Enterprise Open at Chester Sailing & Canoeing Club
by Tim Finch 8 Jun 2010 07:56 BST
5 June 2010
Enterprises at Chester © Tim Finch
It was a day for T-shirts and shorts for the only river event on the North West Enterprise circuit. The OD, Mike Kneale, delayed the first race to give time for the fitful SW breeze to settle. Mark Neild and Will Rushforth got away well and were first round the windward mark. However, on the second beat they were caught and overtaken by Chester juniors Lewis Kneale and George Forrester-Coles. Lewis and George held on to win from Mark and the fast finishing Alison Payne and Kevin Law (Toddbrook SC).
Refreshed by a lunch of hotpot and home made fruit pies and crumbles, the competitors set off for the second race. Mark and Will quickly built up what seemed an unassailable lead, only to be caught two marks from home when the rest of the fleet arrived at the end of the run down river with wind. Andy and Sam Bell from Gresford SC and David Jobling and Sam Evington (North Staffs SC) sailed round the marooned boats at the mark to take first and second places respectively.
To the delight of all a good force 3 NW breeze appeared for the start of the third race. Andy and Sam Bell quickly built up a commanding lead which they held to the finish with Lewis and George second and Amy Spreyer and Susi Osborne third. Andy and Sam Bell won the meeting by one point from Lewis and George. Andy and Sam are the first sailors from Gresford Flash to win the Greenall Whiley Trophy since Ken Higson was carving up the NW circuit in the late 1960s.
Overall Results:
| Pos | Sail No | Helm | Crew | Club | R1 | R2 | R3 | Pts |
|---|
| 1st | 20059 | Andy Bell | Sam Bell | Gresford Flash | -5 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| 2nd | 22400 | Lewis Kneale | George Forrester-Coles | Chester | 1 | -3 | 2 | 3 |
| 3rd | 20629 | Mark Neild | Will Rushforth | Chester | 2 | 4 | -5 | 6 |
| 4th | 23086 | Amy Spreyer | Susi Osborne | Chester | 4 | -5 | 3 | 7 |
| 5th | 21318 | Alison Payne | Kevin Law | Toddbrook | 3 | -6 | 4 | 7 |