Glorious sunny weather greeted 56 entrants to the Enterprise Inland championships at St Mary’s Loch Sailing Club over the weekend 1st/2nd May.
Here is a report by Tim Sadler (Hallamshire SC):
After a great start, Jack & Joe Banks from Sheffield Viking SC led the fleet up the first beat, closely followed by Euan Dunn and Fi Foulkes from Loch Lomond SC. As the race progressed, these two were joined by Martin Honnor & Simon Haighton then Tim Sadler & Richard Sault, both Hallamshire SC. The first four opened up a reasonable lead and by half way down the 2nd run it was already looking like they’d share the first four positions between them. But then the wind died. And when it returned it brought the rest of the fleet down the run with it. Malcolm Lunn & Keith Renz from Leigh & Lowton SC made the largest gain, moving from DTP into 3rd position, behind Tim/Salty who had just managed to sneak into the front in the doldrums, and Jack/Joe.
Going around the last leeward mark it was Tim/Salty, followed by Jack/Joe, then Malcolm/Keith.
Tim/Salty sailed a conservative last beat and crossed the line first, but not without a fright just before the finishing line when Malcolm/Keith again sniffed out their own private wind supply. Jack/Joe came in 3rd followed by Euan/Fi and David Coady & Mark Smith from Tynemouth SC, who had passed Martin/Simon up the last beat.
The wind steadily dropped as the rest of the fleet finished, and despite waiting for the wind to return it never did & the race officer was forced to cancel for the day.
Everyone had a great time on Saturday night, when the club organised a barbecue, a well stocked bar, and some mad Scottish tribal dancing.
Sunday dawned, with the sun still shining & a decent force 3.
Euan/Fi were quickly into the lead in the 2nd race and sailed a good race to come home unchallenged in 1st place. Tim/Salty had a steady race coming home 2nd, followed by Martin/Simon, Jon Woodward & Alex Halliwell from Redditch SC then Chris & Al Fry from Hallamshire.
Jack /Joe made a good start in the third race & led the fleet up the first beat. Tim/Salty followed in 2nd with a pack of 5 boats vying for 3rd for the remainder of the lap. On the 2nd beat Tim & Salty paid the penalty for not watching the chasing bunch & after a big shift dropped back behind them all. By the windward mark Martin/Simon had pulled into a comfortable 2nd & now had their sights set on Jack/Joe. The gap continued to close until about 50 yards from the finish line where Martin/Simon (we never tack too close) lee bowed Jack/Joe (oh yes you do) who were forced to tack off. These two were now far enough from everybody else for there to be no witnesses and Jack/Joe’s protest was unsuccessful, leaving Martin/Simon as race winners. Chris/Al came in 3rd followed by Jonathan & Karl Lye from Notts County SC then Tim/Salty.
After a warming soup & roll, the fourth race started in a stronger breeze. Taking advantage of a large shift half way up the first beat, Pete Lawson & Dennis Swain from Bassenthwaite SC quickly moved into a massive lead which they held unchallenged until the finish. After bad first beats, Martin/Simon & Tim/Salty moved steadily through the fleet and by the start of the last beat it was Martin/Simon in 2nd followed by Jonathan/Karl then Tim Salty and Jack/Joe. Tim/Salty were closing, but it seemed like time was running out. Eventually Tim/Salty over-hauled Jonathan/Karl but it still seemed like Martin/Simon had a relatively easy covering job to keep 2nd and move into the lead in the championship.
Perhaps to return the favour from the 3rd race, Martin/Simon failed to cover & Tim/Salty just managed to pinch 2nd, followed by Martin/Simon, Jonathan/Karl then Jack/Joe.
One race to go, and Tim/Salty led Martin/Simon by two points. The wind was still increasing and Martin/Simon must have still fancied their chances.
Sadly, the race officials were unable to start the final race, the final straw being when a force 7 gust ripped the committee boat from its anchorage 30 seconds before the start.
With the day nearly gone, and a forty minute sail to get back to the club, the race officer cancelled the race & Tim & Salty became 2004 Inland champions.
The Enterprise Association would like to thank everyone from St Mary’s Loch who helped with organising this extremely well run event.
Pictures of the weekend by Alan Henderson.
Browse and purchase these - any many more - at Alan's website www.fotoboat.com.
Ent Inl 062-6
Ent Inl 172-6
Ent Inl 020-6
Ent Inl Sun 103-6
Ent Inl Sun 181-6