Reports from Events in the NW during 2008
On this page you will find reports and photographs of open meetings and coaching days held in the NW during 2008. Click on the club name to go to the event you want to read or just scroll through the page.
Enterprise November Plate at Southport Sailing Club - 2 November 2008 Steve Blackburn
Perfect winds force 3-4 from the NW for the Southport November Plate. Close racing at the windward mark in the third race - Photo © SSC
This was the final Top Helm event of the year sponsored by Speed Sails. 10 boats arrived at the Marine Lake, only 1 home boat took part and 9 visitors. It was a cold morning with a north eastly breeze, 2-4 wind. We were all welcomed to bacon buttys and happy faces.
Race 1 was a long beat with two reaches and a long run. Ed Pilling & Dave Boustead (Arnside) were recalled at the start. Steve Blackburn & Nick Hampson (WLYC / Pilkington) rounded the windward mark and lengthened there lead for the rest of the Race. Royston Taggart & Diane Roberts (Pilkington) finished 2nd and Ed managed to make his way up to the fleet to finished 3rd. I’m sure all sailors were enjoying marginal Aqua planning.
After a hearty lunch of Steak Pie & Chips we set sail again, the same course was kept. Again Steve again rounded the windward mark first, Royston in 2nd and Ed in 3rd. Everybody kept on exchanging positions Royston took the lead up the final beat but tacked late for the finishing buoy and let Ed through at leeward end Ed finishing 1st Royston 2nd and Steve in 3rd.
Any of the top 3 could win the event and the pressure was on. Steve again had the superior start with Royston following. Royston and Ed Managed to overtake Steve. It was getting quite confusing who was leading the race with all the sailors messing them selves about Tim & Jackie Finch took the lead on the last lap Royston was in 2nd and Steve in 3rd. Royston lost out as the wind strengthened. Steve took second the finishing line had soon approached Steve was given the Win all though Tim and Jackie seemed to be ahead after some controversy. Dave also took third with Royston coming in 4th,
It was definitely the best wind we have had at an open for some time. Thanks to Southport SC for a great day.
Overall Results:
| Pos |
Sail No |
Helm |
Crew |
R1 |
R2 |
R3 |
Pts |
| 1 |
21350 |
S Blackburn |
N Hampson |
1 |
3 |
1 |
2 |
| 2 |
23158 |
E Pilling |
D Boustead |
3 |
1 |
3 |
4 |
| 3 |
22814 |
R Taggart |
D Roberts |
2 |
2 |
4 |
4 |
| 4 |
23050 |
T Finch |
J Finch |
4 |
5 |
2 |
6 |
| 5 |
22526 |
C Porter |
J Porter |
5 |
4 |
5 |
9 |
| 6 |
22901 |
P Young |
A Myers |
6 |
6 |
6 |
12 |
| 7 |
22163 |
K Morris |
L Woods |
7 |
7 |
RTD |
14 |
| 8 |
2240 |
P Graham |
K Dunston |
8 |
8 |
7 |
15 |
| 9 |
2 |
D Marsden |
D Marsden |
12 |
10 |
8 |
18 |
| 10 |
21115 |
H Hurst |
A Gray |
9 |
9 |
DNS |
18 |
| 11 |
17027 |
J Huntley |
K Huntley |
RTD |
DNS |
DNS |
DNQ |
Chester S&CC Open on River Dee 11 Oct
Luckily the rain stopped for our encounter at the River Dee at Chester part of the North West Top Helm Series Sponsored by Speed Sails17 sailors arrived with 9 home boats and 8 visitors. Unfortunately it was light wind and there was a large flow from lots of rain from the previous weekend.
Race 1. Got underway after tea and biscuits, it was hard to start as the flow of the river was against us up the first beat. Many people were hitting buoys or boats as they struggled with the current. Great down wind though, Gez Brown & Martin Honnor (Hallamshire) soon took the lead and finished the race in 1st. Phil Snewin & Ros Coleman (Chester) came in 2nd. Charles & Hannah Adams (WLYC) came in 3rd.
