Enterprise Midland Double Chine Series at Olton Mere Sailing Club

This event, the ninth in the 2013 Midland Area Double Chine Series sponsored by Speed Sails was held at Olton Mere SC on Saturday 28th September.

A bright and dry day with a fluky Easterly breeze from behind the railway line made conditions challenging for the six boat fleet with visitors from as far as Ulley SC and Bristol Corinthian YC, Emberton Park SC, Sutton SC, Earlwood Lake SC and Midland SC. Race one saw Matt Velamail crewed by Tim Brownell (Ulley SC) get a good start to lead this race from start to finish. Ian Ingram crewed by Marie Bond (Earlswood Lake SC) and Mike Cossey crewed by Christine Barron (Sutton SC) battled for second place on the first lap before Mike and Christine got away leaving Ian and Marie third. Matt and Tim took the win a good distance.

The second race sailed back to back with the first, saw Paul Young crewed by Nancy Gudgeon (Midland SC) start on port tack with the rest of the fleet on starboard. Matt and Tim once again led at the first windward mark from Paul and Nancy second and Ian and Marie third. On the short beat near the clubhouse Paul and Nancy briefly took the lead near mark two but were unable to tack allowing Matt and Tim to regain the lead. Ian and Marie then passed Paul and Nancy to move up to second place however Paul and Nancy overtook them a lap later at a windward mark to regain second place. This order remained the same to the finish with Paul and Nancy closing in on Matt and Tim as the finish line approached. With the winners now decided it was all set up for an exciting third race with three boats tied on six points each.

Race three started on a new course after lunch. Matt and Tim sat this one out. Mike and Christine rounded the windward mark first; Ian and Marie were second with Paul and Nancy third close behind. These three boats exchanged places for a while until Paul and Nancy Seized the lead at a windward mark. They held this for two legs until Mike and Christine snatched the lead back at near mark two. Ian and Marie also passed Paul and Nancy soon after this to take second place. These positions were then held to the finish. Winning helm Matt Velamail thanked everyone at Olton Mere SC for a good days racing.

Overall Results: