Enterprise Midland Area Double Chine Series at Tamworth Sailing Club

Enterprise Midland Area Double Chine Series at Tamworth © Mitesh Patel

Enterprise Midland Area Double Chine Series at Tamworth © Mitesh Patel

Enterprise Midland Area Double Chine Series at Tamworth © Mitesh Patel

This event, the third in the 2016 Enterprise Midland Area Double Chine Series, was held at Tamworth Sailing Club in Saturday 21st May. The conditions were overcast, with a moderate south westerly wind and occasional rain showers and gusts.

The eight boats included five visitors from: SCYC, Rugby and Daventry SC, Midland SC and Sutton SC. In the first race, Nigel Allso crewed by Kate Brazier (Tamworth SC) led around the first windward mark, closely followed by Alan Johnson crewed by Hannah Edge (SCYC) with Martin Davies crewed by Rebecca Bradley (Rugby and Daventry SC). On the following downwind leg Nigel and Kate, and Martin and Rebecca sailed towards the wrong buoy; allowing Alan and Hannah to take the lead with Paul Young crewed by Emma Coleman (Midland SC) second. On the next beat Paul and Emma managed to take the lead from Alan and Hannah. By the start of the second lap, Paul and Emma had extended their lead to several boat legs. Alan and Hannah started to reel in Paul and Emma and caught them just before the leeward mark.

On the following beat the first 4 positions completely changed. Nigel and Kate went from fourth to first with Paul and Emma dropping back from second to fourth. Alan and Hannah fell to second. Nigel and Kate followed by Martin and Rebecca increased their lead over the other two boats, with Alan and Hannah in third and Paul and Emma fourth. On the last beat Nigel and Kate, and Martin and Rebecca exchanged places repeatedly. Coming up to the finish line Martin and Rebecca snatched the win by half a boat length.

After a superb Ploughman's lunch the second race was started on the same course. Nigel and Kate once again led round the windward mark, followed by Martin and Rebecca. Alan and Hannah rounded third with Paul and Emma fourth. Nigel and Kate hit the mark and their penalty turn resulted in them dropping to fourth place. At the closely contested leeward mark, Alan and Hannah took the lead which they held for several laps; with Martin and Rebecca in a comfortable second place. Nigel and Kate had worked their way back into third place. Later they were overtaken by Paul and Emma on a downwind leg. In some finish line confusion Alan and Hannah with Martin and Rebecca closely behind sailed extra distance, allowing Nigel and Kate, and Paul and Emma to catch them up. On an exciting last beat with the leading four boats on contention; Nigel and Kate seized victory from Alan and Hannah in second, Paul and Emma coming third. Martin and Rebecca finished fourth.

The third race started after a short break for tea and cake in the strongest wind of the day. The course remained the same with three possible winners with everything to play for. Martin and Rebecca led at the first windward mark, Nigel and Kate rounding second, with Alan and Hannah third, and Mike Cossey in fourth place. At the second leeward mark, Martin and Rebecca had an unfortunate problem with their flyaway pole, which cost them their lead and they slipped down into fourth place. Nigel and Kate then led for two laps with Alan and Hannah breathing down their necks. On the penultimate beat Alan and Hannah took the lead which they held till the final leeward mark. However Alan and Hannah failed to cover Nigel and Kate on the last beat. Nigel and Kate sailed out from under Alan's lee and a game of cat and mouse ensued up the final beat. Nigel and Kate won both this race and the meeting, Alan and Hannah finishing a tight couple of boat lengths behind. Paul and Emma held off Martin and Rebecca to finish third.

Martin Davies, on behalf of the visitors, thanked Tamworth Sailing Club for an excellent day's racing.

Overall Results: