Enterprise Midland Double Chine Series at Earlswood Lakes Sailing Club

Earlswood Lakes Enterprise Open © James Patterson

Ian & Marie lead from Mike & Margot during the Earlswood Lakes Enterprise Open © James Patterson

This event the second in the Midland area Double Chine series was held at Earlswood Lakes SC on Sunday 10th May 2015.

The nine boat fleet which included visitors from Draycote, Midland, Redditch and Sutton sailing clubs, who were greeted by a moderate but gusty South Westerly wind blowing straight down the lake.

The first race saw Mike Cossey crewed by Margot Bish (Sutton SC/ Redditch SC) round the first windward mark in the lead with Ian Ingram crewed by Marie Bond (Earlwood Lakes SC) and Paul Young crewed by Diana Cross (Midland SC) close behind. Over the next few laps despite many challenges the order remained the same. On the last lap Mike and Margot let the excitement get to them allowing Ian and Marie to take the lead. Paul and Diana also passed Mike and Margot to gain second place. On the final beat Paul and Diana challenged Ian and Marie who held on to win by two boat lengths. Mike and Margot finished third with Phil Harrison crewed by Emma Coleman (Midland SC) fourth and Charles Speakman crewed by Mark Cuxsan (Earlswood Lakes SC) fifth.

The second race started on the same course after a short tea break. Mike and Margot again rounded the windward mark first, with Paul and Diana second and Ian and Marie third. Mike and Margot went left on the following run, whilst Paul and Diana stayed more central in the stronger wind to take the lead just before the gybe mark. Paul and Diana then built up a little lead over the next two laps with Mike and Margot and Ian and Marie battling behind exchanging places often. On the third lap Mike and Margot caught Paul and Diana and called starboard on them on a beat approaching a mark which was not part of the course. Paul and Diana then tacked underneath them and Paul got confused and ended up gybing round behind both Mike and Margot and Ian and Marie thinking he had no water rights. Ian and Marie now seized the opportunity in the confusion to take a substantial lead with Mike and Margot second and Paul and Diana further back in third. Ian and Marie sailed well to win both this race and the meeting, whilst Paul and Diana and caught up Mike and Margot on the final beat. In an exciting finish Mike and Margot held their nerve to finish second with Paul and Diana finishing third two boat lengths behind. Phil and Emma were again fourth.

After an excellent hot lunch with crumble and cream pudding the third race would decide the minor places. Mike and Margot rounded the windward mark first, with Paul and Diana second and Ian and Marie third, after failing to lay the mark. Mike and Margot led for a lap. Later Ian and Marie got inside Paul and Diana at the gybe mark to take second place. On the next beat Ian and Marie took the lead which they held to the finish. On a very exciting last beat Mike and Margot covered Paul and Diana almost all the way to the finish. In the last thirty boat lengths a determined Paul and Diana broke cover and approached the finish line on starboard tack with Mike and Margot extremely close on port tack, forcing them to tack underneath them about two boat lengths from the finish line. In a photo finish in front of the clubhouse Mike and Margot beat Paul and Diana by inches securing second place overall.

Many thank to everyone involved at Earlswood Lakes Sailing Club for a great day's racing.

Overall Results: