC was the first helm under 21 awarded with the Yachts & Yachting Trophy, and George Panter and Boyen Chestnutt were the leaders in the "First Timers" category, with Boyen also scooping the Under 18 Ron Brittain Trophy.

With an amazing array of prizes handed out during the week, including daily lucky prize draws, the final draw for the Selden boom was won by Steve Blackburn - a popular winner thanks to his DJ'ing skills which were much appreciated by the fleet throughout the week. Winner Darren Roach made a superb thank you speech, and warmly thanked Race Officer Nigel Denchfield and his team of helpers from Tenby SC and Looe SC, and the many volunteer members of the Enterprise Association who had ensured the whole event ran so smoothly.

The class is now looking forward to its 2023 programme of national circuit events, inlands and next year's national championships, and on rebuilding attendance at events to pre-pandemic numbers. First-timer helm Ben Wilder and crew Matt Jones summed it up: "We've had such a great time, we've spent more time on the water than we usually do, and learnt such a lot, we'll certainly be back. "

Overall Results:
If you finished in the top ten at the Enterprise nationals then enter your Gear Guide information here