Enterprise Open Meeting at Toddbrook Sailing Club
by Steve Blackburn 19 Apr 2012 01:32 PDT
15 April 2012
Round 1 of the North West Top Helm Series © Dave Morton
As 17 competitors arrived at Toddbrook, Whaley Bridge in the high peak in between Stockport and Buxton we enjoyed a sunny day with a cold northerly wind. The wind was 8mph gusting to 14mph. Dave Staniforth (Ulley) was sailing his brand new Rondar mark 3 Enterprise. Mark Lunn was sailing the brand new Speed Sails Mark 3 Rondar Enterprise. After a Bacon Butty and a catch up with all the sailors who haven’t seen each other since the end of the season, we set sail for two races back to back.
Race 1, the start line was difficult to execute because of the northerly wind direction. Everybody seemed to get away from the start line cleanly. Mark Lunn and Steve Blackburn WLYC created a gap on the first run to the bottom of the lake. The wind came from behind and Alan Johnson and Paula Fisher SCYC overtook and held first for the remainder of the race. Mark managed to hold onto second place. Sam Woods and Richard Hayton (Etherow) sailed extremely well to finish in third with his father Tony Woods with crew Charlie Berry (Etherow) in fourth place. James Morley & Gary Benton (Ulley) finished in fifth.
We soon started race 2 and all credit to the officer of the day the course was excellent with good long beats and superb runs, just what Enterprise sailors need. Tony woods had the best start and extending his lead finishing in first. Alan Johnson sailed very well after a slow start he overtook 3 or 4 boats on the to finish second. Mark Lunn didn’t have the best time on the first run but managed to pull himself up to third. Richard Critchley & Izzy Sowley (Pilkington) had his best result of the day and came in forth with a good strong second beat. Alison Payne and Kev Law Toddbrook also had their best result of the day finishing 5th with a solid performance.
It was now time for lunch, Jacket potatoes with variety of toppings from Chili, salad, and cheese and dessert was Apple crumble and custard swallowed down with a lovely cup of tea. We were certainly treated to some great food.
Race 3, the course had been changed slightly with a very starboard start line; the bias start line caused trouble for a few boats colliding into each other. Mark Lunn and Tony Woods again started well and exchanged places on the first and second run. Mark pulled away a little on the second beat and finished first. Tony came in second. Sam Woods had another great race finishing third. Fourth place went to Alan Johnson who sailed his way through fleet after a poor start. Adam Loveday & Rachel Berkitt (Rotherham) had their best result of the day finishing fifth.
The racing at Toddbrook was very close, it didn’t matter if you were 17th or 1st many of the Enterprises were exchanging places right to very end of each race. You couldn’t even split the top three with all three sailors on 3 points each. First place was achieved by final discard. The hospitality from Toddbrook was first class. We are looking forward to next Open at Winsford flash SC Sunday 22nd April, Followed by the Noble Marine Inland National Championship at Rutland 28th and 29th April.
Results:
1st Mark Lunn & Steve Blackburn, Speed Sails, WLYC 3pts
2nd Tony Woods & Charlie Berry, 23196, Etherow 3pts
3rd Alan Johnson & Paula Fisher 19876, SCYC 3pts
4th Sam Woods & Richard Hayton 23165, Etherow 6pts
5th Richard Critchley & Izzy Sowley 22814, Pilkington 10pts
6th James Morley & Gary Benton 21566, Ulley 11pts
7th Adam Loveday & Rachel Berkitt 22977, Rotherham 13pts
8th Alison Payne & Kev Law 22564, Toddbrook 13pts
9th Calum & Rory Mackenzie 22929, Ogston 14pts
10th John Berry & Erica Hayton 21983, Etherow 19pts
11th Tim & Jackie Finch 23050, Chester 20pts
12th Paul Young & Alex Homer 22901, Midland 21pts
13th Mike Maddocks & Carys Done 22117, Chester 23pts
14th Dave Staniforth & Matt Dyson 23272, Ulley 23pts
15th Richard Heemingway & Chris Morton 19755, Etherow 28pts
16th Chris Barnes & Chris Hunt 22325, Toddbrook 29pts
17th Chris Gay & Richard Thorpe 13719, Toddbrook 32pts