Enterprise Open at Sutton Sailing Club

Enterprises at Sutton © Allan Coleman

Enterprises at Sutton © Allan Coleman

Enterprises at Sutton © Allan Coleman

This event the seventh in the 2010 Midland Area Double Chine Series sponsored by Speed Sails was held at Sutton SC on Saturday 19th June. The ten boat fleet included visitors from Tamworth, Hollowell, Midland, and Emberton Park Sailing clubs who enjoyed a warm sunny day with a moderate northerly wind.

The first race saw Martin Bottomley and Kate Brazier (Emberton Park SC) get a excellent start and lead the first mark, closely followed by youngsters James Hill and Alexander Hughes (Sutton SC) and Mike Cossey and Christine Barron (Tamworth SC). Martin and Kate continued to hold the lead for the first two laps with the other boats changing places constantly. James and Alexander then took the lead on the beat closely followed by Mike and Christine, with Martin and Kate dropping to third. Mike and Christine and James and Alexander then battled constantly for the rest of the race swopping positions several times. At the finish James and Alexander won with Mike and Christine second and Martin and Kate third.

After an excellent lunch the second race started on the same course this time Mike and Christine were first at the windward mark followed closely by Russell Brayshaw and Nicola Wilkinson (Hollowell SC), Martin and Kate and Paul Young and Nancy Gudgeon (Midland SC). Positions were exchanged on the next few laps, later it settled down with Mike and Christine leading from Paul and Nancy in second but with third place changing often. At the finish Mike and Christine won by a few boat lengths from Paul and Nancy with Russell and Nicola third and James and Alexander fourth. This left the event wide open with three boats capable of winning overall.

The third race would decide the overall places was keenly contested. The first mark was a repeat of the second race with Mike and Christine rounding first from Russell and Nicola, Martin and Kate and Paul and Nancy. Mike and Christine soon built a useful lead leaving an intense battle for second place involving four to five boats with positions hard to get but easy to lose. Paul and Nancy got in Martin and Kate`s way at a windward mark and had to do a 720 turn allowing some boats past. Later Paul and Nancy recovered to gain second place again until an unfortunate capsize by the sea cadet guard ship allowed several boats past. James and Alexander and Russell and Nicola then battled for second place with James and Alexander breaking clear. At the finish Mike and Christine won this race easily to win the event, with James and Alexander`s second giving them second overall. Russell and Nicola were third with Martin and Kate fourth a couple of boat lengths ahead of Paul and Nancy.

Winning helm Mike Cossey thanked everyone at Sutton SC a great day's racing.

Overall Results:

1st 22823, Mike Cossey & Christine Barron (Tamworth SC) 2pts
2nd 22445, James Hughes & Alexander Hughes (Sutton SC) 3pts
3rd 18736, Russell Brayshaw & Nicola Wilkinson (Hollowell SC) 6pts
4th 22901, Paul Young & Nancy Gudgeon (Midland SC) 7pts
5th 23243, Martin Bottomley & Kate Brazier (Emberton Park/ TSC) 7pts
6th 19895, Terry Hobbis & Margot Bish (Redditch SC) 11pts
7th 22487, Dennis Swain & Matthew Daniels (Sutton SC) 14pts
8th 23228, Steve Orme & Elaine Herlihy (Redditch SC) 15pts
9th 22556, Dave Batsford & Craig Carty (Sutton SC) 15pts
10th 22939, John Wilber & Rebecca Wilber (Sutton SC) 18pts