Enterprise Open at Chester Sailing & Canoeing Club
by Tim Finch 7 Jun 2011 16:17 BST
4 June 2011
After a month of high winds and low temperatures, it was a day to dispense with the dry suits and splash on the factor 40 for the only river event on the North West Enterprise calendar. The force 2, gusting 3, NE breeze enabled the OD Mike Kneale to set a long beat straight down the river for the seven visiting boats and the home fleet. In the first race four boats pulled away on the run up river. Positions amongst the leading group changed throughout the race, with Steve Blackburn and Lisa Woods (Pilkington/Etherow) winning from Richard Critchley / Diane Thomas (Pilkington) and Dave and Ashley Southwell (Leigh and Lowton). The second race started after a short break with the Steve and Lisa leading from the first mark, getting clear of the pursuing boats and building up a substantial lead which they held to the finish with this time Dave and Ashley in second place.
Refreshed by a lunch of baked potatoes and home made sweets including Bill Broughall’s famous treacle tart, the competitors set off for the third race. Although first place had been decided any one of four boats could have taken second place. Two boats Steve / Lisa and Tim and Jacky Finch (Chester) built a substantial lead, but on the third lap Tim and Jacky were caught in zero wind at the windward mark and four boats sailed serenely by. Racing was close for the prized second spot with Richard and Diane eventually taking second place from John Berry and Erika Hayton (Etherow).
A great day's sailing in a picturesque setting; how could we ask for more?
Overall Results:
| Pos | Sail No | Helm | Crew | Club | R1 | R2 | R3 | Pts |
|---|
| 1 | 21333 | Steve Blackburn | Lisa Woods | Pilkington | -1 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| 2 | 20673 | Richard Critchley | Diane Thomas | Pilkington | 2 | -3 | 2 | 5 |
| 3 | 20754 | Dave Southwell | Ashley Southwell | Leigh and Lowton | 3 | 2 | -4 | 5 |
| 4 | 22821 | Andy Todd | Chris Spreyer | Chester | -6 | 4 | 5 | 9 |
| 5 | 21983 | John Berry | Erika Hayton | Etherow | -13 | 7 | 3 | 10 |
| 6 | 23050 (15901) | Tim Finch | Jacky Finch | Chester | 4 | 6 | -8 | 10 |
| 7 | 22660 | Bill Broughall | Fay Newham | Chester | 5 | 5 | -7 | 10 |
| 8 | 20629 | Mark Neild | Will Rushworth | Shotwick | 7 | 8 | 13 | 15 |
| 9 | 19755 | Richard Hemming-way | Janet Adamson | Etherow | 8 | 10 | 9 | 17 |
| 10 | 22809 | (J) John Harvey | Sam Everington | Chester | 9 | 9 | 11 | 18 |
| 11 | 20059 | Andrew Bell | Sam Bell | Gresford | 13 | 13 | 6 | 19 |
| 12 | 23086 | Amy Speyer | Simon Nichol | Chester | 10 | 13 | 10 | 20 |