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.