Enterprise Open at Southport Sailing Club

16 competitors took part in the final Enterprise event of the year at the November Plate. Sponsored by Tim Harper Boats It was fairly misty all of the day with a light breeze. This meant it was going to be a difficult day.

Race 1 was held in the lightest wind of the day with Charlie Adams and Alex Halliwell (WLYC) created the best start, rounded the windward mark first and went onto to win the race without being challenged. Alan Johnson and Paula Fisher (Southport SC / SCYC) didn't seem to have the best start but went onto finish 2nd. John Berry and Steve Blackburn (Etherow / WLYC) finished 3rd with a few overtakes with John's good boat speed. In 4th was the pairing of Lee Thomas and Royston Taggart (Southport / Pilkington) sailing is newly Purchased FRP Enterprise for the first time. Mike Healy and his Daughter sailed their newly purchased FRP Enterprise as well.

We had a short break and the wind had increased a little but still woeful and shifty as it flowed out of the streets onto the lake from an easterly direction. This time I think nearly everyone made a hash of the start. Although Lee & Royston went on to round the windward mark first the pulled out a nice lead through out the race and went on to win the 2nd race without being challenged. The junior paring of Ben & Gabe Hill (WLYC) also had a sterling race finishing 2nd overall show off the oldest boat sailing in the event. A Mason – Bacon Enterprise which is over 40 years old and known as Ragamuffin. In 3rd was Alan in his 30 odd year old sub-sonic winkle Lufkin finishing in 3rd. 4th was Charlie in is 20 odd year old Don Marine and 5th was Clive & Jordan Porter in their Black one side and White on the other side painted hull made by Tony Prior. 6th was John in his Epoxy mark III Rondar sporting a go fast red stripe. As you can see as long as you have a well-tuned Ent you will be able to keep up or even beat the best on the Circuit, be warned Sadler and Saulty!

After two difficult races we headed into the club for lunch and dessert. Always great food at Southport. Race 3 soon approached with several parings being able to win the prestigious November Plate. Whose name was going to be on it this year? Alan Johnson sailed a blinder on the Start and round in 1st. Charlie wasn't far behind and John overtaking two or three boats to hold 3rd on the first lap nothing really changed on the first and second lap. Charlie decided to change things on the 3rd and final lap and saw a great wind shift on the second to last beat and overtook Alan to take the win and the Open. Alan fished in 2nd and 2nd overall with John in 3rd but 4th overall due to Lee finishing 1st in the second race and pulled him up to 3rd overall. In 4th was Clive with his local knowledge and 5th was Ben and Gabe.

At the Prizegiving Charlie & Alex was congratulated with the Open win and winning the NorthWest Area Top Helm Travelers series. Alan finished 2nd overall in the traveler's series and John came in third with Paul Young (Midland) winning the Silver Award. Speeches and drinks were had to finish off the Enterprise fleet sailing for this year.

Overall Results: