2010 Enterprise North West Top Helm Series
End of year report
By Steve Blackburn
Photos © Steve Blackburn, Tim Finch and Stan Barton
Round 1 saw us at Toddbrook SC on a warm spring day with a good breeze. 17 entrants took part, which made for close and exciting racing. Tony Woods and Charlie Berry (Etherow) won the event with Paul and George Graham coming second and Steve Blackburn and Nick Hampson (Pilkington / WLYC) in third place.
Round 2 at Winsford Flash SC was again a blissfully sunny day but with hardly any wind until the last race. The new force in Enterprise sailing, Christian Birrell and Bobby Partridge (Budworth), won the event, with Alan Johnson and Hannah Sadler (SCYC) in second and Tony Woods and Charlie Berry 3rd.
The Inland Championships at Northampton SC were very early in the season and who could have predicted that Alan Johnson and Hannah Sadler (SCYC) would win the event in some style to record his first win of the season. Ges Brown and Julie Moore (Chester) were 5th, with Tony Woods and Charlie Berry 12th, Paul and George Graham 20th and Karen Morris and Lisa Woods (Etherow) 27th out of 50. Well done to all.
The Masters National Championship held at Staunton Harorld was our next big event. Alan Johnson, this time crewed by son Matt, followed up his Inlands win with a dominant performance to take the Masters trophy with three firsts. Tony and Lisa Woods came a very credible 6th with the Chester teams of Ges Brown and Phil Snewin and Chris Blundell in 7th and 15th . Charlie Adams and Oli Hilliker were 17th.
Round 4 Pilkington SC produced the worst turn out of the year but good weather and wind did not deter one visitor and five home boats. Richard Critchley and Rob Lea (Pilkington) fought very hard to win the event. Royston Taggart and Diane Blackburn now Diane Thomas who married this year. (Pilkington) came in 2nd and 3rd was Karen Morris and Lisa Woods (Etherow).
Round 5 at Wigan SC, 10 boats and the weather was sunny with a good wind touching force 5 at times. Christian and Nikki Birrell had to battle hard to win the event from Pete Lawson and Gareth Balfour in 2nd and Steve Blackburn and Royston Taggart in 3rd. This event is one the jewels of the Top Helm series.
Photo Tim Finch
Round 6 on the River Dee at Chester, was again T-shirt and shorts weather. Andy and Sam Bell (Gresford Flash) won the open meeting from juniors Lewis Kneale and George Forrester-Coles (Chester) with Mark Nield and Will Rushforth (Chester) in 3rd place.
Round 7 WLYC on the sea at Ainsdale, not as lovely as usual, but overcast and eventually the rain decended as we packed our boats away. A good wind was had with marginal planning on race 3. 10 competitors sailed a trapezoidal shape course and Christian and Nikki Birrell won narrowly from Jonathon Woodward and Alex Halliwell (Bartley) and Barry Moss and Julie Moore (Shushstoke)
Round 8, As we arrived at Rudyard Lake SC we were met with 17 Enterprises and 17 Albacore’s who had traveled from all corners of England. The Albacore’s were also enjoying an open meeting. The sun was shining and the wind was building. Tony Woods and Charlie Berry went onto to win. Jonathon Woodward and Alex Halliwell came in second with Steve Blackburn and Royston Taggart in 3rd. 31 teams entered the National12 Hour Junior Endurance Race sailing GP14’s, Enterprises and Bosuns. Many parents and representatives from various clubs watched their junior teams race around the lake anti clock wise. Despite having an unfavorable handicap 6 Enterprise teams finished in the top 10. WLYC won the event with Etherow 2nd, Southport 4th, Pilkington 5th, Leigh and Lowton 7th and Chester 8th.
Enterprise National Championships were held at East Lothian Yacht Club, all enjoyed the new format of sailing two races in the afternoon, which made the event more family friendly. Ideal in such an idyllic spot with wonderful beaches, golf courses and close to Edinbugh. Christian Birrell and Jonny McGovern finished third. Tony Woods and Charles Bower came in forth. Pete Lawson and Gareth Balfour were 9th. WLYC won the team prize for the Highest placed 3 boats from the same club with Dave and Beth Porter finishing 11th and winning the Silver Fleet.
Round 9, Bassenthwaite open meeting. As all competitors arrived at Bass and rigged their enterprises. 174 Boats were competing in the regatta. Enterprises were the largest fleet an impressive 20 boats despite the Nationals being held at the same time. Boats came from the Midlands, North East, NorthWest, Cheshire, Yorkshire, Cambridgeshire and Kent. Dave and Jackie Gebhard (Derwent) won the event, with Mark Dingsdale and Ruth Critchley (Pilkington) second and Kev and Johnny Anderson (Derwent) third.
