Enterprise Open at Tamworth Sailing Club
by Paul Young and Nancy Gudgeon 24 May 2011 11:07 BST
21 May 2011
This event the fifth in the 2011 Midland Area Double Chine Series sponsored by Speed Sails was held at Tamworth SC on Saturday 21st May. The seven boat fleet included only one visitor from Midland SC who enjoyed a cloudy, but warm day with a strong and gusty Southerly wind.
In the first race Nigel Allso and Kate Brazier (Tamworth SC) lead from the start, to finish first. Second place went to Paul Young and Nancy Gudgeon (Midland SC). Hugh Nethercot and Allan Roper (Tamworth SC) were third for a while until a spectacular capsize and lack of buoyancy led to their retirement. At the finish Peter Rotherham and Malcolm Coombes (Tamworth SC) were third.
The second race started after an excellent lunch, Nigel and Kate again led the fleet away to lead at the windward mark, closely followed by Paul and Nancy with Peter and Malcolm close behind. Nigel and Kate continued to build a commanding lead until the third lap when some fast downwind sailing by Paul and Nancy closed up the gap. Nigel and Kate responded to this challenge only by going faster up the next beat to increase their lead once more. Despite a good last beat by Paul and Nancy, Nigel and Kate held on to win by about ten boat lengths. Hugh and Allan finished third some distance behind.
With the overall winners already decided a weary Nigel and Kate sat out the last race. A depleted fleet of three boats started with the winner of this race now able to claim the runners up position. Paul and Nancy lead from the start with Hugh and Allan and Peter and Malcolm close behind. Gradually Paul and Nancy extended their lead, behind Hugh and Allan and Peter and Malcolm battled for the first lap. Later Hugh and Allan pulled away to close up the gap on Paul and Nancy for a while. Paul and Nancy then extended their lead again to finish first with Hugh and Allan second and Peter and Malcolm third.
Overall Results:
1st 20443, Nigel Allso & Kate Brazier (Tamworth SC) 2pts
2nd 22901, Paul Young & Nancy Gudgeon (Midland SC) 3pts
3rd 21487, Hugh Nethercot & Allan Roper (Tamworth SC) 6pts
4th 18212, Peter Rotherham & Malcolm Coombes (Tamworth SC) 7pts
5th 21835, D. Warriner & G. Williams (Tamworth SC) 9pts
6th= 21578, M. Cockerill & Jane Brock (Tamworth SC) 24pts
6th= 22825, Rob Wilson & Rob Dorricot (Tamworth SC) 24pts