Enterprise Open at Chester Sailing & Canoeing Club
by Steve Blackburn 18 Jun 2013 07:32 BST
16 June 2013
Chester Sailing and Canoeing Club Enterprise Open © Paula Finch
As we arrived at the only river event on North West Top Helm Circuit, The sun had got his hat on and was going to be a beautiful and warm day in the heart of Chester. The wind on the River Dee did not seem as good as the blue sky. A northeast direction which is never the best. The wind was a very fluky force 0-2. This did not put off visiting competitors from Birmingham, Derbyshire, Manchester, St Helens and Southport, 13 in total.
Race 1 soon approached and chaos was the best way to describe start with Ents on different tacks on the start line as the gun approached. Alan (Aj) Roberts and Rhea Burton (Pilkington) create the best start as the headed to the windward mark. Steve Blackburn & Diane Thomas (WLYC) were not far behind. Alan went on to extend his lead. Every time I looked he had his own private gale. As other competitors seemed to have none. Karen Brotherton & Lisa Woods was holding third but did not finished as they missed a mark of the course. Paul Young and Phil Harrison (Midland) capitalized on Karen mistake and finished third. Bill Broughall and Faye Newham (Chester) came in forth and Mitch Kneale and Alex Dromgoole (Chester) came in fifth.
Race 2 was back to back so a quick rest for water as the sun was nearly at its strongest and beating down to everybody's delight. The waterway was very busy with Ferries, coxless rowers, and pleasure crafts cruising past as we try to hold the line for the start. Steve Blackburn managed to round the windward mark first and with Alan in second. The girls, Karen and Lisa were in third. Steve lost the lead on the last run as the wind filled in from Behind and Alan took full advantage to take the race and the event. Steve finished in second and the girls in third. Phil and Amy Wilson (Ogston) took forth and fifth went to Alison Payne and Kev Law (Toddbrook).
The lunch was quiche with salad and a splash of mayonnaise. The deserts were extra special, as most of the members had made all different types of homemade cakes for everyone to enjoy!
Race 3 soon got started. Bill managed to create the best start with the girls in second and Steve in third. Eventually Steve overtook both and took the lead. Steve extended his lead and finished the race in first. The girls also overtook Bill to claim second place and Bill was demoted to third. Sam Evington and Wally Riley (Chester) came in forth and Phil Wilson came in fifth.
At the prize giving Alan gave a speech to thank the OD, everybody who helped in the day and announced a fitting tribute to Tim Finch who died early this year from a short illness.
Tim Finch was a member of Chester SC and previously Pilkington SC. Tim, a true Gentleman will be greatly missed and our thoughts are with his family. Tim was Vice Commodore of the Enterprise Association and took a special interest in youth sailing. Three junior helms took part in the event with Sam Evington winning first junior helm. It seemed very fitting that Alan won the event as he has been a previous winner of the Enterprise Youth Championship in 2011.
Overall Results:
1st Alan (AJ) Roberts & Rhea Burton (Pilkington)
2nd Steve Blackburn & Diane Roberts (WLYC)
3rd Karen Brotherton & Lisa Woods (Etherow)
4th Bill Broughall & Faye Newham (Chester)
5th Phil & Amy Wilson (Ogston)
1st Junior, Sam Evington & Wally Riley (Chester)
2nd Junior, Mitch Kneale & Alex Dromgoole (Chester)
3rd Junior, John Harvey & Will Rushforth (Chester)