Enterprise Midland Double Chine Series at Barnt Green Sailing Club

Mike Cossey and Margot Bish during the Barnt Green Enterprise Open © Robin Brown

Paul Young and Jan Kimber during the Barnt Green Enterprise Open © Robin Brown

This event, the second in the Midland Area Enterprise Double Chine Series, was held at Barnt Green Sailing Club on Saturday 14th May 2016.

The conditions were dry and sunny with a light and variable Northerly wind. The eight boats included four visitors from Rugby and Daventry, Midland and Sutton sailing clubs. The first race started from a port biased start line saw Mike Cossey crewed by Margot Bish (Sutton SC) round the windward mark first with Paul Young crewed by Jan Kimber (Midland SC) second and Martin Davies crewed by Rebecca Bradley (Rugby and Daventry SC) third. Mike and Margot extended their lead whilst Paul and Jan and Martin and Rebecca battled for second place, later Mike Pickworth crewed by Alice Pickworth (Barnt Green SC) also joined in. Paul and Jan passed Mike and Alice on the long run. Martin and Rebecca and Paul and Jan then continued to exchange places a few more times. Mike and Margot won this race easily with Martin and Rebecca second and Paul and Jan third.

The second race started on the same course after an excellent lunch of jacket potatoes. The wind was even lighter and more variable especially just after the start. Martin and Rebecca rounded the windward mark first with Mike and Margot second and Gordon and Rose Padmore (Barnt Green SC) third. Mike and Margot took the lead on the long run but unfortunately capsized gybing at the leeward mark. Paul and Jan had a good next beat to gain second place by the next windward mark. The order then remained much the same for the remainder of the race with Martin and Rebecca extending a good lead for some considerable time. Paul and Jan caught Martin and Rebecca on the last lap, however Martin and Rebecca held their nerve to win with Paul and Jan second and Mike and Alice third.

The third race was all to play for as there were still three possible overall winners. Mike and Margot were over the line at the start and had to return. At the first mark Martin and Rebecca rounded first with Paul and Jan second and also Richard Tuckett crewed by Cheryl Kiely (Barnt Green SC) close behind in third. Mike and Margot recovered well from their bad start to gain third after three laps, whilst Martin and Rebecca held the lead throughout despite being pressured by Paul and Jan through most of the race. The winning helm Martin Davies thanked all involved at Barnt Green sailing club for a good day's racing.

Overall Results:

Martin Davies and Rebecca Bradley win the Barnt Green Enterprise Open - photo © Robin Brown