Enterprise Open at Newbiggin by the Sea Sailing Club

Newbiggin Sailing club held their Enterprise ‘Cock of the North’ Open Meeting sponsored by Speed Sails for the series and Club sponsorship from Culture 10, over the weekend 25th / 26th June 2005. Sponsorship from Culture 10 allowed the club to host a free weekends sailing, the club contributing with free food for competitors.

Conditions were interesting with bright sunshine on both days and temperatures in the lower 20’s with wind ranging from a force 2-3 on Saturday to a 4-5 on Sunday afternoon.

Nine boats competed in the event from as far afield as Hallamshire and Tynemouth. All starts were keenly contested with all boats up on the line for a good start.

Racing on Saturday started after a General Recall due to a wind shift in the start area. A good triangular course set with the windward leg out side of the bay and the Gybe mark inside the bay with a light wind of about a 2-3 from the North East.

On the first beat Chris and Ali Fry were first to reach the windward mark, closely pursued by the second and third boats (Peter and Matthew Middlemiss and Ian Ainsworth/Mike O’Sullivan). Although the leading boat extended its lead considerably the remaining fleet split into several small groups having interesting tussles and exchanging places frequently. The winners of the first race were Chris and Ali Fry who maintained the lead from the start.

After a good breakfast on Sunday morning in the galley of sausage bacon eggs and black pudding we went out to sail the second race in a completely different set of conditions from the previous day. The wind was from the South force 2 - 3 with a rising chop. Chris and Ali led the fleet to the first windward mark closely pursued by David Storey /Julian Coleman and Ian Ainsworth/Mike O’Sullivan however there was no catching the Fry’s who established an unassailable lead and going on to win. There was good racing within the fleet.

After an excellent lunch conditions had become more interesting with the wind increasing to a hearty force 4+ with good waves and white tops which promised an interesting third and final race and it was. First to the windward mark again was Chris and Ali hotly pursued by David and Julian also Peter and Matthew. At the first Gybe Peter and Matthew went for a swim and retired Chris and Ali maintained there lead on the second beat followed by Dave and Julian then Ian and Mike. Half way up the beat Ian and Mike had a bad tack and took to the water and retired allowing Arnold Mac Donald and Graham Birch to move into third place followed by Michael Wilde and Sarah Birch. Racing on the down wind legs was very exhilarating especially when surfing down the waves.

It was good to see some of our cadet members sailing over the weekend namely Sarah and Graham Birch, Amy Fayers, Paul Bolton, Bruce Carnaby and Johnathan Lambert.

A good sail was had by all, thanks to all competitors, sponsors and those who helped on the day to make this a splendid weekend.

Overall Results: (3 races, 1 discard)