We stopped for lunch, which was homemade. The tomato soup was fantastic. Race 2 started under similar conditions. At times a breeze came but soon went. Tony Woods & Charlie (Etherow) had a fantastic start and led the race from start to the finish. Ges pushed his way up to 2nd and held his position to the end. Charlie finished third. And Karen Morris & Lisa Woods (Etherow) held a respectable 4th
We waited a while for the breeze to pick up. Soon we went out for race 3. We started and the wind just vanished so the OD took the wise decision to abandon the race, which left Ges Brown, & Martin Honnor to Win the Open.
A Big thanks to everybody at Chester for a great day in frustrating conditions.
Results:
Rank Class SailNo Helm Crew Club R1 R2 Total
1 Enterprise 23194 Ges Brown Martin Honnor Hallamshire 1 2 3
2 Enterprise 23165 Tony Woods Charlie Etherow 4 1 5
3 Enterprise 22272 Charles Adams Hannah Adams WLYC 3 3 6
4 Enterprise 22536 Phil Snewin Ros Coleman CS&CC 2 6 8
5 Enterprise 22163 Karen Woods Lisa Woods Etherow 5 4 9
6 Enterprise 21350 Steve Blackburn Nick Hampson Pilkington 8 5 13
7 Enterprise 19876 Matt Johnson Megan Adams SCYC 6 8 14
8 Enterprise 23137 Wally Riley Lesley Riley CS&CC 7 7 14
9 Enterprise 15901 Tim Finch Jackie Finch CS&CC 9 9 18
10 Enterprise 22660 Bill Broughhall Fay Newman CS&CC 10 10 20
11 Enterprise 22117 Mike Maddocks Carys Done CS&CC 13 12 25
12 Enterprise 21409 Phil Duggan Linda Shaw Winsford DNF 11 29
13 Enterprise 22400 Lewis Kneale Tom Piggott CS&CC 11 DNF 29
14 Enterprise 19755 Richard Hemmingway Janet Adamson Etherow 12 DNF 30
15 Enterprise 18993 Mark Neild Suzi CS&CC DNF DNF 36
15 Enterprise 22821 Steve Spreyer Chris Spreyer CS&CC DNF DNF 36
15 Enterprise 22809 Amy Spreyer John Purdie CS&CC DNF DNF 36 |
Elton SC Enterprise Training and Open Meeting - 4-5th October
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Elton SC Enterprise Open Meeting and Training Day
Training was held on the 4th October 2008. Pete Lawson was coach for the day in testing conditions, wet, windy with gust of force 6. Everybody learnt a great deal. Pete was also helped from Paul Brotherton. Probably some of the best coaches in the country.
5th October 2008, Glorious Sunshine greeted us at Elton sponsored by Speed Sails; the wind wasn’t too bad, it was anything from a force 1 to 3. 21 boats open their account with 6 home boats and 15 from as far as Redditch SC.
Race 1, a clean start was had by all. Jonathon Woodward (Redditch / WLYC) rounded the windward mark 1st with Charles & Hannah Adams WLYC in 2nd Steve Blackburn and Nick Hampson Rounded in 3rd. Jonathon sailed an excellent race to win with Charles in 2nd Steve had to battle for 3rd with Paul Brotherton and S Jobson (Etherow) exchanging places throughout the race.
After lunch, which was spicy and hot, we sailed for race 2. Paul proved to have a superior start and was able to clear all the competitors to win with a fairly big margin. Through the race Matt Johnson and Megan Adams (SCYC) sailed a fantastic beat and managed to pull into 2nd. Unfortunately Matt sailed round the windward mark the wrong way also taking Charles with him. Jon and Steve took full advantage and held 2nd 3rd till the finish. Charles managed to pull back into 3rd.
Race 3, soon got underway Steve had a perfect start he was soon overtaken By Paul Brotherton and Paul & George Graham. Paul Continued from race 2 and won the race and the event comfortably. Charles made his way through the pack and finished 2nd. Jonathon also worked his way through to finish 3rd. Steve came in 4th with Dave & Beth Porter (WLYC) behind in 5th.
An Excellent day was had by all competitors. Elton really pulled out all the stops to make sure the event was well organized and excellent racing was had.
Results:
Rank Sail No Helm Crew Club R1 R2 R3 Total Nett
1 44 P Brotherton S Jobson Etherow 4 1 1 6 2
2 23089 J Woodward A Halliwell Redditch / WLYC 1 2 3 6 3
3 22272 C Adams H Adams WLYC 2 4 2 8 4
4 21350 S Blackburn Nick Hampson WLYC / Pilkington 3 3 4 10 6
5 22102 D Porter B Porter WLYC 6 5 5 16 10
6 19876 M Johnson M Adams SCYC 5 7 9 21 12
7 2303 P Lawson G Balfour Bass 8 10 6 24 14
8 22163 P Graham G Graham Burwain 10 13 7 30 17
9 22163 K Morris L Wood Etherow 9 9 8 26 17
10 22564 A Payne K Law Toddbrook 7 11 13 31 18
11 22451 A Savage A Johnson Elton 13 6 DNS 41 19
12 23050 T Finch R Lea Chester / Pilkington 11 8 12 31 19
13 20400 G McClardy S Worthington Elton 12 15 10 37 22
14 21983 John Berry Fiona Rattigan Etherow 14 12 11 37 23
15 22277 C Munroe M Munroe Glenridding 15 14 14 43 28
16 22150 D Gascoigne K Gascoigne Pilkington 16 22 15 53 31
17 19755 R Hemmingway J Smith Etherow 19 16 16 51 32
18 20353 S Beswick Z Dawkins Elton 18 17 17 52 34
19 17900 M Clarke K Young Elton 17 18 18 53 35
20 21310 R Gascoigne L Mollineaux Elton 20 19 19 58 38
21 15098 D Holmes P Salmon Elton DNS DNC DNC 66 44
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Killington SA Enterprise Open Meeting
Killington SA Enterprise Open Meeting
Beautiful Weather greeted us at Killington SA high up in Cumbria. 15 boats turned up to a force 1 – 2 wind from the southwest.
A clean start by all for race one. Current Youth Champion Matt Johnson & Megan Adams SYSC, went left up the beat, Pete & Jack Lawson (Killington) went right up the beat. Matt Round 1st with Tim & Hannah Sadler, current National Champion in 2nd. Pete rounded 3rd. Plenty of places exchange through out the race with Tim finishing in 1st. Pete Lawson came in 2nd with Charles and Hannah Adams WLYC in 3rd. Matt unfortunately lost places and finished 4th.
After a great lunch and a quick rest, surely enjoying the sunny weather. We set sail for the 2nd race. Again all competitors cleanly started. The beat was very tricky with plenty of lifts and headers. Tim rounded The Windward mark with Charles and Dave in 2nd 3rd. The downwind legs were just as much fun. Some people gained and others lost out. Charles moved into 1st and held his position till the end. Tim Finished 2nd and Pete came in 3rd.
Back to Back for race 3. It was all on the wire 3 competitors could win the event, Tim, Charles and Pete. Charlie started well and rounded the windward mark first with Steve Blackburn & Nick Hampson WLYC/Pilkington in 2nd. Charles went on to extend his lead and win the event. Pete sailed well, recalled at the start and finished 2nd. Ed Pilling & Dave Boustead (Arnside) came in 3rd and Dave & Beth Porter sailing quick up the last beat to finish 4th.
North West Sailors at the Nationals and Bass Week
 North West Sailors at the Nationals
Again our sailors did us proud; the conditions were very difficult with many upsets at the event. Again Mike and Verity Birch topped the list, finishing 6th Overall. Alan & Matt Johnson were 7th and Tony & Sam Woods in 8th.
Ian Southworth All though lives in the South Is still regarded as a northwest sailor finished 13th not lucky enough.
In 17th place was Phil Snewin & Chris Blundell, Pete & Jack Lawson was just behind in 18th.
Charlie & Hannah Adams had a disappointing time and finished 28th. Paul Holdsworth and Lydia Cole improved from previous events to finish 43rd.
Our favorite Lady sailors Karen Morris and Lisa Woods finished 50th with many races not been sailed.
I’m sure all our sailors enjoyed the event. I’m sure more would have come if Bass Week hadn’t clashed again.
Bass Week
As you probably know Pete & Jack Lawson won the First weekend at Bass.
Steve & Nick Hampson won the Monday Race, it was round the lake
On Tuesday Tim & Jackie Finch Finished 1st Ent and 3rd in the Nairn Pursuit Race in an 80 boat fleet.
On Wednesday Steve Blackburn came in 3rd. Unfortunately could hold of the NorthEast sailors.
Thursday there was no sailing due to the lack of wind and constant rain.
Friday saw a second Pursuit Race. Which Steve Blackburn and crew Royston Taggart came in 3rd overall and 2nd Ent.
Also On the Friday, Royston Taggart & Helen Connelly came in 1st.
Final Weekend Was against Dave & Jackie Gebhard and Steve Blackburn and Rob Lee (We have nicknamed Toby Lewis Lee). Steve came in 2nd with Dave and Jackie in 1st.
A Great Regatta week was had as always. |
WLYC Enterprise Open Meeting
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North West Top Helm Series Sponsor Speed Sails- WLYC Enterprise Open Meeting
8th June 2008, Saw our first sea event at Ainsdale. The sun was shining the wind felt nice force 2, building through out the day to a steady force 3. Everybody arrived down on the beach. The Open meeting was a joint with the Lasers.
Race 1 soon approached with nearly every competitor over the line. The Dreaded black flag was brought out. Our OD was having no messing. Only one boat was over. You know the boat it black with the Black Burgee. The rest of the fleet made it to the Windward mark with Rich Adams & Mart Weatherspoon (Midland) rounding 1st. Rich held his advantage to the end and won comftable. Barry and Julie Moss (Shustoke) were 2nd and Jonathon Woodward and Alex Halliwell (Redditch/WLYC) was 3rd.
All the races were back to back so after a quick rest we set for race 2. The wind had swung a little still south west but just moving the odd degree or 2. Again Rich was off into the distance. His seamanship skills were excellent as Mart won again. Steve Graham & Ali Morrish (Northampton) were 2nd and Alison Payne & Kev Law had a well-deserved 3rd.
The sun and the sea were stunning it was like sailing on the Costa. The tide was at its strongest for the last race. Rich was getting cocky and tried a port flyer but soon had to tack. Again he won. Second were Dave & Beth Porter (WLYC) with the extra breeze being used as an advantage held 2nd. Barry held 3rd with losing out to Dave on the last beat.
A Big thanks to everybody who made this event possible to the OD, rescue and the people on the shore, waiting for the tallies. This event is a must for next year. Sea sailing at its best.
Results:
Rank Class Sail No Helm Crew Club R1 R2 R3 Nett 1st Enterprise 23087 Rich Adams Mart Weatherspoon Midland 1 1 1 2
2nd Enterprise 23008 Barry Moss Julie Moss Shustoke 2 5 3 5
3rd Enterprise 22102 Dave Porter Beth Porter WLYC 4 6 2 6
4th Enterprise 23223 Steve Graham Ali Morrish Northampton 5 2 5 7
5th Enterprise 23087 Jonathon Woodward Alex Halliwell Redditch / WLYC 3 4 6 7
By Steve Blackburn
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Rudyard Lake SC Enterprise Open Meeting 2008
 Rudyard Lake SC Enterprise Open Meeting
Joint Midland Double Chine Series / North West Top Helm Series
Sponsored By Speed Sails
1st June 2008, As everybody arrived at Rudyard the rain began to poor and the wind disappeared into small puffs and very isolated. NE wind if that’s what you could call it.
