Enterprise Cock O North event at Ulley Sailing Club
by Matt Velamail 8 Jun 2013 22:06 BST
2 June 2013
Enterprise Cock O' North event at Ulley © Matt Velamail
5 home boats and 1 visitor from Ripon SC were greeted by blazing sunshine and a steady force 3 wind for Round 3 of the Enterprise Cock of the North Circuit at Ulley Sailing Club. With several crews resting up before the Inland Championships next weekend this may have explained the depleted entry from last years turnout of 15 boats. However, everyone was looking forward to a good days racing in perfect conditions.
Race 1 began after a briefing and course was set by a big time Principal Race Officer drafted in especially for the event, Mark & Harry Pinder led at the windward mark after Richard & Millie Pryke (Ripon SC) & Dave Staniforth & Becky Thickett were called over the line. After a long spell away from the ent class, former legend and ace sailor Mark returned for this event with young 8 year old Harry in front, learning the ropes from one of the best. A close fight was had for 2nd between Phil & Jane Scorah and Richard & Millie before the Ripon visitors pulled away from the main bunch into a healthy 2nd place. The race finished in this order.
After an Italian inspired lunch, and everybody refuelled race 2 began. Rich & Millie led at the windward mark closely followed by Mark & Harry and Nick Lander & Will Burkitt, on their maiden voyage in their like new MK2 Rondar, kitted out with all the latest carbon inspired gadgets. After a tussle at the front Team Pinder overtook Team Pryke with the benefit of local knowledge and expertise (and maybe a bit less weight in the front – sorry Millie). Unfortunately Nick & Will slipped back from their original rounding, falling victim to the well practised husband and wife Team Scorah.
Race 3 followed shortly after with Dave Holt & Chris Hartley getting the best start of everyone on a port flyer, just losing a place at the windward mark and then having to complete a 360. With Harry & Mark wrapping up the event already, an extra young crew member had been gained which may have slightly disrupted the dynamics in Team Pinder, it was the Prykes who lead & extended from this point on to a well deserved bullet. However the real fight here was for 3rd place, with Enterprise commodore Dave securing a safe 3rd place bar the last beat, a sneaky Team Scorah came in for the steal for their third 3rd place of the day, with Nick & Will rounding out the top 5.
Winning helm Mark gave an extremely well practised victory speech from his former days thanking the OD, Rescue team and galley and also our one visitor boat from Ripon. We hope you all make the effort to visit the Ripon open.
Top three results
1st - Mark & Harry Pinder – Ulley
2nd – Richard & Amelia Pryke – Ripon
3rd – Phil & Jane Scorah – Ulley
Follow the Enterprise Association on Twitter @entassociation