Latest News from the North West Area
Welcome to the North West section of the new website. If you have any suggestions as to how we could improve the content, please let me know. E-mail
I would also be be very grateful for any articles or photographs on Enterprising activities at your club (socials, sailing or whatever). Why not organise an Enterprise event at your club, and send me the pictures and a few words to go with them? Chester's Enterprise Dinner will be held next week (4th of March) at the Grosvenor Arms in Aldford. People from other classes are very welcome to come along too. The only proviso is that they must know what colour sails we use!
2010 Topics Click here for 2009 Topics
Maintenance Measurers' Course
In the NW we have a shortage people who are authorised by the Association to measure sails and carry out routine checks on our boats. I am very pleased that in order to remedy this difficiency Bob Caton will be running a maintenance measurer's course at West Lancs YC on Sunday 4th of July. If you are interested in attending please let me know so your I can reserve a place for you. Click here to contact me by E-mail.
Regards,
Tim
Chester Enterprise dinner
The Chester Enterprise fleet held their annual dinner at the Grosvenor Arms at Aldford (up the Dee a bit from Chester). They were joined by Kevin Bilham from Ely who was in Liverpool on business. Kevin took the photo below on his 'phone of part of the gathering.
Introction to the year
How about making 2010 the year you have a go at a few opens at clubs in the North West? It’s one of the best ways to improve, and you will find the atmosphere really friendly with people very willing to offer help and advice. The events are really just an excuse for a social gathering, a chat and to partake in the excellent home made meals provided by many clubs. You will have noticed what we have to eat is an important part of the regular reports in Yachts and Yachting.
If you compete in four opens (yes, only 4) then you, and your crew, will qualify for a prize at the end of the year. Last year everyone received polo shirts embroidered with John Berry's NW logo. The ladies version was in a delicate shade of pink. This has proved so popular that some of the blokes bought one for themselves. If you want one just
E-mail me. The cost without postage is £11. Any additional embroidery will cost £2.
Polo shirt with embroidered logo
As a taster for the season ahead here are a few words on the events up to the end of August.
The season starts at Toddbrook SC on 11th April. Toddbrook is a really friendly club set in picturesque surroundings close to the centre of Whaley Bridge. The second meeting of the year will be held the following week at
Winsford (18th April). The Winsford open is very popular and regularly attracts sailors from the NE and Midland Areas.
In May there are two opens. Both are easy to reach and are in central locations at Pilkington’s (St Helens) and
Wigan. Wigan SC hosted the NW Areas in August last year. An excellent event held in great winds and with wonderful hospitality. We could not have asked for more. Sailors from Pilkington's were very well represented on the circuit last year, and this paid off in their outstanding performance in the 24 Hour Race.
June starts with the only river event on the circuit at Chester. Sailing takes place less than a mile from the city centre, and represents a wonderful shopping opportunity for those not sailing! Later in the month there are two contrasting events, sailing on the sea of Ainsdale for the West Lancs YC Open on the 13 June , and then a week later on
Rudyard Lake (20 June) famed for its fabulous clubhouse, tranquil setting and wonderful teas.
There is then a gap before the nest two events at Bassenthwaite and Elton. As a reward for hosting the Areas on several occasions, we have designated for the past few years the first weekend of Bassenthwaite Week a NW Top Helm event. The Bassenthwaite open will be held on 31st July- 1st August, and the Elton event on 14th August. Both clubs have had somewhat different watery problems to deal with over the past year. Bassenthwaite suffered to the great flood which caused the lake to overflow and Cockermouth to be devastated. Elton had the opposite problem when British waterways decided that emergency repairs had to be carried out on the dam and the lake was drained. Both clubs are now fully operational.
Leigh and Lowton New Years Day Pursuit - Three Enterprises from West Lancs (and Pilkington) finished in the top ten from a 60 boat fleet at the Leigh and Lowton Pursuit on New Years Day.
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CLASS
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Sail Number
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Helm
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Crew
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Club
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1
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OPTIMIST
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5594
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Martin Wrigley
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Barnt Green
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2
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OPTIMIST
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5911
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Haydn Griffiths
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LLSC
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3
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OPTIMIST
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5667
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Bobby Hewitt
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LLSC
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4
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RS 200
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1311
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Matt Mee
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Emma Norris
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Hollingworth Lake/LLSC
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5
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SOLO
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5069
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Steven Hunt
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Pilkington SC
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6
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ENTERPRISE
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21350
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Steve Blackburn
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Nick Hampson
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West Lancs/Pilkington
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7
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ENTERPRISE
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22344
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Mike Birch
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Tom Foster
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West Lancs
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8
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FIREBALL
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14801
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Nicki Birrell
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Christian Birrell
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LLSC
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9
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RS 200
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1296
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Chris Pickles
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Laura Westell
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Delph
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10
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ENTERPRISE
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22272
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Charles Adams
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Oli Hilliker
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West Lancs
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Christian Birrell (8th) is the current Enterprise Youth National Champion, and his new boat 23248 will on the our stand at the Dinghy Show.
2009 Topics
Bassenthwaite SC and the floods
At the time of writing (25 November) the club house has escaped flooding by the very narrowest of margins. The lake rose on Friday to the level of the decking, and everywhere else is under water-The garages to half way up the walls, and the front gate to 1' from the top. Let's hope there are no more huge downpours this week.
There are a series of photos showing the devestation on the front page of the Bassenthwaite website. taken by Sarah Nicholson
Top Helm - Awards and event summary - by Steve Blackburn
Our first Open Meeting with 18 Ents set sail at Toddbrook with a great breeze and dropping off as the day went on. Tony Woods & Charlie Berry (Etherow) hit fine form and wining the event. Steve Blackburn & Nick Hampson (WLYC/Pilkington) came in 2nd Ed Pilling & Dave Boustead (Arnside) came in a very credible 3rd. As usual the food the people organization from Toddbrook were fantastic. We also had a great Enterprise training day before, held by Mike Birch. Great photos on their website too.
Round 2 were at Winsford Flash SC, Ultra light breeze, and 16 Boats endured the fluky conditions. Again Tony Woods & Charlie Berry (Etherow) came up trumps winning his 2nd Open of the year. Richard Critchley & Helen Conolly (Pilkington) came 2nd also proving an excellent light wind specialist. Royston Taggart & Diane Roberts (Pilkington) came in 3rd. A big thank you for Winsford’s hospitality.
Round 3 Pilkington SC Open, windy blustery rainy and very testing. 9 Competitors took part. Royston Taggart & Diane Roberts (Pilkington) took their win very narrowly from Alan Roberts & Rob Lea (Pilkington) current Enterprise Under 18 National Champions at time of the Open. Mark Dingsdale & Clare Gerrard / Steve Blackburn (Pilkington) came in 3rd. Plenty of capsizing on an infamous gybe buoy for all the spectators to watch. Excellent photos on Pilkington SC website.
Round 4 Rudyard Lake SC, our highest turn out 23 Ents. This event was a joint Open with the Enterprise Double Chine Series also sponsored by Speed Sails. Dave and Beth Porter (WLYC) beat stiff competition to win. Jonathon Woodward & Alex Halliwell (Redditch/WLYC) came in 2nd with Steve Blackburn & Rob Lea (WLYC/Pilkington) came in 3rd. This event was very testing for all competitors the wind settled down as the day went on. to find more on the great and friendly club at Rudyard click here.
Round 5 WLYC Open on the sea at Ainsdale only 10 boats though, wall to wall sunshine, 2 to 3 force wind and plenty of chop and great racing was had. Steve Blackburn & Royston Taggart (WLYC/Pilkington) had two bullets and winning the event in style. Charlie Adams & Oliver Hilliker (WLYC) came in 2nd. Jonathon Woodward & Alex Halliwell (Redditch/WLYC) came in third. Our current National Champion at the time of the Open Tim & Hannah Sadler (Ripon) came in 4th, again a very high standard of sailing from all sailors.
Round 6 was at Bassenthwaite SC Start of the Regatta week, which is enjoyed by many. 22 Enterprise took part. Excellent wind force 4 – 5 on the Saturday and on Sunday the wind had dropped a little and swung a little too. Steve Blackburn & Nick Hampson (WLYC / Pilkington) won the coveted event Eddie pilling and Dave Boustead (Arnside) came in second. Local sailor Mark Ninnim and Rob Smith (Bass) came in 3rd Mike Cossey & Christine Barron (Tamworth) won one race and Finished 4th overall.
Round 7 was our Enterprise Northwest Areas at Wigan SC. 14 boats raced through the Weekend in Warm, Windy Wet and Sunny Conditions. It was the first time we had held an event at Wigan SC for a long time. The wind was a shifty 4 –5 force. Steve Blackburn crewed by Royston Taggart (WLYC / Pilkington) racked up their 3rd Win of the Series with Pete Lawson and Gareth Balfour (Killington / Bass) in 2nd Paul & George Graham sailed excellently to finish 3rd overall. The event was superbly organized, with great food and organization.
Round 8 was at Killington, again the wind was strong building up through out the event. 14 Ents at Killington SA. We were met with great hospitality and bacon butties. Alan & Matt Johnson (SCYC) won the event. Pete Lawson & Gareth Balfour (Killington) came in 2nd and Eddie Pilling and Dave Boustead (Arnside) came 3rd. The event was enjoyed by all with long beats runs and great planning reaches.
Round 9 bright sunshine and a strong, but a not impossible, blustery SW wind greeted 10 competitors who had defied the extreme weather forecast to attend Chester’s Enterprise Open Meeting. It wasn’t the basic wind strength that caused problems, but the unpredictable and violent gusts sweeping across The Meadows. Lewis Kneale &Alex Dromgoole (Chester) won their first Open Meeting and both juniors definitely a big achievement. 2nd was Wally & Lesley Riley (Chester) and Alison Payne and Kev Law came in 3rd.
Round 10, 12 boats arrived at Etherow CPSC we were welcomed with a glass of sherry, bacon butties and Etherow’s legendary friendliness. The weather was very warm and a good wind was blowing from every angle. The sun even ventured out through out the day on the smallest lake on the North West Top Helm Circuit. Tony woods & Charlie Berry (Etherow) won the event for the 3rd time. Steve & Diane Blackburn (WLYC / Pilkington) came in 2nd with Karen Morris & Lisa Woods came in 3rd (Etherow)
Round 11 as many arrived at the prestigious November plate at Marine Lake the weather was rainy and blustery wind from the north east moving to south as day went on. Competitors ate plenty of Bacon Butties for extra energy as we all prepared for the last North West Top Helm Series Sponsored by Speed Sails. http://www.southportsailingclub.org.uk/NewWebsite/Main/MainFrameset.htm
Many rigged their boats under extreme conditions. As we arrived to the start the wind was gusting a force 6. Steve Blackburn & Nick Hampson (Pilkington / WLYC) created 1st place after the start as the Jonathon Woodward and Alex Halliwell (Redditch / WLYC) came through to hold Second with Tim Finch and Mark Dingsdale (Chester / Pilkington) in third. The gusty wind was causing problems even capsizes at the start. By lap 2 Tim & Mark had overtaken Jonathon and Alex. Tim and Mark unfortunately capsized on lap three letting Jonathon and Alex through they also soon caught Steve and over took to take the lead. On the final run on full plane the wind swung and a gale blew one by one the competitors capsized. Jonathon and Steve were one of the final competitors to capsize. The wind was so severe many boats were blown on to the concrete. One by one Southport SC rescued the sailors and their boats. Only one mast was bent and a little scrape to another.
The event was unfortunately abandoned, as the weather was just too severe to be sailed.
A big thank you to Southport SC for all their help in supplying warm drinks, food and plenty off help.
Congratulations to Steve Blackburn crewed by Nick Hampson & Royston Taggart (Pilkington / WLYC for winning the Top Helm Series with 5 Pts.
2nd Tony Woods and Charlie Berry (Etherow) 9 Pts
3rd Karen Morris & Lisa Woods (Etherow) 19pts, Their first year in the Gold Fleet.
4th Charlie Adams & Oliver Hilliker (WLYC) 20pts
5th Alison Payne & Kev Law (Toddbrook) 22Pts
Enterprise Match Racing at Etherow Country Park Sailing Club
22 November 2009
By Steve Blackburn and Izzy Sowley
As we arrived at Etherow CPSC, the weather was warm, windy, dry and very shifty. Tony (Tiger) Woods was Judge and Jury for the Match Racing, giving the briefing himself. A glass of sherry was given to the competitors to lighten their mood before the racing began. Sailing in the competition were sailors from all around the North West, including Burwain, WLYC, Winsford and plenty of home boats.
