Enterprise Open at Pilkington Sailing Club
by Steve Blackburn 1 Jun 2009 13:00 BST
16 May 2009
Enterprises at Eccleston Mere © Steve Blackburn
16th May 2009, wet windy and overcast conditions greeted sailors to Eccleston Mere St Helens. Breakfast was being served which was great nourishment for the sailors which where to encounter on very tough racing.
The OD of the day Bill Rhodes at the grand age of 82 briefed all the sailors before the race. 9 boats soon launched their boats.
The turn out was very low due to the strength of the wind with some gusts around 30mph averaging out from 15 – 20 mph. Race 1 was a beat up the first buoy then another small beat. Onto a reach with a gybe. A run with the chance of a capsize, gybing for a broad reach again gybing for a reach and back onto the beat. The course stayed the same for all three races.
Mark Dingsdale & Clare Gerrard (Pilkington) had a flying start with Alan Roberts and Rob Lee (Pilkington) unfortunenatly they both sailed the wrong course and Royston Taggart and Diane Roberts (Pilkington) took full advantage. Tim & Jackie Finch (Chester), with Alan pushed to third. Royston came to the dreaded gybe and capsized letting Tim and Alan through. After a few laps Alan’s boat speed quickly caught and overtook Tim to win the race. Tim held onto 2nd and Mark redeemed himself to finish 3rd.
Break time was well deserved and Hotpot, vegetables and Apple pie and custard were the favourite dish. Usually at Eccleston Mere, an idyllic oasis with herons, dragonflies and 20 lb. carp jumping through the water. Hearing lions roaring from the Safari park 1 mile from the road. The only thing was roaring was the wind for race 2 and the odd competitor.
Again Mark led from the gun but couldn’t hold onto his lead. Many sailors were struggling with the conditions. Alan came to lead the race but capsized, also Mark capsized with many other sailors. This time Royston led with Chris Smith and Martin Rusk (Pilkington) in 2nd. 3rd well, many sailors held third, Tim for a while. Alan emptied the water from the Enter Box and over took all and even caught Royston. Alan was by far the fastest sailor of the event. Royston finished 1st, Alan 2nd and Chris 3rd.
It was all to play for in the last race; Royston & Alan both having a 1st each need win to secure Open. Again Alan & Roy started well both 1st & 2nd. Mark crewed by Steve Blackburn held 3rd for the 1st lap. Mark soon used his extra boat speed to full effect and left all the competitors by a huge margin. This changed things and Alan only needed to finish above 4th to win the open. Roy & Alan were inseparable. A strange shift hit Alan and he capsized. Chris Moved into 3rd and held his position. I might add Chris and Martin were the only sailors not to capsize. Alan back in 6th place was out of the running. Suddenly a squall came through and capsizes took place and Alan finish 5th. With Roy 2nd and Mark 1st
It was a tie Roy and Alan on the same points and discard. Roy won on the last race to carry rule. But I’m sure they would be happy to share the cup.
Results
1st Royston Taggart & Diane Roberts (Pilkington) 3pts
2nd Alan Roberts & Rob Lee (Pilkington) 3pt
3rd Mark Dingsdale & Claire Gerrard/Steve Blackburn (Pilkington) 4pts
4th Chris Smith & Martin Rusk (Pilkington) 6pts
5th Tim & Jackie Finch (Chester) 7pts
6th Paul Shepherd & Steve Bristow (Pilkington) 8pts
7th Trevor Fillingham & Karen Waine (Pilkington) 19pts
8th Richard Critchley & Helen (Pilkington) 19pts
9th Paul & George Graham (Burwain)