Enterprise North West Championship at Wigan Sailing Club
by Steve Blackburn 17 Aug 2009 14:59 BST
15-16 August 2009
A total of 14 boats raced through the weekend in warm, windy, wet and sunny conditions. Wigan SC gratefully held the event after we lost our venue at Elton, due to repairs to the dam. As all the competitors arrived it was raining and soon as we set sail the rain switch to sunny conditions.
Race 1, Charlie & Megan Adams (WLYC) had a superior start and rounded the windward mark first, followed by Steve Blackburn & Royston Taggart (Pilkington / WLYC). In third were Mike & Dawn Birch (WLYC). Steve passed Charlie and was able to create a comfortable lead to finish first. Charlie finished second and Mike held third. Pete Lawson & Gareth Balfour (Bass / Killington) came in 4th after fighting through the pack.
In race 2 again Steve soon found the lead with Pete in second. Alison Payne & Kev Law (Toddbrook) held third in the Pink Enterbox. The positions stayed the same for the remainder of the race. The racing was very close and intense with a mistake creating loss of positions or capsizing as gusts streamed through the flash.
We all retired for the evening and were hoping for another exciting day's racing. Sunday soon arrived. The wind was still bursting which was enjoyed by most.
Race 3, and again Charlie had the superior start, but was soon caught by Steve & Pete. Steve & Pete battled tooth and hammer for first. Pete was quicker on the long reach, which we all enjoyed across the Scotchman’s Flash. Steve was quicker upwind so it was very challenging to watch. Steve held his nerve to finish first, Pete consolidated second. Paul Young & Phil Harrison (Midland) holding third.
Lunch, which consisted of hotpot, chicken curry, chowder and home made cakes too was surely enjoyed by all.
By race 4 the wind had dropped which must have comforted some. The start line was very port biased. Steve held the far pin and executed a perfect port flyer to secure his final win. Pete soon came through the fleet with Paul & George Graham (Burwain) taking third sailing superbly.
Race 5 was held back-to-back and soon started. Pete just made it to the windward mark by a head from Tim & Jackie Finch (Chester). Paul Young came through the fleet to finish second, Mark & David Nield (Chester) popped up in 3rd ahead of Tim Finch.
A special thank you to Wigan SC for holding our Enterprise North West Championship - a great event superbly organized with wonderful hospitality and fantastic winds.
Overall Results:
| Pos | Sail No | Helm | Crew | Club | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | R5 | Total | Pts |
|---|
| 1st | 21350 | Steve Blackburn | Royston Taggart | Pilkington/WLYC | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | (DNS) | 19 | 4 |
| 2nd | 22405 | Peter Lawson | Gareth Balfour | Bass/Killington | -4 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 11 | 7 |
| 3rd | 21483 | Paul Graham | George Graham | Burwain SC | 5 | 4 | 5 | 3 | -13 | 30 | 17 |
| 4th | 22272 | Charles Adams | Megan Adams | WLYC | 2 | (DNF) | 4 | 7 | 7 | 35 | 20 |
| 5th | 23050 | Tim Finch | Jacky Finch | Chester S & CC | -7 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 4 | 29 | 22 |
| 6th | 21318 | Alison Payne | Kevin Law | Toddbrook SC | -8 | 3 | 8 | 4 | 8 | 31 | 23 |
| 7th | 22344 | Mike Birch | Dawn Birch | WLYC | 3 | (DNF) | 7 | 9 | 5 | 39 | 24 |
| 8th | 22901 | Paul Young | Phil Harrison | Midland SC | (DNS) | DNS | 3 | 5 | 2 | 40 | 25 |
| 9th | 22971 | James Morgan | Sean Bates | Wigan SC | 6 | (DNF) | 11 | 8 | 6 | 46 | 31 |
| 10th | 15901 | Mark Nield | David Nield | Chester S & CC | 10 | 7 | (DNF) | 13 | 3 | 48 | 33 |
| 11th | 22945 | Andy Hatley | Liam Reece | Wigan SC | 9 | 5 | (DNF) | 12 | 9 | 50 | 35 |
| 12th | 23165 | Karen Morris | Lisa Woods | Etherow SC | (DNF) | 8 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 52 | 37 |
| 13th | 21983 | John Berry | Matt Hindley | Etherow SC | -11 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 11 | 52 | 41 |
| 14th | 17371 | Steve Morgan | Chris Moss | Wigan SC | 12 | 10 | 12 | -14 | 12 | 60 | 46 |