Enterprise Open Meeting at Rudyard Lake Sailing Club

The last open meeting of the year at the beautiful Rudyard Lake in the grips of Autumn was a sight to see. Was the sailing going to be as good? We were treated to the wind coming straight down the reservoir with a force 1–2 with 9 boats taking part (5 visitors and 4 home boats). The sun was popping out from the thin clouds to make it a very pleasant and mild day.

In race 1 Sam Woods and Laura Richardson (Glossop / Southport) created the best start and rounded the windward mark first, with local sailors Toby Sanderson & Emma Smith (RLSC) rounding in second, with Mark Lunn & Steve Blackburn in third. As the race progressed Mark overtook Toby and held second place. Sam never looked back and held onto his lead with a fairly good distance from mark to ensure the win.

Race 2 was held back to back, and this time Mark created the best start and held onto his position throughout the race. Sam came in second with Paul Young & Jan Kimber (Midland) overtaking John Berry and Neil Bawden (Etherow) who held third for a short period. The wind was lightest for this race. A few of the Enterprises were showing their light wind pace by overtaking some of Albacores who were also enjoying an open meeting.

Lunch was a Chinese dish; chicken in black bean sauce served with rice, and fruit meringue for desert. This filled our appetites and prepared us for the last race.

Race 3: This was quite an important race with Sam having won the first race and Mark the second. The victor of this race would win the Enterprise Northwest Area Top Helm Series for 2014 and the Open Meeting. So no pressure!

Mark again created the superior start but Sam with his great boatspeed was never a boat length behind. At the windward buoy, Mark arrived first but Sam managed to create a gap and overtook Mark on the run.

Sam managed to extend his lead, with at times different pressure of wind flowing across the lake. Mark manage to catch and overtake Sam due to a wind shift before the next windward leg. Sam was never far behind but time was running out. As the hooter was sounded for shorten course, shortly afterwards Mark & Steve headed for the finish and won the race. Sam & Laura came in second with Phil Harrison & Emma Coleman (Midland) taking 3rd.

It was a great days sail, as we had no retirements through out all the races. Job done well Rudyard Lake Sailing Club.

Results:

1st Mark Lunn & Steve Blackburn - L&LSC
2nd Sam Woods & Laura Richardson - Glossop / Southport
3rd Paul Young & Jan kimber - Midland
4th John Berry & Neil Bawden – Etherow
5th Phil Harrison & Emma Coleman – Midland
6th David & Margaret Burnham – Rudyard
7th Toby Sanderson & Emma Smith - Rudyard
8th Patricia Ordsmith Lucas Barrow - Rudyard
9th Ian Rawlinson & Bruce Carter - Rudyard