Enterprise November Plate at Southport Sailing Club
by Steve Blackburn 26 Nov 2018 21:41 PST
4 November 2018
The weather was overcast, but mild for the time of the year. The wind was coming from a south south east direction and was around a force 3 – 4 but would decrease as the day went on. Only four boats had arrived to race at the Enterprise November Plate but good racing was assure with a good course to be sailed.
Race 1: Alan Burton-Roberts and sister Diane Thomas (Gresford) created the best start and went round the windward mark first, Alan was closely followed by John Hayes and Joel James (Southport) and Andrew Ashworth & Jo Henderson (WLYC). Alan Eventually manage to pull clear of the small chasing pack on the second lap to create a good clear lead. Steve Blackburn & Molly Nixon (WLYC) was in 4th place but they put on a late charge to overtake 3rd and 2nd places. Steve was catching Alan and by the fourth and finally lap and on the last beat he overtook Alan for the lead. Steve was only a boat length clear of Alan but took the win. After we came a shore Jon submitted a protest, about a mark which was not in the course but Alan and Steve had gone round the wrong side of it. We were told that we have to follow the string and the string was starboard of the buoy and we had passed it to port. The protest was
upheld and Jon Won the first race.
Unfortunately we had to bring our pack lunch as the Galley was only serving tea and coffee. So Cheese and Pickle sandwiches is what I had not sure what everyone else had, probably crisp butties.
Race 2. Alan had retired for the day and decided to go shopping, but three boats were left in race. We all started well. John went up the beat on the right hand side and Andrew went up the Left and Steve went up the middle of the first. We all met up at the windward mark and Steve carried a little more speed passed the boats at windward mark and took 1st place, Steve then created a superior lead. Andrew and John were having a good battle in 2nd and 3rd. Eventually John overtook Andrew to claim 2nd. As the shorten course hooter sounded Steve was in 1st. John was in more pressure as he rounded the final buoy but he could only catch Steve as he took the honors of the second race.
Unfortunately for the third race John retired and there were only 2 boats left. The wind was withering away until there was not a breath. So the final race was abandoned.
We all packed our boats away and headed for the bar for a nice pint and a chat...
Overall Results:
1st E22461 John Hayes & Joel James (Southport SC)
2nd E22948 Andrew Ashworth & Jo Henderson (WLYC)
3rd E23310 Steve Blackburn & Molly Nixon (WLYC)
4th E20673 Alan Burton-Roberts & Diane Thomas (Gresford)
We also had our prize giving for the Enterprise North West Top Helm Series 2018:
1st Steve Blackburn & Roy, Molly & Ian (WLYC)
2nd Paul Young & Aimee Alsop (Midlands)
3rd Alan & Rhea Burton-Roberts (Gresford) and winner of the Silver Award for 1st silver fleet Enterprise