Enterprise Open at Etherow Country Park Sailing Club

Fifteen boats and 8 visitors came from all over the country to be challenged by difficult and frustrating conditions at times. Toast was served for breakfast and sherry was supplied at the briefing. The weather conditions were varied all of the day, from little wind to force 3 from any direction you can imagine.

Race 1, Steve Blackburn & Rick Hayton (WLYC/Pilks/Etherow) rounded the windward mark first only to concede a penalty by Tony Woods & Charlie Berry (Etherow) Tony took the lead. Tony steadily increase his lead. James & Henry Hunt (Beaver) soon moved into second place. After a few laps Local sailor John Berry & Erika Hayton (Etherow) sailed through the fleet an overtook James & Henry Hunt. Tony went onto win the race with John second and James third. Karen Brotherton & Lisa Woods also improved on their starting position to finish fourth.

It was now time for lunch we was provided with Salmon, potatoes and vegetables and apple pie and custard for dessert. Race two soon approached with Tony, Steve and James rounding the windward mark after the start. I’m not sure if I should call it the windward mark though, at times you could be on a beat at any part of the coarse due to the direction of the wind. Tony & James soon pulled away from Steve after a few laps Steve finished third with James taking the win, from Tony at the finishing line.

Race 3, soon approached with back to back races. Again the wind was very fickle. This time Tony gained a gap from the rest of the fleet but was soon caught by James and Steve. John soon caught up with Steve and battled to the finish with less than a boat length between. John finished fourth and Steve third. Tony and James were not far ahead and battling very hard and changing positions throughout the race. James again managed to pull ahead on the last leg and won the race and winning the Open.

At the prize giving everybody who helped to run the event were thanked for a great day and super event.

Our next and final Enterprise event is at Southport Sailing Club for the November Plate to find our winner of the North West Top Helm series. Don’t forget every race sailed in an open race, you will have the chance to win a new Rondar Enterprise with our Enterprise Association prize draw.

Overall Results: