Enterprise Open at Redditch Sailing Club
by Dave Jackson and Paul Young 14 Mar 2011 14:08 GMT
12 March 2011
This event, the first in the 2011 Enterprise Midland Area Double Chine series, sponsored by Speed Sails was held at Redditch SC on Saturday 12th March.
The seven boat fleet included visitors from both Tamworth and Midland Sailing clubs who enjoyed the dry warm day and reasonably steady, light to moderate Southerly wind giving a good days racing.
Race one got underway with Paul Young/ Megan Ward (Midland SC) being pushed over the line prematurely leaving Dave Jackson/Hilary Farmiloe (Redditch SC) to sail clear with Mike Cossey/ Christine Barron (Tamworth SC) in hot pursuit. Although there were some close battles, with Mike and Christine pushing Dave and Hilary hard on a couple of occasions, the race finished with Dave and Hilary stretching out a good lead from Mike and Christine with Paul and Megan third and Terry Hobbis /Margot Bish (Redditch SC) in a solid fourth place.
Race two was run back to back, and Dave and Hilary again got away well at the start, followed by Mike and Christine and Paul and Megan. Dave and Hilary again stretched their lead, but Mike and Christine were temporally overtaken by Paul and Megan, only to regain second place to the finish, with Terry and Margot again fourth.
Dave complaining of a poor wrist and having secured first place overall sat out the last race, leaving the others to battle it out for the remaining spots. Although the start line was next to the clubhouse most boats left it until late to get to the line including Mike and Christine who barely launched when the starting gun went. Terry and Margot had the best start and got away ahead of Paul and Megan with Mike and Christine quickly moving into third place. If the positions had remained like this, Terry and Margot would have secured overall second place, but it was not long before first of all Paul and Megan and then Mike and Christine managed to overhaul them. It was then a matter of whoever took the gun between Paul and Megan or Mike and Christine would take overall second place. With the wind dropping away, Paul and Megan were maintaining their ten length lead, slowly though Mike and Christine started reeling them in and were on their transom as they rounded the last leeward mark. With two quick tacks, Mike and Christine were through just holding their lead to the finish, to claim the runners up spot.
Overall Results:
1st 22701, Dave Jackson & Hilary Farmiloe (Redditch SC) 2pts
2nd 22823, Mike Cossey & Christine Barron (Tamworth SC) 3pts
3rd 22901, Paul Young & Megan Ward (Midland SC) 5pts
4th 20023, Terry Hobbis & Margot Bish (Redditch SC) 7pts
5th 19895, James Dawes & Sue Dawes (Redditch SC) 9pts
6th 23228, Steve Orme & Rob Eaves (Redditch SC) 10pts
7th 20266, Iain Leiper & Matt Smith (Midland SC) 14pts