Enterprise Open at Winsford Flash Sailing Club

Alan and Matt Johnson win the Enterprise open at Winsford Flash © Paul Plested

Six visitors joined the seven Winsford boats for the 2nd open in the 2004 Speed Sails sponsored Northwest Top Helm event on 18th April.

The first race started in a shifting force one straight down the lake. Four competitors were a little eager at the gun and only two returned to start correctly. At the windward mark Steve Blackburn crewed by Royston Taggart led form Bill Gover and Kerry Plested. By the end of the second lap Alan and Matt Johnson, having originally hove-to thinking a general recall had been sounded, managed to climb through the fleet and took up the lead until the finish. However, the Johnson’s, and Blackburn and Taggart were the two who didn’t exonerate themselves at the start, which gave first place to Gover and Plested with second position going to Peter Gorst and Alice Johnson.

In the second race with an increasing wind the Johnson’s, starting from the pin end, and Blackburn and Taggart from the committee boat took up the early running. Eventually the Johnson’s pulled ahead and led to the finish. Phil Wilson and James Gillespie showed early form in third place, but were eventually overhauled first by Tim and Jacky Finch and then by John Berry and Mark Russell.

The best wind of the day, a force 2-3, was reserved for the last race in which the Johnson’s got another good start. They tacked on to port, crossed the fleet and went on to win the race by a considerable margin, thus securing the event. Wally and Lesley Riley took up second place early on, but were eventually passed by Blackburn and Taggart, and then by Gover and Plested, who on count-back, finished second on the day.

Overall Results: