Enterprise Midland Area Double Chine Series at Barnt Green Sailing Club

Start of second race in the Enterprise Midland Area Double Chine open meeting at Barnt Green © Chris Pack

This event, the sixth in the 2019 Enterprise Midland Area Double Chine series was held at Barnt Green Sailing Club on Saturday 6th July. The five boat fleet included three visiting boats from Rugby and Daventry and also Midland Sailing Club.

The day was warm with sunshine and a rain shower at lunchtime. A light to moderate wind from the North West made for some very close racing.

In the first race Paul Young crewed by Aimee Allsopp (Midland SC) got the best start from the committee boat end tacking onto port very soon afterwards. However after tacking back onto starboard half way up the beat, the inevitable wind change meant that Martin Davies crewed by Rebecca Bradley (Rugby and Daventry SC) assumed the lead. At the first mark local knowledge seemed to help with Gordon Padmore crewed by his wife Rose (Barnt Green SC) rounding first closely followed by Mike Pickworth crewed by Edward Onions (Barnt Green SC), with Martin and Rebecca third and Paul and Aimee fourth.

These positions remained the same over the next two legs until Martin and Rebecca sailed deeper on the long run to the leeward mark to take the lead, followed by Paul and Aimee. These two boats then pulled away from the rest of the fleet; however the positions remained the same despite Paul and Aimee applying persistent pressure. Martin and Rebecca win with Paul and Aimee finishing a couple of boat lengths behind. Mike and Edward finished third.

The second race was started on the same course after an excellent lunch of baked potatoes with tasty fillings. On another port-biased line, Paul and Aimee starting in the middle and tacking onto port soon afterwards, just about lead at the starboard handed windward mark, however they were not far enough ahead to be able to tack, enabling Martin and Rebecca to round on the inside to take the lead. Martin and Rebecca now pulled ahead and started the run at least thirty yards ahead.

On the long run both Paul and Aimee and also Gordon and Rose passed Martin and Rebecca on each side. Gordon and Rose rounded the leeward mark first closely followed by Paul and Aimee, with Martin and Rebecca third. Despite the vagaries of the wind, Gordon and Rose remained in the lead on the following beat and next reach until they eventually came unstuck on the next beat where both Martin and Rebecca and Also Paul and Aimee passed them. Martin and Rebecca now led around the windward mark to start the next run just ahead of Paul and Aimee. Paul and Aimee covered Martin and Rebecca on the run assiduously but failed to gain an advantage.

On the following beat the tables were turned and it was Paul and Aimee who were covered. This game of cat and mouse continued to the finish line, thus Martin and Rebecca won again just ahead of Paul and Aimee, with Gordon and Rose third not too far behind.

The third race started, after a short break on a slightly different course to allow for a change in wind direction. Mike and Edward and also Martin and Rebecca made the best starts, however a coming together three quarters of the way up the first beat between these two boats saw Mike and Edward doing penalty turns. Martin and Rebecca led around the first windward mark and down the next reach with Paul and Aimee close behind them. On the second beat, a determined Paul and Aimee seized the lead, which they extended throughout the race to win by a good margin. Martin and Rebecca finished second with Mike and Edward third.

Overall winning helmsman Martin Davies thanked everyone involved at Barnt Green Sailing Club for a great day's racing.

Martin Davies and Rebecca Bradley win the Enterprise Midland Area Double Chine open meeting at Barnt Green - photo © Chris Pack

Overall Results: