NW Enterprise Top Helm Circuit at Delph Sailing Club
by Andy Taylor 20 Jun 2006 08:44 BST
18 June 2006
17 Enterprises take part in the Top Helm event at Delph © Andy Taylor
17 Enterprises took part in the latest leg of the Top Helm series at Delph SC on 18th June.
The first race started off in light winds and drizzle. Alison Payne and Kevin Law in 22564 were first to the windward mark, but were passed by Steve Blackburn / Nick Hampson in 21350 and Jon Woodward / Alex Haliwell in 23089. These two sailed away from the rest of the fleet and had their own private race, with the lead exchanging 4 times, before Jon and Alex took the gun. Alison and Kevin had their own battle with Andy Taylor and Kathryn Hayfield in 22715 and Louis Moulden and Clare Charnock in 23007. These 3 swapped places right up until the last beat when Andy / Kathryn lost 2 places allowing Louis / Clare to take 3rd, and Alison/Kevin 4th.
After a hearty lunch the fleet set out for race 2 – at least it stopped drizzling, although a big wind shift made it difficult for Race Officer Andy Baddeley. After 3 general recalls, the fleet eventually got away. Andy and Kathryn were first to the windward mark and eventually pulled into a comfortable lead which they held to the finish. Steve and Nick were second followed by Karen Taylor and Chris Pickles in 22893 and Louis / Clare 4th. Jon and Alex soon pulled through into third and set about Steve / Nick, who they passed at the final leeward mark to take second, with Steve and Nick third, Louis and Clare 4th.
Race 3 saw the wind building to the point where some of the fleet took up swimming. After a change of course, the fleet got away first time, Andy and Kathryn were again first to the windward mark followed closely by Jon and Alex. Half way round the lap Jon and Alex took the lead, and sailed off into the distance to win the event in style. Andy and Kathryn were never challenged for second, neither were Steve and Nick for third. Karen and Chris were 4th but soon lost it when Chris broke Karen’s toestraps (again!), allowing Louis and Clare to pull through into 4th recovering from their 720 at the start.
Overall Results:
| Pos | Helm | Crew | Sail No | Club | R1 | R2 | R3 | Pts |
|---|
| 1 | Jon Woodward | Alex Halliwell | 23089 | Redditch | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| 2 | Andy Taylor | Kathryn Hayfield | 22715 | Delph | 5 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| 3 | Steve Blackburn | Nick Hampson | 21350 | Pilkington | 2 | 3 | 2 | 5 |
| 4 | Louis Moulden | Clare Charnock | 23007 | Delph | 3 | 4 | 4 | 7 |
| 5 | Alison Payne | Kevin Law | 22564 | Toddbrook | 4 | 7 | 7 | 11 |
| 6 | Tim Finch | Lewis Kneale | 23050 | Chester | 6 | 6 | 5 | 11 |
| 7 | Karen Taylor | Chris Pickles | 22893 | Delph | 7 | 5 | 6 | 11 |
| 8 | Rob Cocking | Rachael Cocking | 19540 | Delph | 8 | 10 | 10 | 18 |
| 9 | Paul Holdsworth | Lydia Cole | 22131 | Killington | 9 | 9 | 18 | 18 |
| 10 | Patrick Manning | George Liddle | 22097 | Delph | 11 | 12 | 8 | 19 |
| 11 | Colin Munro | M Ford | 22277 | Glenridding | 12 | 8 | 11 | 19 |
| 12 | Tony Cropper | Dorothy Cropper | 22531 | Delph | 18 | 13 | 9 | 22 |
| 13 | John Brokenlegs | Dave Melling | 19656 | Delph | 13 | 11 | 12 | 23 |
| 14 | Alan Barton | Ellen Gaddes | 20156 | Delph | 10 | 15 | 13 | 23 |
| 15 | Don Blackburn | Chris Platt | 21414 | Delph | 15 | 14 | 14 | 28 |
| 16 | Robin Baycroft | Hilary Baycroft | 18405 | Delph | 14 | 16 | 18 | 30 |
| 17 | George Tatler | Chris Pattinson | 22706 | Delph | 16 | 17 | 18 | 33 |