Enterprise Midland Area Double Chine Series at Midland Sailing Club

This event was the fourth in the 2019 Enterprise Midland Area Double Chine series was held at Midland Sailing Club on Sunday 16th June. The seven boat fleet included three visiting boats from Ogston, Rugby and Daventry and South Staffs Sailing Clubs.

The conditions were testing with a gusty moderate wind from the south west which increased throughout the day, cloudy with little sunshine and a few very heavy showers.

The first race saw the start line bias change from the committee boat end to the pin end in the last thirty seconds. Jonathan Woodward crewed by Matt Smith (South Staffs / Midland) rounded the windward mark first and led throughout, always under threat from Andy Gomm crewed by daughter Victoria (Ogston SC) who finished second some ten boat lengths behind. Third was Paul Young crewed by Nancy Gudgeon (Midland SC) having passed Martin Davies crewed by Catherine Racca (Rugby and Daventry/Midland) on the run just before starting the last beat. In another close finish Oliver Mason crewed by daughter Freya (Midland SC) snatched fifth place on the finish line from Mike Homer crewed by Colin Gilbert (Midland SC).

Paul Young and Nancy Gudgeon in the Enterprise Midland Area Double Chine Series at Midland SC - photo © Lauren Upton

The second race which was sailed on the same course, started after a short postponement following an excellent lunch of cottage pie and trifle. A congested first beat saw much close quarter action especially near the first windward mark where fleet captain Paul and Nancy lost the plot and had to re-round. Jonathan and Matt lead for the first two laps until Andy and Victoria passed them on a beat by going further right. Andy and Victoria rounded the windward mark and kept the lead until a spectacular capsize on a gybe mark caused by a broken mainsheet allowed Jonathan and Matt to retake the lead which they held to the finish. Martin and Catherine finished second with Paul and Nancy third.

The third race was sailed back to back in the strongest winds of the day. A new course was set. Jonathan and Matt led from start to finish with Andy and Victoria always in hot pursuit; however despite their best efforts they could not stop Jonathan and Matt completing their hat-trick by winning their third race. Andy and Victoria finished second. The consistent Paul and Nancy finished third again in this race after an unfortunate capsize by Martin and Catherine allowed them to overtake, however this would not be enough to take third place overall.

Winning helm Jonathan Woodward thanked everyone involved at Midland Sailing Club for providing a great day's racing.

Oliver and Freya Mason in the Enterprise Midland Area Double Chine Series at Midland SC - photo © Lauren Upton

Overall Results:

Martin Davies and Catherine Raca in the Enterprise Midland Area Double Chine Series at Midland SC - photo © Lauren Upton