Enterprise Midland Area Double Chine Series at Redditch Sailing Club

Enterprises at Redditch © David Bishop

Enterprises at Redditch © David Bishop

This event, the tenth in the 2014 Midland Area Double Chine Series sponsored by Allen Brothers, was held at Redditch Sailing Club on Saturday 18th October.

The six boat fleet which included visitors from Midland SC and Sutton SC were greeted by a day of blustery winds.

The first race saw Mike Cossey crewed by Christine Barron (Sutton SC) round the windward mark first followed by Greg Croydon crewed by Gail Ranford (Redditch SC) and third Paul Young crewed by Ella Crabtree (Midland SC).

Mike and Christine continued to lead on the downwind legs until an unfortunate spectacular windward capsize put them out of contention. Greg and Gail now took the lead being often challenged by Paul and Ella. On the last beat Paul and Ella overtook Greg and Gail and built a small lead which they held to the finish. Steve Orme crewed by Grant Petford (Redditch SC) finished third.

The second race was sailed back to back on a slightly different course. This time Mike and Christine and also Margot Bish crewed by Alan Shirley (Redditch SC) got away well. Mike and Christine rounded the windward mark first just ahead of Margot and Alan, Greg and Gail in third and Paul and Ella fourth. Mike and Christine built a nice lead downwind, but Margot and Alan soon caught up overtaking Mike and Christine on the second lap. Mike and Christine then passed Magot and Alan on the following beat to retake the lead. Meanwhile Paul and Ella had overtaken Greg and Gail after several battles and then also passed Margot and Alan to challenge Mike and Christine on the last beat. Mike and Christine held their nerve to win this race, with Paul and Ella second, Greg and Gail third and Magot and Alan fourth. These results meant that the meeting was wide open with any of three boats capable of winning.

The third race started in the strongest winds of the day after an excellent baked potato lunch on another new course. After a tight start and a challenging first beat, it was Paul and Ella who took the lead around the windward mark and led downwind with Mike and Christine close in second and Greg and Gail third. Greg and Gail then took full advantage of the stronger winds in the middle of the lake to gain the inside overlap at the leeward mark to take the lead. Mike and Christine rounded second with Paul and Ella third. The lead changed hands a couple of times and after a couple of laps with a few incidents Mike and Christine retired. Greg and Gail struggled on with a broken gooseneck however Paul and Ella seized the moment and built up a lead to win both this race and the meeting. Greg and Gail continued on to finish second with Margot and Alan third.

Winning helm Paul Young thanked everyone at Redditch Sailing Club for a good day's racing. Below are the Double Chine results so far, the final race is at Rudyard Lake SC on Saturday 15th November.

Overall Results:

Paul Young & Ella Crabtree win the Enterprise open at Redditch - photo © David Bishop