Enterprise Midland Area Championships at Middle Nene Sailing Club

Enterprise Midland Area Championships 2015 © Lucy Twynham

Enterprise Midland Area Championships 2015 © Lucy Twynham

Sixteen boats contested this event, the first in the Midland Area Double Chine series. The conditions were bright and breezy, with the moderate to strong wind increasing throughout the weekend to survival conditions by the last race.

With everyone keen to get racing the first race saw a general recall. Getting away from the restart best was Ges Brown and Julie Moore (SCYC) followed by Jon Woodward and Karen Alexander (South Staffs SC) and Sam Woods crewed by Abigail Honnor (Glossop/Ogston SC). Some slight confusion in Brown/Moore boat saw them sail towards the wrong mark, allowing Jon and Karen to take the lead.

Steve Graham and Alex Halliwell (Northampton SC) surged through on the run into second place followed by Sam and Abi. As the wind increased the gusts caught a few boats out, with Ges and Julie nosediving, and Sam and Abi, also Matt Velamail and Tim Brownell both going for a swim. Steve and Alex made the best of the increasing conditions to take the win from Jon and Karen whilst Neil Barrett crewed by Sophie Jones (Wanlip SC) had a tight battle with Alan Johnson crewed by Kaye Tickle (SCYC) who managed to finish third.

After an excellent lunch the second race started on the same course. The pin end was favoured; Alan and Kaye were over the line at this end and had to return. At the windward mark it was Matt and Tim first followed by Ges and Julie then Alan and Kaye who managed to pull back to third. The increasing wind saw several capsizes and many changes of positions however Matt and Tim built up a good lead to win by a huge margin. Following them over the finish line was Alan and Kaye with Jon and Karen coming in third followed by Ges and Julie who were fourth.

Race three was sailed back to back with race two on a new course. Again the pin end of the start line was favoured. At the first windward mark Alan and Kaye led from Matt and Tim with Steve and Alex rounding in third, Ges and Julie fourth, and Mike Cossey and Margot Bish (Sutton/Redditch SC) rounding fifth. Matt and Tim took control of the race after the third mark and led the race. At the last leeward mark Alan and Kaye were on Matt and Tim's tail however Matt and Tim held their nerve to finish first. Alan and Kaye followed in second and Steve and Alex third.

After our great Greek evening Sunday dawned even windier. An increasing forecast put one or two teams off and it was only nine starters who came to the start line. Conditions were quite exciting with multiple capsizes which kept the spectators happy. Matt and Tim led this race from start to finish. Alan and Kaye were second for a while until an unfortunate capsize on the beat slowed them down allowing several boats past. John and Karen finished second with Alan and Kaye recovering well to finish third.

The fifth and final race saw the wind rise another notch. With the fleet now reduced to eight boats of which only four were upright as the start gun sounded. Alan and Kaye starting at the pin end cleared the fleet on port tack. With winds still rising Matt and Tim gained the lead briefly until carnage at a leeward mark where several boats capsized. Alan and Kaye remained upright showing us how to do it finishing almost a lap ahead. Second Alan Roberts and Alex Pilkington (Royal Navy/Bolton SC) with Jon and Karen third after several capsizes each.

This gave a very close finish on equal points between Matt and Tim and Alan and Kaye, Matt and Tim just winning on count back. Winning helm Matt Velamail thanked everyone at Middle Nene for an excellent weekends sailing.

Overall Results:

Enterprise Midland Area Championships 2015 - photo © Lucy Twynham