Enterprise Top Helm Series at Elton Sailing Club
by Steve Blackburn 2 Apr 2018 22:03 BST
Enterprise Top Helm Series at Elton © ESC
The first open meeting of the Enterprise Top Helm Series held at Elton Sailing Club. The weather was cold as the wind was from the north east and with a gusty force four to six. Ten competitors took part and the event was held along with the Albacores.
Race one; the Enterprises started five minutes after the Albacores. The start line was port bias but would swing back to Starboard on some the horrendous gusts which were streaming down the lake. Dave & Joy Reed (Elton) created the best start only to be overhauled by Steve Blackburn and Ian Ritchie (WLYC & Leigh & Lowton).
The beat was the whole length of the lake then onto a run with a daring gybe onto a screaming reach, another gybe for good measure, another run, and then back on to the beat.
Steve soon secured first place with Paul young & Aimee Alsop (Midland) taking second spot. Dave came in third with Geoff McLardy & Dave Wood (Elton) in fourth. Rob Gascoigne & Kim Scott (Elton) was our first retirement.
After a hearty lunch to fuel our bellies for another windy and blustery second race.
The first beat was very tricky as the wind was all over the show. Paul rounded the windward mark first with Steve overtaking Paul on the following leg which was a at times was a planning run to take win. Paul stayed in second and Dave came in third with a couple of retirements as there were some nasty gusts trying and taking boats out as the wind funnelled its way down the race course.
Back to back for the final race. The wind had dropped off a little, as predicted to the forecast. Steve was over course side at the start and went back to give Paul and Dave an advantage up the first beat. Paul stay in the lead for a the first lap to be overhauled by Steve up the second beat to take another bullet for the day. Paul & Dave had a good old battle for the remaining laps but Paul took second yet again with another third for Dave.
We all retired to the comforts of the clubhouse for a drink a chat and the prize giving.
Overall Results:
| Pos | Sail No | Club | Helm | Crew | R1 | R2 | R3 | Pts |
|---|
| 1st | 23310 | WLYC | Steve Blackburn | Ian Ritchie | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| 2nd | 22901 | Midland | Paul Young | Aimee Allsop | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| 3rd | 21310 | Elton | Dave Read | Joy Read | 3 | 3 | 3 | 6 |
| 4th | 20400 | Elton | Geoff McLardy | Dave Wood | 4 | DNF | DNC | 10 |
| 5th | 2040 | Elton | Rob Gascoigne | Kim Scott | DNF | DNF | DNC | 12 |