Enterprise Midland Area Championship at Middle Nene Sailing Club

Mark rounding action during the Enterprise Midland Area Championship at Middle Nene SC © Wilf Kunze

Close racing during the Enterprise Midland Area Championship at Middle Nene SC © Wilf Kunze

Paul Hobson and Craig Wheatley finish 2nd in the Enterprise Midland Area Championship at Middle Nene SC © Wilf Kunze

This event, the first in the Enterprise Midland Area Double Chine Series, was held at Middle Nene SC on 7th-8th April 2018. Seven boats, which included five visitors from West Lancs, Looe, Ripon, Midland and Burghfield sailing clubs, joined two local boats for this competition. The conditions were mild but overcast with a South Easterly wind force 2-3.

In the first race Ann Jackson crewed by Alan Skeens (Burghfield) rounded the windward mark first, followed by Paul Hobson crewed by Craig Wheatly (Looe SC). On the following leg Ann and Alan bore away into a hole, only to see the whole fleet overtake them. Paul and Craig then lead for a couple of laps until Steve Blackburn crewed by Lewis Coop (West Lancs) went low and overtook on the run. Steve and Lewis then held the lead to the finish with Paul and Craig finishing second and Richard and Amelia Pryke (Ripon) third.

The second race started on a new course, following an excellent lunch of pasty and beans. Simon Childs crewed by Kato Jessop (Middle Nene) rounded the windward mark first closely followed by the pack. At the next leeward mark the top three boats all arrived at the same time. Ann and Alan and Steve and Lewis squeezed ahead. Simon and Kato retook second from Ann and Alan on the following upwind leg. The top two boats then established some comfort from the pack. The last run was a little tense with Richard and Amelia finishing quickly in third place, behind Steve and Lewis who won again and Simon and Kato in second.

The third race was sailed back-to-back on the same course. Simon and Kato had another good start to lead from Ann and Alan. These two tussled for a couple of laps before being hunted down by Paul and Craig and also Richard and Amelia. Paul and Craig won this race with a comfortable lead from Richard and Amelia. Steve and Lewis worked their way through to third place after a big luffing match with Ann and Alan. Simon and Kato faded to fifth suffering from a weed problem.

Sunday dawned with light wind and drizzle. The fourth race started after a short postponement. On a port biased line Paul and Craig were over the line and had to return. Steve and Lewis then took the lead until an incident with Paul and Craig resulted in a 720 penalty. Simon and Kato reached the windward mark first, with Richard and Amelia second and Steve and Lewis in third. On the next leg there was lots of place changes. Paul and Craig got ahead at the leeward mark and built a substantial lead to win this race. Simon and Kato finished second and Steve and Lewis third.

The fifth and final race started back-to-back. With the final result wide open it was a tense one. Starting from a port biased line Richard and Amelia got the best start and chose the left hand side of the beat to lead at the windward mark, ahead of Steve and Lewis and Paul and Craig. Richard and Amelia maintained their lead whilst Steve and Lewis and Paul and Craig exchanged positions often. Richard and Amelia rounded the final leeward mark first just ahead of Paul and Craig. On the final beat to the finish line a tacking duel took place between these two boats resulting in Paul and Craig snatching the win by a short margin. However following the race a protest lodged by Steve Blackburn against Paul and Craig under rule 42 was upheld resulting in him winning the event overall.

Steve Blackburn thanked the other competitors and everyone at Middle Nene SC who gave up their weekend to run this event.

Overall Results:

Steve Blackburn and Lewis Coop win the Enterprise Midland Area Championship at Middle Nene SC - photo © Wilf Kunze