Enterprise Double Chine series at Midland Sailing Club

Enterprise Double Chine series at Midland SC © Timothy Harms

Stephen Graham and Charlotte Farmer in the Enterprise Double Chine series at Midland SC © Timothy Harms

Jonathan Woodward and Jenny Chen Andronis win the Enterprise Double Chine series meeting at Midland SC © Timothy Harms

The fourth event in the Midland Area Enterprise Double Chine Series was held at Midland sailing Club on Sunday 19th June. The eleven boat fleet included eight visitors from as far away as Earlswood SC, Etherow SC, Northampton SC, Rugby and Daventry SC, Southport SC, South Staffs SC and Wembley SC.

The conditions were ideal with a South-Westerly breeze which increased throughout the day. The first race saw Jonathan Woodward crewed by Jenny Chen-Andronis (South Staffs/Midland) lead around the first windward mark; followed by Martin Davies crewed by Rebecca Bradley (Rugby and Daventry SC) with Alan Johnson crewed by Paula Fisher (Southport SC) in hot pursuit, and David Beany crewed by Julie Cronshaw (Wembley SC).

Jonathan and Jenny increased their lead slightly. Alan and Paula got an inside overlap on Martin and Rebecca at the leeward mark to gain second place. Jonathan and Jenny followed by Alan and Paula pulled away from the rest of the fleet on the next two downwind legs.

After two laps, Martin and Rebecca and David and Julie were involved in a port and starboard meeting which allowed David and Julie to move up to third, and Steve Graham crewed by Charlotte Farmer (Northampton SC) moved up to fourth. These positions were held to the finish. Paul Young crewed by Emma Coleman (Midland SC) closed up on Martin and Rebecca near the penultimate mark, in an exciting finish Paul and Emma just snatched fifth place from Martin and Rebecca.

After an excellent lunch of Shepherd's Pie or Macaroni Cheese, accompanied by a selection of desserts, the boats set off for the next two races.

Race two was sailed on the same course. Jonathan and Jenny were once again first to the windward mark, followed by Steve and Charlotte then David and Julie. On the downwind leg Jonathan and Jenny stretched out to have a comfortable lead over the others. For the majority of the race Steve and Charlotte battled it out with David and Julie for second place, with Alan and Paula in a secure fourth place.

A tense final beat saw Jonathan and Jenny's lead diminishing as they coped with fluky wind. Steve and Charlotte led David and Julie over towards the Tower Ballroom in a tacking battle, which gave Jonathan and Jenny enough breathing space to hang onto their lead to the finish. David and Julie finished second by managing to keep Steve and Charlotte trapped against the wall, who finished third only eight seconds behind them.

Race three, sailed back to back with race two, and was started on a new course in the strongest wind of the day. At the start both Jonathan and Jenny and Steve and Charlotte were over the line and had to return. On the first beat Steve and Charlotte took full advantage of a wind shift on the left hand side and reached the windward mark first, closely followed by David and Julie and then Martin and Rebecca. These three boats battled it out exchanging places for the first lap.

On the second lap Steve and Charlotte took the lead, only to sail but the wrong way around one of the windward marks, whilst they unwound themselves David and Julie took the lead. Later Martin and Rebecca dropped back upwind allowing Jonathan and Jenny and Alan and Paula through.

On the last lap there was a close battle on the downwind leg between David and Julie, and Steve and Charlotte, who threw in a quick gybe which nearly caused them to capsize. By the final beat of the competition Alan and Paula and Jonathan and Jenny were catching up with the leaders. They took the right hand side of the course hoping to claim victory. David and Julie covered Steve and Charlotte on the left hand side. In a close finish David and Julie just beat Steve and Charlotte by a few inches. Alan and Paula finished third.

Winning helm Jonathan Woodward thanked everyone involved at Midland Sailing Club for, "an excellent day's sailing".

Enterprise Double Chine series at Midland SC - photo © Timothy Harms

Overall Results:

Enterprise Double Chine series at Midland SC - photo © Timothy Harms