Race 1 got underway. Tony & Sam Woods (Etherow) Rounded the windward mark first, Royston Taggart and Diane Roberts (Pilkington) in Second. As the race progressed every mark rounding brought you back on a beat. Gez Brown and Blundell (Hallamshire) overtook Steve Blackburn & Nick Hampson (WLYC / Pilkington. All the position stayed the same for the remainder of the race.
Rudyard Lake is one of the most beautiful lakes in the country as we set down for a buffet dinner, which was magnificent. Wait until we got to the dessert. Race 2, soon came and the rain stopped. Again no wind, Royston with his brilliant start was first competitor to eventually make it to the windward mark, 2nd was Tony, he soon gave in to the conditions and retired. Steve moved up to 2nd with Pete & Jack Lawson (Killington) in third.
The final race was held back to back. Suddenly the wind came, not much a force 1. It felt good though. Pete Rounded the windward mark with Royston in 2nd, 3rd was John Berry and Fiona Rattigan in 3rd. Steve punched his was up the fleet to press Pete for the 2nd lap. Its was decided on the final beat. Pete managed to keep his nerve to come in 1st with Steve very close behind.
By Steve Blackburn
Results
1st Royston Taggart & Diane Roberts (Pilkington) 3pts
2nd Steve Blackburn & Nick Hampson (WLYC / Pilkington 4pts
3rd Pete & Jack Lawson (Killington) 5pts
4th John Berry & Fiona Rattigan (Etherow)
5th Karen Morris & Lisa Woods (Etherow) |
Pilkington SC Enterprise Open Meeting by Richard Critchley
 Very light and fluky conditions for Pilkington Open
Saturday morning at Eccleston Mere saw a light eastly breeze across the water. This direction is notorious amongst the locals for being fickle and tricky to sail in - and if it does blow up, it becomes extremely nasty with 90 degree wind shifts causing many an experienced sailor to swim. The wind though remained light for most of the day and in all, only one sailor ended up in the drink - Ray Lewis, a home sailor who was a beginner only a few years ago so he was forgiven.
The Pilkington Open meeting is often hottly contested, especially amongst the home sailors. In particular, the last 4 years have seen battles between Ste Blackburn and Royston Taggart, the later who has won the open three times as crew ( for Steve Hunt) and twice as a helm. Would he make it a hat-trick? Well not if Blackburn had anything to do with it. Other former winners who were rumoured to be showing up included Tony \"The Tiger\" Woods and Alan Johnson, but regrettably, neither showed up. Apparently Tony opted to go to another event elsewhere although his wife was adamant it was only because he was scared.
The first race started with one boat who was over the line but they failed to go back so ended up with retirement points. Taggart rounded the windward mark first and soon generated a gap over the fleet, however Blackburn was not going to let him have it that easily and with his incredible boat speed (especially since his boat is over 20 years old!) he was on his tail. He failed to capitalise and Taggart took the first with Blackburn 2nd.
The second race was held with the same course as the first - it had good beats which are often tricky to find in the eastly winds. Blackburn wasted no time in this one to take pole position and soon had a great lead over Taggart who got caught in traffic but clawed his way into 2nd ahead of Eddie Pilling.
So with a first and a second each Blackburn and Taggart both needed the third race to secure victory. So the pressure was on, and at the first mark - Pilling was ahead, with the contenders for the title battling other further back on the course. Blackburn soon over came Taggart and set on his march to victory. After several particularly fast laps he passed pilling to take victory and Pilkington Enterprise Open Winner 2008. Steve Blackburn and crew Nick Hampson were particularly delighted with this result as this was their first open title and with two firsts at their home club, they\'d done it in style.
17 year old local sailor Alan Roberts also deserves a mention with his crew Rob Lea for finishing 4th overall having sailed some great races through the day. They won the Ecclesall Trophy which is awarded to first non-podium Pilkington Member. |
Training at Toddbrook 5th of April
