Enterprise Open at Aldenham Sailing Club

Enterprises at Aldenham © Martin Bayfield

The ASC Enterprise Open took place on 25th September, the final race of the Eastern Area Nimbus Series with three visiting boats and seven Aldenham boats participating. The wind varied between Southerly and Westerly, across our lake giving the Race Officer, Colin, something to ponder, burgee in hand, while everyone got rigged. Colin naturally figured it out and set two beats into the course to account for shifts and to, I quote, 'sort us out'. It certainly worked. The wind mostly held at Force 2 to 4 with some unpredictable gusts a little further up the scale as well as real lulls causing some tricky moments.

The fleet got away as planned at 11:00 for Race 1 with Lloyd Walker and crew Katie Keam-George first to the windward mark and Les Smith/Natalie Hawes not far behind. Some changing of positions ensued; including a quickly righted capsize by Martin Davies/Rebecca Bradley, by then lead boat, on lap 4. Ultimately the Aldenham combo of Les/Natalie took the race win despite a lifting rudder. Is that a new low drag tactic?

After a break for lunch, Races 2 and 3 got underway with a back to back format. Kelvin Jones/Bryan Forbes took an early lead in Race 2, hanging onto it for the first lap. One or two rule infringements were heard and seen out with competitors taking penalty turns as a result. In the end Martin/Rebecca took first place with Les/Natalie in second and Lloyd/Katie third.

Race 3 was critical in determining the leader board. Yours truly got an uncharacteristically good start at the starboard end of the line. Did that last long? Of course not! Martin/Rebecca won the race, sealing overall victory. Les/Natalie, thought they were over at the start and went back to restart, but still managed a credible third place, with Lloyd/Katie just ahead in second place.

Overall Results:

1st: Martin Davies/Rebecca Bradley
2nd: Les Smith/Natalie Hawes
3rd: Lloyd Walker/Katie Keam-George