Karen Morris and Lisa Woods (Etherow) won their first Open Meeting held at Scammondon part of the Enterprise North East circuit.
Round 10, held at Elton Sailing Club, a good turnout with 19 entrants. Tony Woods and Charlie Berry won their third open. Mark Dingsdale and Ruth Critchley finished second and Adam Savage and Charlotte Steel finished third.
Enterprise Scottish Championships Pete Lawson & Gareth Balfour (Bass) won the event in wet and wild conditions.
Enterprise Youth Championship at Barnt Green, A brilliant turnout of 24 Enterprises competed. Light to medium winds through both days. Tom Hewitt and Hannah Adams (WLYC) won the event narrowly from Calum & Rory MacKenzie (Ogston) finished second and Alan Roberts and Rob Lea (Royal Navy / Pilkington) sail their way into third. Sam Woods & Richard Hayton (Etherow) was fifth and Jack Lawson & Greg Little (Bass) came in tenth.
Next event was the 24 Hour race held at WLYC, 65 boats from GP14, Larks and Enterprises. The Enterprise had the biggest fleet with 44 boats. The Enterprise did not fair well against the GP14’s and the weather also was a big factor. Our first Enterprise was the Soul sailors Racing Association in eighth, ninth and second Ent was WLYC and third Ent and twelfth overall was Pilkington SC. everybody enjoyed the event, which had a very special vibe this yea
r.
Round 11, a mild autumn day greeted the 11 competitors at Etherow Country Park Sailing Club. Etherow is the smallest and most challenging open on the North West Top Helm series. This is always a great event due to hospitality from all the members. Again Tony woods and Charlie Berry won, Karen Morris and Lisa Woods finished second with Steve Blackburn and Nick Hampson Finishing third.
The final round of the year was the North West Area championship and November Plate at Southport. All talk was of last year when a force 11 storm blew off the event with capsized boats dispatched to all parts of the lake. This time we were greeted with sunny weather and little wind. Mike Birch and Oli Hilliker (WLYC) won both events Steve Graham and Chris Blundell came second in both events. Pete Lawson finished third in the North West Areas and Tim Harper and Ben Hill finished third in the November Plate. A great weekend was had by all.
A big thank you to all the clubs, representatives and all the people sailing the Enterprises to make this one of the best Top Helm Series for many Years. Keep up the good work and 2011 will be even better.
Results from the Top Helm:
1st Tony Woods & Charlie Berry (Etherow)
2nd Steve Blackburn & Crews Nick Hampson, Royston Taggart (WLYC / Pilks)
3rd Karen Morris & Lisa Woods (Etherow)
4th and winner of the silver fleet Paul & George Graham (Burwain)
5th Jonathon Woodward & Alex Halliwell (Bartley / WLYC)
6th Alison Payne & Kev Law (Toddbrook)
7th John Berry & various crews (Etherow)
8th Tim & Jackie Finch (Chester)
9th Paul Young & Phil Harrison (Midland)
10th Richard Hemmingway & Janet Adamson (Etherow)
11th Craig Woodhouse & Billy Berry / Francis Harrison (Etherow)
Enterprise North West End of Year Report
2008 has been a great year in the NW, with competitive racing, new faces attending both training and open events, and success in National Championships. Despite the miserable weather, attendances on the Speed Sails (www.speedsails.co.uk) sponsored Top Helm circuit are averaging out at 17 boats.
The season started with an excellent training day at Toddbrook, run with loads of enthusiasm by Mike Birch. If we thought it was cold for the training, we were in for a shock when a blizzard descended during the final race of the open meeting on the following day. Charlie and Hannah Adams (WLYC) recorded the first of their two open wins of the season.
The blizzard descends in the final race at Toddbrook - Photograph Edward Washington
Tony and Sam Woods (Etherow) won round 2 at Winsford despite a strong challenge from Steve Blackburn and Nick Hampson (WLYC/Pilkington). Thanks must be given to Winsford and to fleet captain Phil Duggan for a great day and for allowing the Enterprise Association to organize a junior training day at Winsford the following week. The event was run with two aims in mind, (i) to get our young sailors used to sailing crewed boats, and (ii) to prepare them for the Junior 12 Hour Race. An additional hope was that the event would encourage some to take part in the Enterprise Youth Nationals at Barnt Green later in the year. The weather was awful, with a strong, cold easterly blowing. But all had such a great time, they were still going full bore when it came time to pack up. Mike Birch was again the truly wonderful coach. You can see what the participants thought of the day by reading Brianna Biggins report on page 41 of the Spring Diary.
At the Masters National championship our very own Tiger Tony and Sam Woods followed their win at Winsford by winning Masters Championship with an unassailable two firsts and a third.
Light weather specialists Royston Taggart and Diane Blackburn battled hard with Steve Blackburn and Nick Hampson at Pilkington’s. Steve and Nick eventually triumphed to win their first ever Open. In round 4 at the beautiful and idyllic setting of Rudyard lake Royston Taggart and Diane Blackburn gained their revenge winning from Steve and Nick in very light winds.
Beautiful sun and great sea sailing were experienced at Ainsdale for the West Lancashire YC meeting. Rich Adams and Mart Weatherspoon (Midland) won the event in style, even showing off on the start of the last race with a port tack flyer. Cheeky chaps.
For the first time for many years the Inland National Championship was held in our area. On the first day Bassenthwaite Lake came up trumps with strong winds, lots of sunshine and high temperatures. The wind disappeared on the Sunday but the Bassenthwaite team worked tirelessly to set fair courses. Nick Craig and Toby Lewis won the event, with Tony and Sam Woods 7th, Phil Snewin 12th and Charles and Hannah Adams 14th.
There was a disappointing turn out of only 14 boats for the NorthWest Area Championship at Morcambe / Arnside. Tony and Sam Woods took their 2nd win of the season from local sailors Eddie Pilling and David Boustead.
The result of the NW open on the first weekend of Bassenthwaite Week was in the balance until the last race. Pistol Pete and Jack Lawson fired a fine win to take the meeting. Most stayed for the remainder of the weeks sailing and their numbers were swelled by boats coming for the later races. Enterprises are the largest fleet at Bassenthwaite week and the racing is both great fun and highly competitive. Race winners during the week were Steve Blackburn, Royston Taggart, Tim and Jacky Finch, and NE sailors Alan Baker and Gill Kincaid, and David and Jackie Gebhard.
The National Championships were windy, choppy and wet. Jonathon Woodward and Alex Halliwell (Redditch and WLYC) came in a superb 5th with Mike and Verity Birch in 6th, Alan and Matt Johnson 7th and Tony and Sam Woods 8th.
At the Youth Championships Matt Johnson and Rachel Jackson SCYC/Burghfield were crowned Enterprise National Youth Champions for 2008. In 3rd place, and under 18 National Champions, were Alan Roberts and Rob Lea (Pilkington). Tom Hewitt and Megan Adams came in 4th, with Lily Whitehead crewed by Alex Dromgoule (Chester) taking the ladies championship. 70% of the competitors came from the NW. Well done to all.
The largest ever entry of 28 boats assembled for the Junior 12 hour Race. The strong winds resulted in some of the lightweight teams resorting to cut down mains. Merchant Taylors’ School were the first Enterprise and third overall with West Lancashire (1), Southport and Wigan in places 5-7.
NW clubs were well represented in the 24 Hour Race. Pride of place must go to Etherow CPSC, who must sail on the smallest navigable (?) lake in the country. They came fourth, and took the prize for the first Enterprise. Pilkington SC had their best ever result, 6th, and third Enterprise. Whilst Chester S&CC managed to hold a very strong Hamble River SC team (sailing a GP) to take the Masters Trophy and 8th place overall. Other good results were achieved by Toddbrook 23rd, Hoylake 26th and Killington 27th.
Charles and Hannah Adams beat newly crowned National Champion Tim and Hannah Sadler in light and fluky airs on top of the Pennines at Killington. The next event at Elton provided contrasting conditions for the training day (very windy) and for the open (hot and sunny with variable winds). Pete Lawson ran the training event with help from Olympic coach Paul Brotherton. All came away with boats tuned, and lots of tips following the review of their on the water escapades. A great day. Paul Brotherton and S Jobson won the Elton Open with two firsts in the last two races.
We still have three events remaining, and are still unsure who will win the Top Helm Award. It certainly seems busier with more and more Enterprises joining the Open Circuit. Come and join us. For many the in between race chats and helpful advice are almost more important than the racing. Judging by the regular reports in Y&Y the home made delicacies provided by the host clubs comes high on the priority list too. Check out www.enterprisenw.co.uk for more information, photographs, reports and forum.