We had three qualifying groups enabling half of the sailors to reach the quarter finals, with each team being a different country, as it was the World Championships. The course was to the windward mark and back, meaning that the racing became very close and competitive within all groups.
Everyone sailed 2 races before stopping for lunch, where chilli and rice was the dish of the day, with various desserts.
As the racing continued, a few unhappy sailors missed out on the chance to compete in the quarterfinals. However, Karen Morris & Lisa Woods, Tim & Jackie Finch (Egypt, where else?), Mike Birch and Charlie Berry, Ed Thomas & Diane Blackburn, Steve Blackburn & Izzy Sowley, Innes Armstrong & Andrew and Alison Payne and Kev Law all made it through.
Innes Armstrong & Andrew (Iran), Steve Blackburn & Izzy Sowley (Iceland), Ed Thomas & Diane Blackburn (Pakistan) and Mike Birch & Charlie Berry (Bolivia) all made it through to the Semi finals after another stretch of extremely close and competitive sailing.
Ed & Diane (Pakistan) & Steve & Izzy (Iceland) raced first, with both pairs sailing aggressively in order to gain the advantage or score penalties against the other. Steve managed to call starboard seconds before the start, enabling him to gain the better start. Ed managed to narrow the gap between the two boats, but Steve secured his victory, making his way to the final.
Innes & Andrew (Iran) & Mike & Charlie (Bolivia) engaged in battle before the start and tried tirelessly to outwit one another. Innes had the better start and never looked back as he scored his place in the final.
Mike (Bolivia) & Ed (Pakistan) sailed the next race for 3rd and 4th positions. Again, games were played before the start, with Ed catching a huge gust, enabling Mike to gain the advantage at the beginning. Mike finished 3rd with Ed in 4th place, as he didn’t quite manage to narrow the gap between them.
It was now time for the final, with Steve (Iceland) v Innes (Iran). Each sailor was hoping to catch the other out in order to secure the better start. Innes managed to hold the pin, forcing Steve to remain leeward. Whilst on the beat, both boats remained within a boat length of each other as the windward mark grew closer. An unpredictable header hit Steve, enabling Innes to create a gap. The gap grew on the downwind leg as Innes got the better windshifts. Back on the beat, Innes seemed victorious even before Steve was hit by an almighty gust from apparently nowhere. Steve performed an entertaining capsize, his 2nd of the day, causing Innes & Andrew (Iran) to win the Enterprise Match racing World Championships for the second time in two years, each time representing a different country.
Overall Results:
1st Innes Armstrong & Andrew (Iran) (Burwain)
2nd Steve Blackburn & Izzy Sowley (Iceland) (WLYC/Pilkington/Winsford Flash)
3rd Mike Birch & Charlie Berry (Bolivia) (WLYC)
4th Ed Thomas & Diane Blackburn (Pakistan) (WLYC/Pilkington)
A huge thanks to everyone at Etherow CPSC who helped make the event the success that it was.
After the championships we had the Top Helm Prize giving where the helms and crews of the 13 qualifying boats received polo shirts adorned with John Berry’s famous NW Enterprise logo. The girls were especially pleased as their logo were embroidered and looked particularly smart. We then adjourned to a quiet corner of the Etherow club house for the NW AGM before departing to a great pub up the road with real ale and wonderful food. What more could one ask for?
Wigan Sailing Club will be the venue for the NW Areas on the 15th and 16th of August. The club is easy to reach. It is situated just off J25 of the M6. You will be able to camp on site.
Wigan are really keen to host the event and I am sure will make every effort to make everyone welcome. We would like to thank the club for coming to our rescue following British Waterways decision to literally pull the plug on Elton Reservoir.
The location - Scotman's Flash is one of eight flashes in the Poolestock area of Wigan, which form the Wigan Flashes Conservation Area and in places, a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI), covering bird sanctuary reed beds, wild fowl, fishes, bats and local flora. Along with extensive improvements to the tow-path along the Leeds to Liverpool canal, means that the public can make use of the many interesting walks around the area, no matter what the weather is like.
Club Facilities include clubhouse, dry lounge and galley, with detached changing facilities, with showers, floating jetty for dry launching and recovery of craft, a large boat park with separate car park.
Winter Series at PilkingtonSC - 18 January 2009
After the calms and frozen lake of the past few weeks, the strong and bitterly cold wind was a tough challenge for even the hardiest of competitors. The beats were hard, the reaches exhilarating and the gybes an opportunity to get wet. Photographs Richard Critchley.
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Advice on buying a second hand boat
Clickhere to read Steve Blackburn's great article and select the title "Buying a second hand Enterprise".
Enterprise match racing 'Worlds' at Etherow Country Park
One of the smallest sailing clubs in the country, Etherow Country Park Sailing Club based near Stockport, Cheshire, hosted the 2008 Enterprise World Match Racing Championships on Saturday 22nd November. The event, in its second year, was advertised as a World Championships on the basis that there isn’t another Match racing event in the Enterprise calendar.
The World Championships event gained credibility as all entrants were designated a flag of the individual country they were assigned. This move alone attracted some support from non sailing tourists from Japan and Germany who happened to be walking around the lake as the competition started.
Picking a winner from the 21 entries was going to be difficult with a mixture of experienced match racers, youthful talent from nearby Glossop Sailing Club, and fast Enterprise sailors such as Jonathon Woodwood and Alec Halliwell.
After a briefing by the umpire Tony Woods which assisted the sailors in the format and rules of match racing the first round draw kicked off in a pleasant but cold force 2-3. The first round winners went straight in to the last 16, with all first round losers getting another chance to make the trophy stage. Woodward and Halliwell are usually one of the safest Enterprise teams in the country, but got caught by a gust on the second beat to be the first capsize of the day. Action at Etherow 
- photo Tony Woods
This gave Etherow commodore ‘Ian Renshaw’ a surprise win and a place in the last 16 draw. All the matches were close with results only decided in the last few boat lengths.
There was a marked improvement in the match racing technique as the day progressed, and the umpire was called on more frequently to give penalties. Most decisions went without controversy, but Karen Morris and Lisa Woods (who happened to be the umpires wife and sister-in-law) had to be warned about their language and future conduct!
After 32 races taking most of the day it was down to the semi final stage. Innes Armstrong and Andrew Davey representing Spain won the start against Steve and Diane Blackburn representing Germany (last year's winner) and got away on the first triangle. Steve made the most of more wind on the run shadowing Innes all the way. Innes kept his cool knowing that if he could keep his lead to the leeward mark his turn to be the aggressor would come on the beat. Innes tight covered Steve all the way not letting Steve breath until the finish.
The other semi final was Steve and Danielle Graham representing Japan, against Karen Morris and Lisa Woods from Thailand. The pre-start was the most aggressive of the day with penalties being given to both sailors before the start. Morris and Woods gained a slight advantage at the start taking the Grahams beyond the lay line for the first mark. They kept their lead all around lap 1, but failed to cover tight enough at the last leeward mark giving the Grahams one chance to engage their opponents. Steve just managed to get though Karen and Lisa after luffing up to head to wind for a good 30 seconds. Once in the lead Steve held his nerve to the finish. Lisa and Karen dusted themselves down to win the third place play off against Steve and Diane in the next race.
The final was an absolute classic race, with all the competitors and supporters on the lake wall giving their support. The pre-start was furious with both Innes and Steve circling to attempt to gain the advantage. As the gun went for the start the start looked even. The tacking duel was keenly watched by the umpire looking for any attempts to break Rule 42. The lead changed numerous times throughout the race with the lead never reaching more than a few metres. Innes and Andy just gained the lead on the last leg and crossed the line to a standing ovation and cheering from the not in-significant crowd. Who said Sailing isn’t a spectator sport.
Innes and Andy thanked Etherow Country Park Sailing Club for their superb organisation and a special thanks to those club members that had lent their boats for the event.
Overall Results:
1st Innes Armstrong and Andy Davey (Spain and BurwainS.C.)
2nd Steve and Danielle Graham (Japan and BurwainS.C.)
3rd Karen Morris and Lisa Woods (Thailand and EtherowS.C.)
4th Steve and Diane Blackburn (Germany and PilkingtonS.C.)