Enterprise Open at Barnt Green Sailing Club

Barnt Green Enterprise open prize winners (l to r) Matt Velamail holding the Sam Cooke trophy, Tim Brownell, Mark Lunn & Steve Blackburn © Rob Farquharson

This event the fourth in the 2013 Enterprise Midland Area Double Chine Series sponsored by Speed Sails was held at Barnt Green Sailing Club on Sunday 19th May.

The fourteen boat fleet, which included seven visitors from Midland SC, Redditch SC, South Caernarvonshire YC, South Staffs SC, Sutton SC, Ulley SC and West Lancashire YC, were greeted by a hot sunny day with a light and variable breeze from the North West.

The first race saw the fleet start from a port biased line, Matt Velamail crewed by Tim Brownell (Ulley SC) were first to the windward mark followed by Jonathan Woodward crewed by Karen Alexander (South Staffs SC) with Ges Brown crewed by Julie Moore (S.C.Y.C) and Mike Cossey crewed by Christine Barron close behind. Mark Lunn crewed by Steve Blackburn (West Lancs YC) soon caught up to take the lead which they held to the finish. Behind the leaders places changed regularly however at the finish Jonathan and Karen were second, Matt and Tim third and Ges and Julie fourth.

After an excellent lunch the second race started on a new course in a little more wind. Jonathan and Karen were premature starters and had to return. Ges and Julie rounded the windward mark first with Mark and Steve second and Matt and Tim third. Positions changed greatly over the next few legs with Ges and Julie losing out. Mark and Steve took the lead once again, however Jonathan and Karen put pressure on them for a while until they broke clear. Mark and Steve recorded their second win with Jonathan and Karen coming second again, Matt and Tim were third with Ges and Julie fourth.

Race three for the Sam Cooke Trophy saw Matt and Tim get a port end flyer and round a chaotic windward mark first, followed by Mike and Christine with Jonathan and Karen third. These places were held for a lap. Mike and Christine made best use of a favourable windshift on the next beat to take the lead briefly; however Matt and Tim and also Jonathan and Karen soon got past them and extended their lead. Paul Young crewed by Phil Harrison (Midland SC) then caught up Mike and Christine and battled for third place with the position changing several times.

At the finish Matt and Tim took the win, with a consistent Jonathan and Karen second and Mike and Christine third. Paul and Phil were fourth just ahead of Rob and Ruth Lennox (Barnt Green SC) fifth.

Winning helm Mark Lunn thanked everyone at Barnt Green SC for a good day's racing.

Overall Results: