Enterprise Open at Melton Mowbray Sailing Club
by Paul Young 12 May 2009 08:54 BST
9 May 2009
The 2009 Midland Area Double Chine series continues at Melton Mowbray SC © Sean Graham
This event, the fifth in the 2009 Midland Area Double Chine series sponsored by Speed Sails, was held at Melton Mowbray SC on Saturday 9th May.
The ten boat fleet included Visitors from Tamworth, Emberton Park and Midland sailing clubs who enjoyed a sunny day with a moderate South Westerly wind.
In the first race Mike Cossey and Christine Barron (Tamworth SC) got the best start and led at the windward mark from Paul Young and Nancy Gudgeon (Midland SC) and third Peter Pollard and Jacob Duce (Melton Mowbray SC). Mike and Christine continued to build up a huge lead and won convincingly and the race finished in this order.
After a superb lunch put on by Sue and her galley team which would put many restaurants to shame, the second race was started on a new course. This time Paul and Nancy got the best start from the port end of the line and soon got well clear. The rest of the fleet started at the starboard end and the battle for second third and fourth places soon became quite intense, with the order changing constantly. David Simmonds and Gill Cooper (Melton Mowbray SC) was second around the windward mark ,with Martin Bottomley and Chris Duce (Emberton Park SC) third and Peter and Jacob fourth and Mike and Christine fifth.
On a following downwind leg in some of the strongest wind of the day, Mike and Christine gybed to gain an advantageous position which resulted in a spectacular capsize and retirement. At the finish it was Paul and Nancy first, Martin and Chris second, David and Gill third and Peter and Jacob fourth.
This left the meeting wide open with much to play for in the third race which was sailed on another new course. This time Paul and Nancy made another good start to lead at the first mark hotly pursued by Martin and Chris with the rest of the fleet close behind. Paul and Nancy managed to pull out a lead on the next few legs whilst the rest of the fleet battled again. At the finish Paul and Nancy were first, Martin and Chris second with Mike and Christine third.
At the prize giving a big thank you was given to Melton Mowbray Sailing Club who put on a magnificent day.
Overall Results:
1st 22901 Paul Young & Nancy Gudgeon (Midland SC) 3pts
2nd 22823 Mike Cossey & Christine Barron (Tamworth SC) 4pts
3rd 23243 Martin Bottomley & Chris Duce (Emberton Park SC/ MMSC) 4pts
4th 22372 Peter Pollard & Jacob Duce (Melton Mowbray SC) 7pts
5th 22746 David Simmonds & Gill Cooper (Melton Mowbray SC) 7pts
6th 21676 Ian Gamble & Keith Garthwaite (Melton Mowbray SC) 11pts
7th 6166 Clive Gimson & Jamie Graham (Melton Mowbray SC) 14pts
8th 20307 Niall Rennie & Duncan Rennie (Melton Mowbray SC) 16pts
9th 20320 Brian Graham & Diane Graham (Melton Mowbray SC) 17pts
10th ***** Peter Mill & Tyler Simmonds (Melton Mowbray SC) 21pts