Enterprise Midland Area Double Chine Series at Rudyard Lake Sailing Club

Alan Johnson / Steve Blackburn leading race 1 during the Rudyard Lake Enterprise Open © Sarah Crabtree

Race 2 action during the Rudyard Lake Enterprise Open © Sarah Crabtree

Race 3 starts during the Rudyard Lake Enterprise Open © Sarah Crabtree

This joint event, the ninth and final in the Midland Area Double Chine Series/North-West Top Helm Series was held at Rudyard Lake on Saturday 31st October, 2015. The conditions were overcast and mild, with a light southerly wind.

The eight boat fleet included visitors from SCYC, West Lancs YC, Etherow, Sutton and Midland SCs.

The first race saw Alan Johnson crewed by Steve Blackburn (SCYC) lead at the windward mark from Charles and Hannah Adams (WLYC), and Mike Cossey crewed by Christine Barron (Sutton SC). On the following run Alan and Steve headed for the wrong mark allowing Charles and Hannah to overtake. Two laps later, after some battling, Alan and Steve retook the lead on the beat and held this until the finish. Charles and Hannah finished a close second. A battle for third developed between Mike and Christine, Paul Young and Ella Crabtree (Midland SC), and John Berry and Steve Thomas (Etherow SC) with places being exchanged several times. On an exciting last beat Paul and Ella fought off Mike and Christine twice to finish third. Mike and Christine finished fourth with John and Steve finishing fifth.

After an excellent lunch of meatballs and pumpkin pudding the second race was sailed on a slightly different course. At the first windward mark John and Steve led from Paul and Ella in second, closely followed by Alan and Steve, with Charles and Hannah Fourth. John and Steve continued to lead down the run with Paul and Ella, Charles and Hannah, and Alan and Steve neck and neck. At the leeward mark Alan and Steve snatched the lead which they built on throughout the race to win both the race and the meeting. On the next long beat Mike and Christine went hard right to gain second place, later exchanging places with John and Steve several times. In some confusion at the finish line John and Steve took second, closely followed by Mike and Christine who were in turn followed by Charles and Hannah, and Paul and Ella.

The third race was sailed back to back with the second in lighter winds with another new course. Alan and Steve sat this race out. At the windward mark Charles and Hannah led from John and Steve and Paul and Ella, they held this position until the finish. Mike and Christine overtook Paul and Ella on the run, however Paul and Ella regained their advantage at the leeward mark. John and Steve remained in second with few challenges. Paul and Ella continued to lead Mike and Christine, until upon nearing the finish line when Mike and Christine managed to snatch third place.

Winning crew Steve Blackburn thanked everyone involved at Rudyard Lake Sailing Club for a good day's racing.

Overall Results:

Midland Area Double Chine Series Overall Results: