The Enterprise Association UK

Enterprise Double Chine Series at Redditch Sailing Club - By Paul Young - 11 October 2008

This event the fifteenth and final in the 2008 Midland area Double Chine Series sponsored by Speed Sails, was held at Redditch Sailing Club on Saturday 11th October. The three visiting boats joined the six home boats.

Race one was sailed in a light and shifty force two breeze. Jon Woodward /Ben Eaves (Redditch SC) led from start to finish with Mike Cossey / Christine Barron (Tamworth SC) taking second place and Dave Jackson / Hilary Farmiloe (Redditch SC) third.

Conditions were similar for race two with the placing`s almost identical to the first race with Jon and Ben again taking first place.

Jon took a well deserved rest for the third race which was sailed in a dying breeze, Mike and Christine broke clear. Places changed for second, third and fourth with Nigel and Diana Pepperdine (Staunton Harold SC) finally taking second and Dave and Hilary third.

Thanks to Redditch SC for a good day.

1st 23089 Jon Woodward & Ben Eaves (Redditch SC) 2pts
2nd 22823 Mike Cossey & Christine Barron (Tamworth SC) 3pts
3rd 20518 Nigel Pepperdine & Diana Pepperdine (Staunton Harold SC) 6pts
4th 22701 Dave Jackson & Hilary Farmiloe (Redditch SC) 6pts
5th 22401 Greg Croydon & Gail Ranford (Redditch SC) 9pts
6th 22901 Paul Young & Therese O`Toole (Brookvale and Sparkhill SC) 11pts
7th 19895 Terry Hobbis & Margot Bish (Redditch SC) 13pts
8th 23228 Steve Orme & Elaine Herlihy (Redditch SC) 17pts
9th 23094 Ian Ranford & Rob Eaves (Redditch SC) 17pts

Enterprise Open at Hollowell Sailing Club - By Paul Young 28

This event, the fourteenth in the 2008 Midland area Double Chine Series sponsored by Speed Sails, was held at Hollowell Sailing Club on Sunday 28th September. The fleet of twelve boats was greeted by a dry day with light winds.

In the first race Richard Adams/Martin Weatherstone (Midland SC) led from the start, followed by Jon Woodward /Alex Halliwell (Redditch SC), both had cleared Home buoy before the rest of the fleet congregated around the mark with a sudden drop in what little wind there was. At one point the fleet appeared rafted together until a fresh breeze broke up the party. Richard and Martin won convincingly with Jon and Alex in second place. Nigel and Diana Pepperdine (Staunton Harold SC) took equal third with Paul Young /Therese O` Toole (Brookvale and Sparkhill SC) having broken free from the home mark melee.

After lunch the wind picked up for a good start to race two, Steve Graham /James Holmes (Northampton SC) led at the first mark followed by Jon and Alex, after Richard and Martin made a less than good start, however they soon took the lead after the first lap and a second win led to first prize for the day. Second in this race was Jon and Alex with Barry Moss /Julie Moore (Shustoke SC) third.

Race three started without Richard and Martin who decided to sit this one out. In the best wind of the day Jon and Alex led from the start to finish with some great battles going on behind to sort out the remaining places. At the finish Steve and James were second with Barry and Julie third.

Thanks to Hollowell SC for a good day.

1st 2322, Richard Adams & Martin Weatherstone (Midland SC) 2pts
2nd 23089, Jonathan Woodward & Alex Halliwell (Redditch SC/ West Lancs YC) 3pts
3rd 23223, Steve Graham & James Holmes (Northampton SC) 6pts
4th 23008, Barry Moss & Julie Moore (Shustoke SC) 6pts
5th 20518, Nigel Pepperdine & Diana Pepperdine (Staunton Harold SC) 7.5pts
6th 22901, Paul Young & Therese O`Toole (Brookvale and Sparkhill SC) 8.5pts
7th 22823, Mike Cossey & Alan Winters (Tamworth SC /Hollowell SC) 11pts
8th 23159, Martin Bottomley & Ray Ball (Emberton Park SC) 15pts
9th 22971, Dave Holyoak & Syliva Holyoak (Hollowell SC) 15pts
10th 21628, Tony Chambers & Dawn Barsby (Hollowell SC) 19pts
11th 22619, Kevin Rose & Gill Bilton (Olton Mere SC) 19pts
12th 22943, Ian Mackey & Annie Mackey (Hollowell SC) 23pts

The Double Chine at Olten Mere
Photo © Janice Bottomley / www.sailaway.me.uk

Close tacktical racing at Olten Mere - Photo © Janice Bottomley / www.sailaway.me.uk

This event the thirteenth in the 2008 Midland area Double Chine Series sponsored by Speed Sails was held at Olton Mere Sailing Club on Saturday 20th September. The fleet of nine boats was greeted by brilliant sunshine and a light southerly breeze.

In the first race Mike Cossey/Christine Barron (Tamworth SC) got a good start and led at the windward mark, they continued to lead for some considerable time until Nigel Allso/Kate Brazier (Tamworth SC) reeled them in. A battle them took place with the lead swapping several times, at the last mark a rare mistake by Nigel and Kate saw them doing a penalty turn allowing Mike and Christine to get away to win. Second was Nigel and Kate and third was Paul Young/Therese O ` Toole (Brookvale and Sparkhill SC) with locals Kevin Rose/ Gill Bilton (Olton Mere SC) forth.

The second race started in a lighter and more variable wind, Nigel and Kate led at the first mark but got becalmed soon afterwards allowing Martin Bottomley/Iain Leiper (Emberton Park SC) to take the lead, followed by Kevin and Gill. Later Nigel and Kate got the lead back after rounding a mark on the inside of a three boat overlap and got away to win this race.

Mike and Christine recovering after a bad start passed Martin and Iain on the last lap to take second place. On the last leg in sight of the finish Martin and Iain got becalmed allowing Paul and Therese plus Kevin and Gill past to finish third and forth. Martin and Iain finished fifth.

In race three Mike and Christine got a good start and built up an unassailable lead to win both the race and the meeting, Nigel and Kate were second. Kevin and Gill and also Paul and Therese both had abysmal starts and battled through the fleet, at the finish Kevin and Gill were third with Paul and Therese forth. Thanks to Olton Mere SC for a good day.

1st 22823 - Mike Cossey/Christine Barron - Tamworth SC - 2pts
2nd 20443 - Nigel Allso/ Kate Brazier - Tamworth SC - 3pts
3rd 22901 - Paul Young/Therese O` Toole - Brookvale and Sparkhill SC -6pts
4th 22619 - Kevin Rose/Gill Bilton - Olton Mere SC - 7pts
5th 23159 - Martin Bottomley/Iain Leiper - Emberton Park/Midland SC -10pts
6th 22598 - Andrew Yates / Dave Humphries - Olton Mere SC - 11pts
7th 21622 - Niall Martin/Ben Humphries - Olton Mere SC - 14pts
8th 18744 - Chis Troth / Maria Gidley - Olton Mere SC - 14pts
9th 22493 - Steve White/Laura Humphries - Olton Mere SC - 15pts

This event, the twelfth in the 2008 Midland area Double Chine series sponsored by Speed Sails was held at Midland SC on Sunday 31st August. The Midland SC fleet of six boats was joined by four visitors on a dull overcast day with a very light and fickle breeze.

After a short postponement race one got underway with Jon Woodward / Alex Halliwell (Redditch/WLYC) leading at the windward mark closely followed by Richard Adams/Siobhan Pearson (Midland SC) and Nigel Allso / Kate Brazier (Tamworth SC). On the next lap Richard and Siobhan took the lead on the beat, followed by Nigel and Kate and Jon and Alex.

Later also on a beat Paul Young / Iain Leiper (Midland SC) went right and passed both Jon and Alex and Nigel and Kate to gain second. On the final leg Nigel and Kate passed Paul and Iain to finish second with Jon and Alex forth.

Race two sailed in drizzly conditions, saw Jon and Alex again first at the windward mark a position they held onto for one lap. Richard and Siobhan and Nigel and Kate passed Jon and Alex on the run, these positions were then held to the finish. A great battle for forth position took place between Kevin Rose / D Mayo (Olton Mere SC) and Paul and Iain who took the upper hand on the last reach.

The third race was abandoned when the wind died completely.

1st 23087 Richard Adams & Siobhan Pearson (Midland SC) 2 pts
2nd 20443 Nigel Allso & Kate Brazier (Tamworth SC) 4 pts
3rd 23089 Jon Woodward & Alex Halliwell (Redditch SC / WLYC) 7 pts
4th 22901 Paul Young & Iain Leiper (Midland SC) 7 pts
5th 22619 Kevin Rose & D Mayo (Olton Mere SC) 10 pts
6th 20266 Kevin Hopkins & Phil Harrison (Midland SC) 15 pts

This event a joint Midland and Eastern open was the eleventh in the 2008 Midland area Double Chine series sponsored by Speed Sails was held at Emberton Park SC on Sunday 13th July. The fleet of nine boats was greeted by warm sunshine and a light northerly breeze.

The first race was led from start to finish by Richard Adams/ Martin Weatherstone (Midland SC). Neil Parsloe /Siobhan Ladyman (Broadwater SC) held second place, whilst Phil Bevan / Laura Bevan (Grafham Water SC) and Luke Fisher / Nicki Fisher (Emberton Park SC) exchanged places regularly in the battle for third. On the last lap Paul Young / Siobhan Pearson (Midland SC) passed Phil and Laura to take fourth place, whilst Luke and Nicki continued to press Neil and Siobhan all the way to the finish line, but was unable to beat Neil and Siobhan who held on to second place winning by inches in an exciting finish.

In race two from a busy start line Phil and Laura led at the first mark from Neil and Siobhan who rounded second, however Richard and Martin soon got going to win both this race and the meeting comfortably. Phil and Laura, Neil and Siobhan and Luke and Nicki continued to fight on for second place until Neil and Siobhan got trapped out on the right of the course and slipped backwards. At the end Luke and Nicki held on to finish second with Phil and Laura third.

The third race was held on a new course with another exciting start line in front of the clubhouse. Luke and Nicki led at the windward mark with Phil and Laura and Neil and Siobhan following closely behind and Paul and Siobhan further back in fourth. On the second lap Paul and Siobhan got a lucky wind shift, exploited it to the full and shot forward to threaten the leaders. Neil and Siobhan then dropped right back, whilst Paul and Siobhan Luke and Nicki and Phil and Laura exchanged places regularly at the front. Phil and Laura led at the last mark but locals Luke and Nicki snatched victory on the line in another exciting finish.

Thanks to Emberton Park Sailing Club for a good day.

Pos	Sail No	Helm / Crew	Club	Points
1st	23087	Richard Adams / Martin Weatherstone	Midland SC	2
2nd	22502	Luke Fisher / Nicki Fisher	Emberton Park SC	3
3rd	22439	Phil Bevan / Laura Bevan	Grafham Water SC	5
4th	22629	Neil Parsloe / Siobhan Ladyman	Broadwater SC	6
5th	22901	Paul Young / Siobhan Pearson	Midland SC	7
6th	23159	Martin Bottomley / Ian Kelly	Emberton Park SC	11
7th	21454	Keith King / Peter Richards	Milton Keynes SC	13
8th	19790	Malcolm Kirby / Adam Fisher	Emberton Park SC	14
9th	19960	Derek Bryant / Jack Bryant	Emberton Park SC	16

Jonathan Woodward and Alex Halliwell were first at Notts County
Photo © David Eberlin

Notts County Sailing Club hosted the latest event in the Speed Sails Midland Area Double Chine Series on the 12 July.

Half a dozen visitors combined with 9 home boats to provide close racing for a range of abilities in a variety of wind strengths .The first race was dominated by the visiting boats. Jonathan Woodward / Alex Halliwell (23089) led from the windward mark setting a pattern which would be repeated throughout the day. Winds of 20 knots provided challenging conditions for a few of the newcomers to Enterprise sailing.

Tim Cripps and Amy Clay were second at Notts County - Photo © David Eberlin

The Coghills (21357) decision to swim on the last lap losing them many well earned places.

The wind dropped for the start of the second race, with a squall arriving in the middle of the race requiring a period of survival sailing. The visiting boats decided to follow Woodward / Halliwell the wrong way around the course and retired. This meant that T.Cripps / A. Clay (21366) in a boat loaned from Nigel Potter gained a critical 1st place, even though they sail outside the Enterprise Fleet (Laser / Scorpion).

A squall sweeps across in race 2 at Notts County - Photo © David Eberlin

With all to play for in the final race the Woodward / Halliwell team secured another 1st followed by M.Cossey / C.Barron (22823) 2nd. G.Brown / D.Swain (23194) 3rd.

Of note was the flyaway jib stick of Jon Woodward which while offering small advantage to seasoned helms and crews was thought to offer inexperienced crews a greater advantage as it stopped “messing about” time when putting the pole up/away.

Thank were given to the team at Notts County for an enjoyable days sailing and a well run event.

Pos	Sail No	Helm	Crew	Club
1st	23089	Jonathan Woodward	Alex Halliwell	Redditch SC
2nd	21366	Tim Cripps	Amy Clay	Notts County SC
3rd	22823	Mike Cossey	Christine Barron	Tamworth SC
4th	23194	Ges Brown	Dennis Swain	Hallamshire
5th	23012	Kevin Evison	Freya Evison	Notts County SC
6th	22822	Neville Taylor	Kirsty Gow	Hunts SC

Photo © RLSC

Small and isolated puffs of wind for the Enterprises at Rudyard Lake
Photo © RLSC

Small and isolated puffs of wind for the Enterprises at Rudyard Lake

Joint Midland Double Chine Series / North West Top Helm Series sponsored By Speed Sails

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.

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)

Photo © J Short

Action from the Nottingham Enterprise open at Nottingham

This event, a joint Midland / North East open, the sixth in the Midland area Double Chine series sponsored by Speed Sails was held on the River Trent at Nottingham SC on Monday 5th May.

After a one and half hour postponement due to a lack of wind, the five boats started the first race in a light Northerly breeze blowing across the river. Local light wind specialist, Ken Hemsell & Maureen Meakin (Nottingham SC) exchanging the lead several times with Russell Short & Kate Fry (Rotherham SC) with Ken & Maureen often passing downwind. At the finish Russell and Kate were first with Ken and Maureen second followed by a rapidly closing Paul Young/Siobhan Pearson (Midland SC) who nearly caught Ken and Maureen on the finish line.

The second race was sailed immediately after the first to take advantage of the reasonable wind now blowing. On a new course and start line Russell and Kate got a good start to lead the race from start to finish. Ken and Maureen were over the line at the start and had to return. Paul and Siobhan battled with Nigel Nurse & Julie March (Nottingham SC) to get second place.

The third race was sailed in the best conditions of the day with good sunshine and a moderate easterly wind. Russell and Kate led at the first mark from Paul and Siobhan, who got covered downwind by three boats, but managed to escape in front of the clubhouse. Later Paul and Siobhan caught Russell and Kate on the second beat. For the next two laps there were continual battles between Paul and Siobhan and Russell and Kate, at the final leeward mark Paul and Siobhan rounded first and covered Russell and Kate to win in an exciting finish within inches, on opposite sides of the river.

1st 23219 Russell Short and Kate Fry (Rotherham SC) 2pts
2nd 22901 Paul Young and Siobhan Pearson (Midland SC) 3pts
3rd 17988 Ken Hemsell and Maureen Meakin (Nottingham SC) 6pts
4th 19386 Nigel Nurse and Julie March (Nottingham SC) 6pts
5th 19120 Simon Limb and Adrian Hurry (Nottingham SC) 10pts

Photo © Janice Bottomley / www.sailaway.me.uk

Racing in the Enterprise Midla
Photo © Janice Bottomley / www.sailaway.me.uk

Gybe mark and run down wind in the Enterprise Midland Area Championships

This event was the fourth in the 2008 Midland area Double Chine series sponsored by Speed Sails was held at Barnt Green SC on the weekend of 26th/27th April.

Race one held in strong winds – the first beat sorted the men from the boys and Richard Adams/ James Holmes (Bartley SC) proved what big men they were –first round the windward mark followed by Jonathan Woodward/Alex Halliwell (Redditch SC) and Steve Graham Matt Johnson (Northampton SC). The positions didn’t change much until the final lap when Steve/Matt pulled through to second closely followed by Tim Sadler/Hannah Sadler (Ripon SC) Jonathan/Alex and Ges Brown/Dennis Swain (Hallamshire).

In race two Richard and James led round the windward mark and never looked back. The following pack saw some close racing with places changing constantly. Finally it was Jonathan and Alex who took second with Tim and Hannah third, Steve and Matt then Ges and Dennis.

Tim and Hannah led round the windward mark in race three followed by Jonathan and Alex, with Ges and Dennis third .Tim and Hannah making full use of the gusty conditions to build up a lead on the planing reach. Richard and James didn’t have a good first beat and rounded tenth but managed eventually to pull through to second place passing Ges and Dennis on the last beat to the finish.

In the lighter winds on Sunday the race officer laid a challenging start line in race four, which could not be crossed on starboard tack, after a small adjustment the twenty boats got off to a clean start. First round the windward mark was Tim and Hannah who sailed away from the fleet. Mike Cossey/Christine Barron (Tamworth SC) was second until Richard /James and Ges/ Dennis managed to pass on the penultimate beat, these positions were then held to the finish.

Richard and Peter Tuckett (Barnt Green SC), sailing almost the oldest boat in the competition at thirty four years old, stormed up the first beat in race five, leading by at least a hundred yards at the first mark, second was Mike and Jessicia Pickworth (Barnt Green SC), who took advantage of their local knowledge to lead a close bunch of four boats which followed which included Jonathan/Alex, Ges/ Dennis, Steve /Matt, and Tim/ Hannah. Places changed until the fourth beat when Ges/Dennis pulled through to lead with Steve/Matt in second place, the final beat saw Tim /Hannah move into second with Jonathan/Alex piping Steve/Matt to third.

Richard Adams and James Holmes are the new Midland area champions, who thanked everyone for a great weekend. Richard Tuckett rounded off a good afternoon’s work by winning the star prize in the Double Chine lucky draw.

1st 23087 Richard Adams/James Holmes Bartley SC) 6pts
2nd 23127 Tim Sadler/Hannah Sadler Ripon SC) 7pts
3rd 23194 Ges Brown/Dennis Swain Hallamshire) 12pts
4th 23089 Jonathan Woodward/Alex Halliwell Redditch SC) 13pts
5th 23223 Steve Graham/Matt Johnson Northampton SC) 15pts
6th 23138 Adrian Savage/ Caroline Savage Barnt Green SC) 29pts
7th 22979 Kelsey Suggitt/ Josh Stuart (Barnt Green SC) 35pts
8th 23159 Martin Bottomley /Ray Ball (Emberton Park SC) 41pts
9th 22619 Kevin Rose/Naomi Bilton (Olton Mere SC) 42pts
10th 22901 Paul Young/ Iain Leiper (Midland SC) 42pts
11th 22823 Mike Cossey/ Christine Barron (Tamworth SC) 44pts
12th 23224 Graham Kirkup/ Crawford Mc Cleary (Grafham Water SC) 45pts
13th 22869 Rob Lennox/Hannah Lennox (Barnt Green SC) 49pts
14th 18247 Bob Suggitt/ Kate Rowe (Barnt Green SC) 51pts
15th 22932 Mike Pickworth/ Jessica Pickworth (Barnt Green SC) 52pts
16th 20443 Nigel Allso/Kate Brazier (Tamworth SC) 55pts
17th 23008 Barry Moss/ Julie Moore (Shustoke SC) 58pts
18th 17717 Richard Tuckett/ Peter Tuckett (Barnt Green SC) 60pts
19th 21444 Richard Easton/ Jill Easton (Barnt Green SC) 67pts
20th 22428 Gordon Padmore/ Rose Padmore (Barnt Green SC) 69pts
21st 14711 Joe Taylor/ Sam Evans (Barnt Green SC) 83pts

This event was the third in the 2008 Midland area Double Chine series sponsored by Speed Sails was held at Sutton SC on Sunday 20th April.

The nine boats were met by rain and cold Easterly winds which were both variable in strength and direction which kept everybody on there toes.

In the first race John Wilber/Georgina Fletcher (Sutton SC) starting on port tack from favored end of a heavily port biased line got the best start and led for most of the first lap. Ges Brown/Dennis Swain (Hallamshire) and Nigel Allso/Kate Brazier (Tamworth SC) pulled through on the second lap, with Mike Cossey/Christine Barron (Tamworth SC) in third and Paul Young/Iain Leiper (Midland SC) catching up after a poor start fourth. At the finish after many battles, Brown/Swain was first followed by Allso/Brazier in second. Snatching third on the finish line was Young/Leiper after an exciting tacking duel with Cossey/ Barron on the final beat.

After an excellent lunch, the second race got underway in similar conditions, to the first, this time Young /Leiper making a good start from the middle of the line led up the first beat until Brown/Swain, Allso/Brazier and Cossey/Barron making better use of the wind bends and shifts soon passed him. Allso/Barron and Brown/Swain then pulled away and continued to fight for first place for most of the race, never being more than a few boat apart, with the lead changing several times. Brown/Swain won again, Allso/Brazier was second close behind. Cossey/Barron getting the better of Young/Leiper on the last lap was third.

This left second third and fourth places to be decided in the last race. In the lighter conditions now prevailing Cossey/Barron rounded the windward mark first followed by Young/Leiper, Allso/Brazier and Martin Bottomley/Bill Burton(Emberton Park SC). By the third lap Allso/Brazier had gained the lead followed by Brown/Swain with Cossey/Barron and Young/Leiper in hot pursuit. At this stage the real battle was for third with the outcome not decided until the final tack when Cossey/Barron just far ahead of Young/Leiper to tack in front in front of him, sailed the final few yards remaining on a one sided beat to gain third place overall.

The club's sponsors Purple Marine presented some of the prizes.

1st 23194 Ges Brown/Dennis Swain (Hallamshire) 2pts
2nd 20443 Nigel Allso/Kate Brazier (Tamworth SC) 4pts
3rd 22823 Mike Cossey/Christine Barron (Tamworth SC) 6pts
4th 22901 Paul Young/Iain Leiper (Midland SC) 7pts
5th 22939 John Wilber/ Georgina Fletcher (Sutton SC) 10pts
6th 23159 Martin Bottomley/Bill Burton (Emberton Park SC) 11pts
7th 22556 Dave Batsford/C Petrie (Sutton SC) 13pts
8th 19616 Dave Hall/Tony Fletcher (Sutton SC) 16pts
9th 18804 M Hughes/Alex Hughes (Sutton SC) 16pts

Middle Nene SC defeated the weather forecasts on the weekend of April 5th and 6th for the annual Enterprise Open Meeting, which is a joint Eastern and Midland Area event sponsored by Speed Sails.

This year the Open Meeting was preceded by a training day on the Saturday coached by Mike McNamara in his usual humorous, individual and highly instructive style. Sixteen boats came to the event and everyone from beginner to expert learnt a lot. All agreed it had been an excellent day. A chilly (mostly) northerly breeze provided a wide variety of conditions, from a gentle F2 in the morning, to a full-blown F5-6 squall in the afternoon which gave even the experts something to think about. The large changes in both strength and direction gave Mike a great range of valuable examples to aid his coaching.

In spite of overnight snow, the sun soon emerged and Sunday 6th provided a F2-3 northerly (again variable with big windshifts) which ensured interesting racing with plenty of place-changing and not a little frustration throughout the day.

Two back to back races were run in the morning, but the weather remained benign all day and all 15 competitors raced the third race in the afternoon, although a few packed up early in order to get home.

Jonathan Woodward, the 2007 cup holder, was trying out a new flyaway jibstick, (as used by the National Twelves) as yet not Class Approved, so his results did not count in the final tally although he would have finished 2nd overall. He took an early lead in the first race but was overtaken by Stephen Graham and James Holmes from Northampton SC in E 23223, who went on to win both the first and second races, thus securing the cup. Jane and Nick Scutt (E 22702) of the home club came 2nd and Paul Young with Iain Leiper (E22901) from Midland SC was 3rd.

Graham Kirkup (Grafham Water SC) was left crewless and went round single-handed. He brought the Easter Eggs from Grafham because their Easter Egg races were abandoned because of the weather. They were awarded to; Oldest Boat - Tim and Jo Coleman (E 20202 Snettisham Beach), First Married Couple - Jane & Nick Scutt, Last Boat - Jack and Jenny Mead (E 22977, MNSC - discounting Jon Woodward and Graham Kirkup, see above), best Easter Bonnet – Kim Hall (E 22873 MNSC) and Loudest Scream – Jo Coleman (result of a surprise gybe).

1st 23223 Steve Graham & James Holmes (Northampton SC) 2pts
2nd 22702 Jane Scutt & Nick Scutt (Middle Nene SC) 3pts
3rd 22901 Paul Young & Iain Leiper (Midland SC) 6pts
4th 23159 Martin Bottomley & Ray Ball (Emberton Park SC) 8pts
5th 22623 Andy Shipp & Alex Alcock (Hunts SC) 8pts
6th 22439 Phil Bevan/Laura Bevan (Grafham SC) 9pts

This event was the first in the 2008 Midland area Double Chine series sponsored by Speed Sails was held at Rugby and Daventry SC on Sunday 16th March. The eight boats were met by strong gusty north easterly winds which caused much excitement and capsizes.

In the first race Richard Adams & Martin Weatherstone (Midland SC) led from start to finish. Martin and Laurence Davies (Rugby and Daventry SC) held a comfortable second place position until an unfortunate windward capsize whilst bearing round the gybe at the last mark put them out of the race. Martin Bottomley & Ray Ball (Emberton Park SC) took full advantage of this mistake sailing well to finish second with last years winner Ges Brown & Chris Blundell (Hallamshire) taking third place. Every boat capsized at least once in the first race.

In the second race Adams & Weatherstone led again at the first windward mark from Martin Davies & Mike Cossey, followed by Steve Graham & Tom Platt (Northampton SC) and then Bottomley & Ball. Graham & Platt then capsized on a run letting Bottomley & Ball into third place. Paul Young & Therese O`Toole (Brookvale and Sparkhill SC) moved up to forth place after Brown & Blundell capsized to windward on a beat. At the finish Adams & Weatherstone were first again, so winning the meeting, second were Davies & Cossey with Bottomley & Ball third.

This left second, third and fourth places to be decided in the last race. Adams & Weatherstone and Brown & Blundell did not start. Davies & Cossey led from start to finish. Meanwhile third place was at stake between Bottomley & Ball and Young & O`Toole who had to fight off Kevin Rose & Naomi Bilton (Olton Mere SC) for the first two laps. After shaking off Rose & Bilton, Young & O`Toole overtook Bottomley & Ball but failed to hold on to the advantage. At the finish Bottomley & Ball beat Young & O`Toole by about six foot.

1st 23087 Richard Adams/ Martin Weatherstone (Midland SC) 2pts
2nd 22320 Martin Davies/Mike Cossey (Rugby and Daventry SC) 3pts
3rd 23159 Martin Bottomley/ Ray Ball (Emberton Park SC) 5pts
4th 22901 Paul Young/ Therese O` Toole (Brookvale and Sparkhill) 7pts
5th 23194 Ges Brown/ Chris Blundell (Hallamshire) 8pts
6th 22619 Kevin Rose/Naomi Bilton (Olton Mere SC) 10pts
7th 21625 Andy Flack/ Martin Hooker (Rugby and Daventry SC) 10pts
8th 23323 Steve Graham/Tom Platt (Northampton SC) 12pts