National sailing event to be held at Cheddar reservoir this weekend.

WORKING with Bristol Water, Bristol Corinthian Yacht Club (BCTC) will host a national sailing event this weekend, May 14/15.

The 2011 Enterprise Inland National Championship will commence at 2pm on Saturday. Approximately 40 of the country’s best sailors will come from all over the UK to compete in the prestigious championship.

BCYC was chosen to host the event because of its superb sailing water, good wind reputation, respected race management team and perhaps above all its friendly atmosphere and reputation for putting on a good social after the sailing.

Several West Country teams are in the running for the silverware - former ladies world champion Alice Allen (crewed by Andy Massey), from Low Ham near Langport, will this year have an added challenge, to beat her husband Johnny, sailing with their daughter Libby (13).

Husband and wife team Phil and Jackie Franklin from Cheddar have done well in club racing recently and are also in with a good chance.

Another local sailor to look out for will be Ian Wakeling, who whilst not always in the top 10, will have the advantage of sailing on home waters.

The two-person Enterprise sailing dinghy with its distinctive blue sails was designed in 1956 by Jack Holt, but over 50 years on has not lost is charm and is still sailed worldwide.

Some of the wooden boats owned by the Bristol Corinthian sailors are over 25 years old. Veteran sailor Bryan Smith, of Shipham, plus boat and crew will tot up a total age of well over 100 between them!

Racing on Cheddar reservoir can be easily watched from the shore and a footpath around the edge makes a pleasant 1.5 mile walk.