Enterprise North East Area Championships at Ogston Sailing Club

Race 5 of the Enterprise North East Area Championships at Ogston © OSC

Mark Lunn and Steve Blackburn win the Enterprise North East Area Championships at Ogston © OSC

Ogston sailing club hosted the North East Area Championships which was generously sponsored by Harthill Brewery. The forecast of a force 3 gusting 4 with sunshine set the scene for what was to become a weekend of friendly and close racing for the fleet. 13 visitors joined the home fleet to bring 25 boats together to contest the Allen sponsored Enterprise NE, NW and Midland Area Series.

Race 1 rather set the theme for the day which started on the second attempt. Martin Honour & Millie Pryke led at the first mark from Mark Lunn and Steve Blackburn. The subsequent rounding's weren't quite as clean with even a capsize. Martin/ Millie fought a close covering duel for the next couple of laps against Mark/ Steve. Mark and Steve gained an advantage on the long reach to mark 6 to eventually pull ahead and claim first on the final lap. Andy & Sarah Gomm rounded out the top three.

Races 2 & 3 were sailed back to back, the race area and course was re-jigged but the fleet had lost little enthusiasm for pushing the line over lunch. The second race eventually started on the third attempt under a black flag which had already claimed a few contenders. Gez Brown & Julie Moore showed good speed in the shifty conditions tacking out of the middle of the line taking transoms and hooking into a nice right hand shift to round the windward mark behind Mark & Steve. With the wind coming across the width of the reservoir from the West the following windward legs offered close and tactical racing. The competition within the classic fleet was keen, with a luffing match developing into the final leeward mark between Mike/ Chris and Phil/ Amy. Mark & Steve sailed a controlled race in shifty conditions to take their second win of the day.

Race 3 resume is somewhat shorter as this correspondent suffered the fate of a black flag (should have listened to the crew!) Anyway the wind shifted left and those boats towards the pin carried the advantage Ann Jackson & Alan Skeens rounded the windward mark first pursued by Mark/ Steve, Andy & Sarah. The reach across the water to mark C proved eventful with Mark & Steve un-characteristically dropping a few places, this allowed Andy and Sarah to close on Ann & Alan. Matt Velamail & Tim Brownell moved up the fleet with Andy Short & Tom Cashin bouncing around the top 5 eventually finish 3rd. Andy and Sarah managed to prize the lead from Ann & Alan to take line honours.

The fleet retired to the clubhouse to discuss the days racing tactics over an evening meal this was preceded by the no small matter of a barrel of sponsored beer, this seemed to disappear surprisingly quickly (within 45 minutes). Proceeds from the sale went to local charities - as to its disposition within the fleet well tomorrow would tell! One lucky local sailor however went home after few pints too many with a centreboard in need of repair. The epoxy repair was eventually completed at 2am after an un-planned power nap on the kitchen table!

The fleet re-grouped early on Sunday morning to discuss over bacon sandwiches who was fit and able to sail this resulted in a few substitutes being sought - particularly if you enjoyed your 21st birthday the night before. Racing started under the now familiar black flag at the second attempt. In a shifty wind. Mark & Steve led at the windward mark, however the pursuing pack of 4 boats traded places throughout the race. The final beat saw Matt/ Tim take second behind Mark & Steve.

The final race started cleanly from a port biased line, the leading boat at the windward mark (Russell & Kate) came out of the middle of the line, in the ensuing legs the pursuing boats of Jonathan/ Kaye, Martin/ Millie & Mark/ Steve tangled with each other sufficiently to allow a reasonable gap to open up. The final lap, second to last leg proved a tricky one as the lead boat was becalmed yards from the turning mark with wind hanging temptingly just beyond. This as you might imagine caused great amusement for the following boats who in true Enterprise spirit offered much advice until.... in turn they suffered the same fate from their pursuers and so on back through the fleet!

The winners Mark Lunn and Steve Blackburn sailed a consistent series to win the North East Area Championships. First to third took home a complimentary keg of beer (!) The furthest travelling boat from Burghfield SC Ann Jackson & Alan Skeens, also received a keg of beer, with the final keg being drawn from a raffle of those competitors completing all races. The youngest sailors on the water were Kieran Goodliffe & Bertie West who were also sailing their first ever open meeting. The winners thanked Allen and Harthill Village brewery for sponsoring the event and Ogston SC for hosting an enjoyable weekends racing which was echoed by the fleet.

Overall Results: