Enterprise Midland Area Double Chine Series at Emberton Park Sailing Club

Luke Fisher and Ashton during the Enterprise Midland Double Chine Series at Emberton Park © Rob Bell

Enterprise Midland Double Chine Series at Emberton Park © Rob Bell

This event, the seventh in the Enterprise Association Midland Area Double Chine series, was held at Emberton Park Sailing Club on Sunday 1st October 2017. Six boats, which included two visitors from Rugby and Daventry SC and Midland Sailing Clubs, were greeted by a cloudy day with a gusty force three South Easterly wind which built in strength throughout the day.

Race one saw a short beat Luke Fisher crewed by Ashton (Emberton Park SC) soon took the lead which they held for a couple of laps, until Martin Davies crewed by Rebecca Bradley (Rugby and Daventry SC) passed them downwind. Martin and Rebecca held onto this lead and won this race. The battle for second place saw positions change several times but Paul Young crewed by Evan Base (Midland SC) took this. Grahame Yates crewed by Emma Hardinges finished third.

The second race was sailed back to back with the first on the same course. This time a pile up at the first mark saw Derek Bryant crewed by Serena Stewardson (Emberton Park SC) take the lead followed by Paul and Evan, with Luke and Ashton third. Over the next few laps places changed often. Martin and Rebecca sailed brilliantly to recover after a poor first leg and took the lead after a few laps. Once again Martin and Rebecca won this race, by a good margin but not until they had fought off several challenges from the rest of the fleet. Luke and Ashton finished second with Paul and Evan third.

Lunch was now taken with a hot dogs and burgers going down a treat.

For the third race the wind had increased causing a few capsizes. Martin and Rebecca took a port tack flyer to take unassailable lead which they held throughout the race, to complete their hat trick despite having a capsize during the first lap. Second place in this race kept changing as Paul and Evan and Luke and Ashton battled constantly. In a photo finish Luke and Ashton beat Paul and Evan by inches to take second place in both this race and the contest. Youngster Ashton was delighted with his crew's trophy for being the first Emberton Park boat having only learnt to sail during this summer.

Luke Fisher and Ashton finish 2nd in the Enterprise Midland Double Chine Series at Emberton Park - photo © Karen Bell

Overall winner Martin Davies thanked everyone at Emberton Park Sailing Club for a good day's racing.

Martin Davies and Rebecca Bradley win the Enterprise Midland Double Chine Series at Emberton Park - photo © Karen Bell

The next event is the final event of the 2017 series is at Rudyard Lake Sailing Club on Saturday 28th October.

Overall Results:

Midland Area Double Chine Series Results: (after round 7)