Enterprise November Plate at Southport Sailing Club
by Steve Blackburn 7 Nov 2016 22:25 PST
6 November 2016
Only a week ago we were sailing in mild weather but today's racing was going to be a chilling experience. The wind was blowing from Blackpool, which meant it was a northerly, cold arctic wind, 15-25 mph was the wind strength but with pleasant blue sky's made for an interesting sail on the Marine Lake.
6 boats entered but a few more sailors came down to the event, but opted out with the current conditions. At the briefing we were told we were in for great racing, long beats and runs. One sailor piped up and asked "if there was any weed in the lake?" "No weed" was replied for the race committee. Another sailor joked "its not the weed you need to worry about it's the eels in the water you wanna watch".
Race 1
Everyone got away cleanly at the start of the race, with Matt Velamail and Rhea Burton-Roberts (Pilkington) rounding the windward mark in 1st. Steve Blackburn and Mike Gribble (SSC/WLYC) came round 2nd with Jonathan Woodward and Karen Alexander (South Staffs) in 3rd. Unfortunately Steve and Mike went for an early dip in the eel infested water and let Jonathon through to second. Royston Taggart and Diane Thomas were also promoted to 3rd place. The positions never changed throughout the race with Matt winning the race.
Race 2
The cold wind was blowing a lot harder in this race with white horse making the their presence known. Matt had the superior start with Jonathon and Steve in 2nd and 3rd. On lap two there was an altercation on the windward buoy. Matt did two turns and Jon did one turn, now Jon took his turn in first and went on to win the race. Steve briefly took 2nd but was soon overtaken by Matt and went on to finish 2nd. Further down in the fleet Mark Nield and Will Rushforth (Chester) nearly capsized on to Royston but Roy crash tacked to avoid the collision and ended up in the water and Mark just managed to escape, both subsequently retired.
After a lunch, a hot drink and a defrost, we set sail for the final race. It was all up for grabs as Jon and Matt could both win the November Plate. Matt again controlled the Start line with Jon in 2nd and Mark in 3rd. Steve pulled through to 3rd and caught up with the leaders. Matt never really pulled away from Jon but went on to win the race with John in Second.
It was also the Last race of the North west Series. Congratulations to Paul Young and Various Crews (Midland) winners of the 2016 Top Helm Award and winners of the Silver Fleet is Charlie Morrish and Ali Mo St Marys Loch SC
Overall Results:
1st Matt Velamail & Rhea Burton Roberts (Pilkington)
2nd Jonathon Woodward & Karen Alexander (South Staffs)
3rd Steve Blackburn & Mike Gribble (SSC/WLYC)
4th Mark Nield & Will Rushforth (Chester)
5th Royston Taggart & D Thomas (Pilkington)
6th John Berry & N Bawden (Etherow & South Staffs)