Enterprise Double Chine series at Midland Sailing Club

Charles and Alison Morrish (overall third) in the Enterprise Double Chine series at Midland SC © Sarah Crabtree

Start of race 3 in the Enterprise Double Chine series at Midland SC © Sarah Crabtree

Mike Cosset and Diana Cross (overall winners) in the Enterprise Double Chine series at Midland SC © Sarah Crabtree

This event, the fifth in the Enterprise Midland Area Double Chine Series was held at Midland Sailing Club on Sunday 14th June.

A light North westerly breeze greeted the fleet of ten boats which included visitors from as far as St Mary's Loch in Scotland as well more local boats from Arden SC, Emberton Park SC, Small Heath YC and Sutton SC.

The first race saw Charles and Alison Morrish (St Mary Loch SC) round the windward mark first followed closely by Mike Cossey crewed by Diana Cross (Sutton SC/ Midland SC). Keith and Jane Mc Donald (Small Heath YC) were third with Paul Young crewed by Megan Ward (Midland SC) fourth. Charles and Alison led for the first two laps whilst Paul and Megan, Keith and Jane, Mike and Diana, and also Nial Campbell crewed by Miranda Chance (Arden SC) battled behind exchanging places often.

Eventually Paul and Megan broke away to secure second place to start closing on Charles and Alison. Paul and Megan caught Charles and Alison near the leeward mark to take the lead on the third lap. Paul and Megan continued to lead for another two laps until the final leeward mark where Charles and Alison regained the lead. On the final beat to the finish line Charles and Alison held their nerve to win by four seconds from Paul and Megan. Mike and Diana finished third and Nial and Miranda fourth.

The second race started after an excellent cottage pie lunch on a new course. This time Martin Bottomley crewed by Jonathan Woodward (Emberton Park SC /South Staffs SC) led at the first windward mark, with Keith and Jane second. At the next mark there were some major changes in positions, Keith and Jane now took the lead until Mike and Diana passed them near the end of the first lap.

Keith and Jane and Mike and Diana later exchanged the lead a few times. Nial and Miranda remained third until Paul and Megan passed them on the third lap. Mike and Diana extended their lead to win this race, from Keith and Jane. Paul and Megan finished third with Charles and Alison passing Nial and Miranda to finish fourth.

With four boats still capable of winning this meeting, the outcome of the third race would decide everything. This race sailed back to back with the second race on another new course. This time Nial and Miranda rounded the windward mark first ahead of Martin and Jonathan.

Nial and Miranda were soon overtaken and Martin and Jonathan fell into a hole allowing Mike and Diana to take the lead. Keith and Jane were in second. Mike and Diana now extended their lead to win easily whilst the fleet battled behind. On an exciting final beat Keith and Jane held out to finish second by inches from a rapidly closing Paul and Megan. Martin and Jonathan were fourth.

Winning helm Mike Cossey thanked everyone at Midland Sailing Club for a great day of very close and exciting racing.

Overall Results: