Enterprise Open Meeting at Notts County Sailing Club

Matthew Potter and Rebecca Ogden racing in the Double Chine Series © David Eberlin

Paul Young and Megan Ward racing in the Double Chine Series © David Eberlin

Paul Young and Megan Ward lead Mike Cossey and Christine Barron in the Double Chine Series © David Eberlin

This joint Midland / North East event, the eleventh in the 2011 Enterprise Midland Area Double Chine Series sponsored by Speed sails and also Paintcraft, was held at Notts County Sailing club on Saturday 20th August. The eighteen boat fleet included ten visiting boats from Melton Mowbray, Emberton Park, Ulley, Sutton and Midland Sailing clubs, who enjoyed a sunny day with a light to moderate South Westerly wind blowing down the lake.

The first race saw youngsters Chris Winters and Julian Forde (Midland SC) lead at the first windward mark from Len Moult and Jackie Hewlett Davies (Notts County SC) and Paul Young and Megan Ward (Midland SC). The following reach saw no position changes but on a short running leg Paul and Megan overtook both of the leaders to take the lead.

On the next beat Chris and Julian had a slight collision with Len and Jackie and had to do penalty turns. Len and Jackie sailing excellently seized the lead on the long beat which they held to the finish several laps later, despite several challenges from Paul and Megan.

Behind, a three way battle for third place between, Matthew Potter and Rebecca Ogden (Notts County SC), Matt Velemain and Jonny Holt (Ulley SC) and Mike Cossey and Christine Barron (Sutton SC) saw them eventually finish in that order.

The second race started after one of Pauline`s excellent lunches on a new course and in a stronger breeze giving planning conditions. This time Len and Jackie rounded the windward mark first followed closely by Mike and Christine, Matthew and Rebecca, Martin Bottomley and Sophie Todd (Emberton Park SC) and Paul and Megan.

Mike and Christine and Matthew and Rebecca battled for second place whilst Len and Jackie held the lead until an unfortunate capsize on a gybe mark on the second lap. Paul and Megan now snatched the lead on a planning reach and continued to build up a lead winning convincingly with Mike and Christine and Matthew and Rebecca still battling for second place.

Later a capsize by Mike and Christine saw them retire allowing Matthew and Rebecca to take second place with Matt and Jonny third.

The third race was sailed back to back on another new course. This time Mike and Christine led at the first windward mark from Paul and Megan and Matthew and Rebecca. Paul and Megan passed Mike and Christine to leeward on a planning broad reach to take the lead which they built upon to win both the race and the meeting.

Mike and Christine finished second in this race despite being put under pressure from both Matthew and Rebecca who finished third and Matt and Jonny finishing fourth.

Winning helm Paul Young thanked everyone at Notts County SC for a great days racing.

Overall Results: