Enterprise Midland Area Double Chine Series at Midland Sailing Club

Jonathan Woodward and Jan Kimber win the Midland SC Enterprise Open © Mike Homer

This event the fifth in the Enterprise Midland Area Double Chine series was held at Edgbaston reservoir on Sunday 17th June 2018. Conditions were cloudy but dry with a moderate South Westerly wind straight down the reservoir. Six boats contested this event with three visitors from Rugby and Daventry, South Staffs and Shustoke sailing clubs.

The first race got away at the first attempt, Martin Davies crewed by Aimee Allsopp (Rugby and Daventry / Midland SC) led around the first windward mark closely followed by Mike Cossey crewed by Evan Base (Shustoke/ Midland SC) with Jonathan Woodward crewed by Jan Kimber (South Staffs/ Midland SC) in third. Whilst Martin and Aimee led down the following run Mike and Evan and Jonathan and Jan battled. On the following beat Jonathan and Jan passed Mike and Evan to gain second place. With the first two boats were clear the big battle was for third place. Mike and Evan were now battling with Paul Young crewed by Megan Ward (Midland SC) and also Matt Smith crewed by Freya Mason (Midland SC) these three boats exchanged places endlessly for at least two laps until eventually Paul and Megan broke clear. Martin and Aimee led the race for the first one and a half laps until Jonathan and Jan passed them on a beat, however after a few further exchanges, Jonathan and Jan regained the lead which they held to the finish. Martin and Aimee finished close behind with Paul and Megan some distance behind in third.

Martin Davies and Aimee Allsopp finish 2nd in the Midland SC Enterprise Open - photo © Mike Homer

After an excellent lunch of shepherd's pie with strawberries and cream for pudding the second race got away on a slightly different course. This time Jonathan and Jan led around the first windward mark closely followed by Martin and Aimee. On the second planning reach Jonathan opened up a substantial lead which he held to the finish. Martin and Aimee remained in second place, whilst Paul and Megan managed to break free from Matt and Freya and Mike and Evan after a couple of laps to finish third.

Paul Young and Megan Ward finish 3rd in the Midland SC Enterprise Open - photo © Mike Homer

The third race was sailed back to back on new course as the wind backed to the south. It also increased in strength at times making things very exciting. A thrilling first beat saw a lead change with almost every tack, none the less Jonathan and Jan rounded the windward mark first closely followed by Martin and Aimee and Paul and Megan. Martin and Aimee immediately gybed onto port to use the left side of the course which eventually proved unsuccessful as Paul and Megan planned past near the leeward mark. Jonathan and Jan now led with Paul and Megan second and Martin and Aimee third, and Matt and Freya close behind in fourth. Paul and Megan remained in second place only to the next beat when Martin and Aimee overtook them again. Martin and Aimee later crossed ahead of Jonathan and Jan on the penultimate beat to take the lead which they held to the finish. Jonathan and Jan were second close behind with Paul and Megan further behind in third.

Winning helm Jonathan Woodward thanked everyone involved at Midland Sailing Club for a good days racing.

Overall Results:

Jonathan Woodward and Jan Kimber win the Midland SC Enterprise Open - photo © Claire Taylor

Martin Davies and Aimee Allsopp finish 2nd in the Midland SC Enterprise Open - photo © Claire Taylor

Paul Young and Megan Ward finish 3rd in the Midland SC Enterprise Open - photo © Claire Taylor