Enterprise Midland Double Chine Series at Tamworth Sailing Club

This event, the third in the Enterprise Midland Area Double Chine Series sponsored by Speed Sails was held at Tamworth Sailing Club. The weather was fine with a moderate but gusty breeze. The seven boat fleet included four visitors from Midland, Shustoke, Roundhill and Sutton.

Race 1 had a heavily biased port line and saw most of the fleet start nearest the pin. First at the windward mark was Mike Cossey crewed by Christine Barron (Sutton SC), second was Neil Barrett crewed by Sophie Jones (Roundhill SC) and third was Paul Young crewed by Megan Ward (Midland SC) with Nigel Allso and Kate Brazier (Tamworth SC) in fourth.

At the third mark Paul and Megan took advantage of other peoples mistakes to take the lead for a lap, with Mike and Christine, Neil and Sophie, Nigel and Kate, constantly battling behind. At a windward mark Paul and Megan lost out with Nigel and Kate now taking the lead down the following long run. Nigel and Kate continued to lead for a few legs when a rare mistake, choosing the wrong side of the island, dropped him to fourth. Neil and Sophie then took the lead with Paul and Megan close behind.

Paul and Megan passed Neil and Sophie on a beat to take the lead but this was short lived and Neil and Sophie once again took the lead. Nigel and Kate passed Paul and Megan at the penultimate mark to gain second place. On the final beat Nigel and Kate kept Neil and Sophie under pressure. However, they kept their cool to win by a boat length. Nigel and Kate were second with Paul and Megan a close third.

Race 2 started on the same course after a ploughmans lunch. At the windward mark Paul and Megan lead from Nigel and Kate with Mike and Christine third. Paul and Megan built their lead while Nigel and Kate battled it out with Mike and Christine but hung on to second. Eventually Nigel and Kate broke clear and caught up with Paul and Megan on the third lap. Nigel and Kate passed Paul and Megan at the start of a long downwind leg and took the lead which they held to the finish. Paul and Megan were a close second with Mike and Christine third.

Race 3 saw Nigel and Kate and Mike and Christine make the best starts from the pin end. At the first windward mark Nigel and Kate lead with Mike and Christine close behind. Paul and Megan were third with Hugh Nethercote crewed by Alan Roper (Tamworth SC) fourth. Mike and Christine applied the pressure on Nigel and Kate for the first lap almost taking the lead at the end of the long run. However, on the second lap Nigel and Kate broke well clear and increased their lead to win comfortably. Mike and Christine stayed secure in second with another battle for third place between Paul and Megan and Neil and Sophie. Neil and Sophie retained the upper hand to beat Paul and Megan by three boat lengths.

Overall Results: