Enterprise North West Championship at Southport Sailing Club

Enterprise North West Championship and November Plate at Southport © Tony Leeson

Enterprise North West Championship and November Plate at Southport © Tony Leeson

North West Area Championship and the November Plate, Southport SC Open Meeting. As 17 entrants arrive at Southport Sailing Club the sun was shining and the wind was light and swinging from north to southeast through out both days.

After the briefing we waited for the wind for the first race. After an hours wait we set sail for race 1. Mike Birch and Oli Hilliker (WLYC) went round the windward mark first followed by Karen Morris and Lisa Woods (Etherow) and Richard & Millie Pyke (Ripon) held third, these positions stayed the same for the remainder of the race. Steve Graham and Chris Blundell (Northampton) held forth and Pete Lawson & Gareth Balfour Held 5th.

After a short rest we set sail for race 2, after a restart Mike & Oli soon found themselves in the lead and winning the race by some margin. Alan Roberts and Anna Hampson (Pilkington) sailed well to pass plenty of boats to come in 2nd. Calum & Roy MacKenzie (Ogston) also sailed well to finish third. Steve Graham came in 4th, and Pete Lawson finished 5th

We all retired for the night after a few beers at the bar and waited to see if there was going to be any wind for tomorrow.

A few more competitors arrive for the Sunday for the November Plate Open meeting which co-insides with the North West Area Championships, a total of 22 boats.

Race 1 of the November Plate and race 3. Again Mike seemed to turn on the Power and eventually passed a few sailors to win. Alan Roberts also came from behind to come in second. Steve Graham came in 3rd, Richard Pryke in 4th and Tim Vick and Rebecca Marks (Ulley) in 5th.

Race 2 of the November Plate and Race 4 of the NW Champs. The wind had increase a little from a drift. This time Steve Graham won with Pete in 2nd third, Richard Pyke came in third, Tim Harper and Ben Hill (WLYC came in 4th and Mike Birch came in 5th.

For the last race for both events the wind had swung from the East to the South East and had picked up to a pleasant force 2ish. After a restart Steve Blackburn & Royston Taggart (WLYC / Pilkington) arrived at the windward mark first and went onto win the race. Mike Birch sailed the beats well and climbed to 2nd. Tim also passed boats and finished 3rd. Calum & Rory came in 4th and Pete Lawson finished 5th.

Congratulations to Mike Birch & Oli Hilliker for winning the North West Areas and Southport SC November Plate.

A special thank you to Southport SC for all their work.

North West Area Championship Results:

November Plate Results: