Enterprise Open at Winsford Flash Sailing Club

Enterprises at Winsford Flash © Jonathan Latham

Enterprises at Winsford Flash © Jonathan Latham

This event, the first in the 2016 'Top Helm' series in the Northwest area, was held at Winsford Flash Sailing Club on Sunday 24th April, with a total of nine boats taking part. Five of these were visitors from a range of sailing clubs such as: Etherow Sailing Club, Southport Sailing Club, Midland Sailing Club, Ripon Sailing Club and West Lancashire Yacht Club.

The conditions were gusty, with a northerly wind and infrequent showers, making sailing challenging.

In the first race, Alan Johnson crewed by Paula Fisher, from Southport Sailing Club, made it first around the windward mark. They were closely followed by Paul Young crewed by Aimee Allsopp from Midland Sailing Club, with Charles Adams crewed by Alex Halliwell, from West Lancashire Yacht Club in third. James Morley crewed by Millie Pryke from Ripon Sailing Club were fourth. Charles and Alex soon passed Paul and Aimee to gain second place. However, as the race continued, James and Millie overtook both Paul and Aimee, and Charles and Alex, maintaining this second position until the finish. Charles and Alex finished third with Paul and Aimee fourth just holding off John Berry crewed by Neil Bawden from Etherow SC after a battle on the final lap.

After a kindly-prepared, scrumptious lunch of cottage pie, topped off with homemade cake, the second race commenced with a new course. In the now, lighter winds, Charles and Alex led around the windward mark, with Paul and Aimee second; with these two very much clear of the chasing fleet. In the following lap, Charles and Alex extended this lead. In the second lap, Alan and Paula reeled Paul and Aimee in; slowly closing in on Charles and Alex in the concluding laps. Nevertheless, Charles and Alex held their nerve to win the race, with Alan and Paula second. Paul and Aimee finished third, just managing to hold off James and Millie in the now windier conditions.

After a short break, the third race took place in the windiest conditions of the day causing several capsizes. With the overall places yet to be decided, there was all to play for, with another new course that included 4 gybe marks. This race started off with Alan and Paula in the lead at the windward mark from Charles and Alex. James and Millie soon passed Paul and Aimee to acquire third place. Later James and Millie overtook Charles and Alex after applying pressure to them, to take second place in this race. This, however, was not enough for James and Millie to be second overall, as Charles and Alex attained first place in the second race.

Winning helm, Alan Johnson, thanked everyone at Winsford Flash Sailing Club for an excellent day of sailing.

Overall Results: