Enterprise Open at Tamworth Sailing Club

This event the third in the 2014 Enterprise Midland Area Double Chine Series sponsored by Allen Brothers was held at Tamworth Sailing Club on Saturday 17th May 2014.

The seven boat fleet enjoyed the warm sunny conditions with a light and variable South Westerly wind.

After a short postponement the first race got under way, at a crowded committee boat end both Nigel Allso crewed by Kate Brazier (Tamworth SC) and Allan Roper crewed by Hugh Nethercote (Tamworth SC) were over the line and had to return. Mike Cossey crewed by Christine Barron (Sutton SC) made the best start, however it was Nigel and Kate who rounded the windward mark first ahead of Mike and Christine in second and Philip Harrison crewed by Louise Hassall (Midland SC) in third. The order remained the same for the next two legs until Paul Young crewed by Oliver Maclean (Midland SC) overtook Philip and Louise on the run. This order remained much the same with Nigel and Kate extending their lead to win the race. Paul and Oliver kept up the pressure on Mike and Christine who managed to hold out for second finishing just ahead of Paul and Oliver. Philip and Louise and Allan and Hugh also exchanged places several times with Allan and Hugh finishing fourth just ahead of Philip and Louise in fifth.

The second race was held on a new course after an excellent ploughman's lunch. Another tight start line, Paul and Oliver held the favoured committee boat end with Nigel and Kate to leeward and Mike and Christine squeezing in late to windward. Nigel and Kate led at the first mark from Mike and Christine, Allan and Hugh and Paul and Oliver. Paul and Oliver overtook Allan and Hugh on the first lap to catch up with Mike and Christine. Later as Nigel and Kate extended their lead which they held to the finish, Mike and Christine and Paul and Oliver battled constantly exchanging places several times. At the last mark Paul and Oliver just led from Mike and Christine. On the last beat to the finishing line there was a tacking duel, in an exciting finish at opposite ends of the line Mike and Christine beat Paul and Oliver by a boat length. Allan and Hugh were again fourth.

The start of the third race saw a large wind shift in the final twenty seconds before the start suddenly making the line difficult to cross on starboard tack. Paul and Oliver started from the pin end on port tack and managed to cross the whole fleet to take a substantial lead. Philip and Louise starting about ten seconds late on starboard tack from the committee boat end got a huge lift as the wind shifted back putting the rest of the fleet about. At the first windward mark Paul and Oliver led from Nigel and Kate in second, with Mike and Christine third and Philip and Louise in fourth. Philip and Louise battled with both Nigel and Kate and also Mike and Christine for a while. Nigel and Kate then broke clear and then overtook Paul and Oliver on a beat at the start of the second lap. Nigel and Kate now extended their lead to win their third race of the day. Paul and Oliver and Mike and Christine now battled for second place exchanging places a few times. At the last mark Paul and Oliver were once again ahead of Mike and Christine. On the last beat Mike and Christine tried a different route around the islands, however this time Paul and Oliver held their nerve to second a couple of boat lengths ahead of Mike and Christine in third. Allan and Hugh and Philip and Louise exchanged fourth and fifth positions several times eventually finishing in that order.

A welcome afternoon tea rounded the day off nicely.

Overall Results: