Enterprise National Circuit & Midland Championship at Middle Nene SC

Tim Sadler & Richard Sault during the Enterprise Midland Area Championship at Middle Nene © Wilf Kunze

Enterprise Midland Area Championship at Middle Nene © Wilf Kunze

This event, the first in the Enterprise National Circuit sponsored by North Sails and Peak Dinghy Spares also incorporated the Midland Area Championships, was held at Middle Nene Sailing Club on the weekend of the 9th and 10th of April 2016. The wind was a south westerly, force 2-3; with warm sunshine making it an excellent spring morning.

Race one got away at the first attempt, with Jonathan Woodward crewed by Karen Alexander (South Staffs SC) leading at the first windward mark. They were followed by Matt Velamail crewed by Tim Brownell (Yorkshire SC) and third Ges Brown crewed by Julie Moore (SCYC). At the bottom mark, Jonathan and Karen went out to the right of the course, suffering in less pressure and a header. Matt and Tim came through to take first place and extended their lead winning the race easily. Towards the end of the race, the wind became very light and fluky. By which time, Tim Sadler crewed by Richard Sault (Yorkshire Dales SC) had worked their way up into second place, which they held to the finish. Ges and Julie finished third.

Race two started after an excellent lunch and got away after one general recall. In a light and patchy wind which built up on the last lap. Matt and Tim rounded the windward mark first with Tim and Richard second. Ali Morrish crewed by Nick Scutt (JLR Sailing Assn/MNSC) made full use of the lifts on the left hand side of the course to round third. On the following beat, Tim and Richard passed Matt and Tim to take the lead which they held to the finish. Matt and Tim finished second with Neil Barrett and Sophie Jones finishing third in the now planing conditions.

The third race was sailed back to back with the second, after another general recall. This time Jonathan and Karen rounded the windward mark first, followed by Alan Johnson crewed by Steve Blackburn (Southport SC/West Lancs YC) with Steve Graham crewed by Alex Halliwell (Northampton SC/WLYC) close behind. On the third lap Neil and Sophie took a gamble, on the far left hand side of the beat whilst Tim and Richard, Jonathan and Karen and Steve and Alex went to right. Inland Champions Neil and Sophie took lead, which they kept to the finish despite a tense final beat to the finish line.

This meant that Tim and Richard were the overnight leaders, with Matt and Tim in second and Neil and Sophie in third; with all to play for tomorrow. A splendid meal by enjoyed by all.

Sunday dawned bright and sunny with a much steadier and stronger breeze from the East. Race Four saw a big header on the start line in the last 30 seconds; which meant some boats had difficulty crossing the line. Ges and Julie made a brilliant start from the pin end to lead the race from start to finish. Steve and Alex had a brief battle with Neil and Sophie before pulling well clear to finish second. Tim and Richard finished third with Neil and Sophie fourth.

The fifth race was started back to back on another new course, with everything still to play for and three potential winners. Jonathan and Karen had a comfortable lead at the windward mark. Steve and Alex rounded the windward mark second ahead of Neil and Sophie in third. National champions Tim and Richard eventually got going and managed to reel in Ges and Julie, Matt and Tim, and Neil and Sophie, to finish third behind Steve and Alex. No-one was able to catch Jonathan and Karen who maintained their lead and finished as race winners.

With five different race winners, the overall results were close; however Tim and Richard's third was just enough to win the event. Steve and Alex were runners up, one point behind with Neil and Sophie third.

Winning helmsman Tim Sadler thanked everyone at Middle Nene Sailing Club for a good weekend's racing.

The next event in the Enterprise National Circuit is the Inland Championships at Bristol Corinthian Yacht Club on the 7th/ 8th of May.

Overall Results:

Tim Sadler & Richard Sault win the Enterprise Midland Area Championship at Middle Nene - photo © Wilf Kunze