Enterprise Open at Toddbrook Sailing Club
by Kevin Law 16 Apr 2013 05:52 UTC
14 April 2013
Down the mine during the Enterprise open at Toddbrook © Ed Washington
A warm but blustery day greeted the seven visitors and the three home boats for the first joint North West/North East open meeting of the season. The scheduled 11.00 am start was soon delayed after two keen visitors (Matt Velamail/Tim Brownell and James Morley/Rachel Burkitt) launched early, and although showing us some spectacular planing manoeuvres these were also followed by equally spectacular capsizes.
An initial half-hour delay was put in place hoping that the wind would abate a little, but after a further attempt to launch the delay was extended and a midday start was put in place.
Although the wind had subsided a little, it was still blowing a good force 5-6 and only 6 boats launched for the start of race 1. There were a number of capsizes before the start of the race and the most unfortunate being Alison Payne & Kev Law who managed to capsize on the start line with 1 minute 20 seconds to go.
The remaining boats got away cleanly with the boats of Matt & Tim, Jonathon Woodward/Alex Halliwell and Royston Taggart/Lisa Woods opening up a lead and having their own race. Capsizes and retirements followed for James & Rachel and also Harrison Coppinger and Jake Murray who performed the most spectacular of pitch pole manoeuvres. Jon/Alex were flattened by a gust when rounding number 6 buoy but recovered to fight back to finish 2nd. Race 1 was won by Matt/Tim with Jon/Alex 2nd and Royston/Lisa 3rd.
After all that excitement, a lunch of chillie & baked potato or pasta bake was followed by fruit crumble and custard which was most appreciated by all. We also welcomed a special visitor Tim Finch who despite being very poorly had made a tremendous effort to attend and watch the action. I'm sure he wasn't disappointed and we were all pleased to see him.
By the start of race 2 the wind had subsided a little to force 4 to 5 and, due to the earlier delays, two shorter races took place back to back. Race 2 started with a little confusion about the start line but eventually all boats got away cleanly. Matt/Tim, James/Rachel, Jon/Alex & Royston/Lisa began to open up a lead but Jon/Alex capsized again and called it a day. There were no further retirements and the race finished Matt/Tim 1st, James/Rachel 2nd and Royston/Lisa 3rd.
Race 3 started almost immediately following race 2. Matt/Tim didn't start as they'd already won the event. Jon/Alex had also packed up giving us mere mortals the possible taste of success. After a clean get away the boats were fairly close but a gap opened up with Royston/Lisa and James/Rachel having their own little battle closely followed by Alison/Kev and John Berry & Dave Jones in John's Raffle winning Rondar epoxy Ent in only its second outing.
James/Rachel capsized near number 5 buoy handing the lead to Royston/Lisa who won the race followed by Alison/Kev 2nd and John/Dave 3rd.
Many thanks to the O.D., safety boat crews, galley staff and all the other volunteers for organising a great event in very trying circumstances.
Overall Results:
1. Matt Velamail & Tim Brownell (RYA)
2. Royston Taggart & Lisa Woods (Pilkington S.C.)
3. Alison Payne & Kev Law (Toddbrook S.C.)
4. James Morley & Rachel Burkitt (Ulley S.C.)
5. John Berry & Dave Jones (Etherow S.C.)
6. Dave Staniforth & Becky Thickett (Ulley S.C.)
7. Chris Gay & Lewis Coppinger (Toddbrook S.C.)
8. Harrison Coppinger & Jake Murray (Toddbrook S.C.)
9. Jonathon Woodward & Alex Halliwell (South Staffs S.C.)
10. Martin Fenby & Chris Hartley (Ulley S.C.)