The Enterprise Association UK

• Elton SC
• Bassenthwaite
• Rudyard Lake SC
• West Lancs YC
• Chester S&CC
• Wigan SC
• Pilkington SC
• Winsford Flash SC
• Toddbrook SC

Top Helm 2010 league table

 Elton SC Open Meeting 14 August

As all competitors arrived at Bass and rigged their Enterprises. 174 boats were competing in the regatta. The Enterprise fleet managed an impressive 20 boats, with boats from the Midlands, North East, NorthWest, Cheshire, Yorkshire and Cambridgeshire. The racing started at 2pm and the wind was a shifty 3-5 from the SouthWest. Overcast and with showers at times.

Race one, David & Jackie Gebhard (Derwent) went on to win the first race with Mark Dingsdale & Ruth Critchley (Pilkington) in 2nd Steve Blackburn & Nick Hampson finished in 3rd (WLYC / Pilkington) retired after racing after an altercation. This pushed Michael & Sue Tomlinson (Ripon) into 3rd place.

After a short rest we set sail for race two begun, Mark Dingsdale managed to win from David and Jackie Gebhard. In third was Kevin & Jonny Anderson (Derwent). Steve Blackburn finished in 4th with Alan Baker & Gill Kincaid (Tynemouth). The racing was very close and was watched by many spectators, as the racing seems to be the closest in all of the fleets.

Entertainment was held in the evening but many competitors didn’t attend due to tiredness and fatigue after the tough racing.

Day two and race three soon approached and the wind had eased but similar conditions to the previous day. Again Mark and Dave both had a good chance of winning the event. Mark managed to hold is nerve for his second bullet. Dave & Jackie managed to find a topper on the journey and bent their mast but finished third. David & Dominic Manson (Bewl Valley SC) finished in 2nd the best result of the event. Steve finished in 4th with Kevin in 5th.

The 4th and last race was held. Starboard bias line, as competitors tried to hold the pin. Not unusual to see match racing going on in the Enterprise fleet. Mark seemed to be held off the line by another competitor. Mark had a poor start and never recovered as David & Jackie Gebhard went on to win the Race and the Event. Kevin Anderson finished in 2nd with Kevin and Scott Bilham (Ely SC) in third. Fourth were Richard Critchley & Rob Lea (Pilkington) and fifth were Mark Ninnim & Emma Powell-Smith (Bass) in 5th.

Overall Results:

This was a joint open meeting with the the North West Top Helm Series & Midland Double Chine series, and was sponsored by Speed Sails.

The sun was shining and the wind was building through out the day to a force 2 – 4. Perfect sailing conditions for all standards. Phil Wilson from Ogston was sailing his newly refurbished boat 472 and finished ninth overall, a great achievement.

 

Race one soon approached as we started 5 minutes before the Albacore’s. Tony Woods and Charlie Berry (Etherow) soon create a lead up the first beat. Jonathon Woodward and Alex Halliwell (Bartley) were not far behind Tony. In third place was Steve Blackburn and Royston Taggart (WLYC / Pilkington). In forth was Ian & Fiona Friswell (Rugby & Daventry) Tony was put under great pressure from Jonathon but held his nerve to finish first. With all the positions remained the same for the end of the race.

Race two soon came as we sailed back to back. Again Tony sailed Well and soon established a lead. Martin & Laurence Davies (Rugby & Daventry) was a little behind in second with Steve & Royston in third. Through out the race Tony, Martin and Steve exchanged places on the downwind legs. Eventually on the last beat Tony and Martin had an altercation with Martin having a penalty 720. Tony went on to win, Steve came in second and Martin in third.

After lunch which was a great spread of Jacket potatoes, Sausage, Ham, Cheese, salad and more. The dessert was superb with apple pie and Cream and was finished with a cup of tea.

Again we set sail for the final race. The wind was nice a steady, the course with a good long beat nearly the whole length of the lake with runs and reaches. Tony Woods didn’t sail due to winning the event. Second and third had not been decided so still plenty to sail for. Again Jonathon and Steve sailed well up the first beat to round the buoy in first in second.

Jonathon and Steve had a great battle through out the race with Jonathon finishing in first and Steve in Second. The next pack was three boats, Martin & Laurence, Karen Morris and Lisa Woods (Etherow) and Ian Friswell. Eventually on the last beat Martin came through to finish third with Karen pulling through the fleet for forth and Ian in fifth.

Another great event from Rudyard Lake Sailing Club, we can’t wait for next year!

 
10 competitors arrived at Ainsdale on Sea close to Southport. The weather was overcast and was eventually going to rain as we packed our boats away. The wind was south westerly, a force 2 for the first race and building to a force 3 - 4 for the third race.

Joint Enterprise and Laser open meeting on the sae at Ainsdale

After the briefing and preparing our boats we set sail for race 1. Christian & Nikki Birrell (Leigh & Lowton) started very well and approached the windward mark first. The Birrell's gained on they’re lead for the remainder of the race. Jonathon Woodward and Chris Blundell (Batley) secured second with Charlie Adams and Oliver Hilliker (WLYC) held 3rd.

After a short rest we set sail for race 2. The course was excellent with a trapezoidal shape and using buoys 1,2,3 then 2,3,4 for a full course. Jonathon worked hard to win the second race as wind shifts on every beat was slight but enough to change places. The Birrell's came in second and Charlie Adams came in third.

Race 3, after the second recall of the Laser fleet, which were also enjoying a tidal Open event Started before the Enterprise. Again the Birrell's started well. The sailing had been very close; Barry Moss sailed well to finish first. The Birrell's just came in second with Steve Blackburn & Royston Taggart (WLYC & Pilkington) pinching third and Jonathon Woodward in forth.

A Special thank you for the superb organization & hospitality from WLYC

Results:

1st Christian & Nikki Birrell (L&LSC
2nd Jonathon Woodward & Pete Blundell (Bartley)
3rd Barry Moss & Julie Moore (Shustoke)
4th Charlie Adams & Oliver Hilliker (WLYC)
5th Steve Blackburn & Royston Taggart (WLYC/Pilkington)

Chester Open Meeting - Saturday 5th June - Report by Tim Finch

It was a day for T-shirts and shorts for the only river event on the North West Enterprise circuit. The OD, Mike Kneale, delayed the first race to give time for the fitful SW breeze to settle.  Mark Neild and Will Rushforth got away well and were first round the windward mark. However, on the second beat they were caught and overtaken by Chester juniors Lewis Kneale and George Forrester-Coles. Lewis and George held on to win from Mark and the fast finishing Alison Payne and Kevin Law (Toddbrook SC).

 

The fleet charges down river in the third race on the Dee at Chester – photo Tim Finch

Refreshed by a lunch of hotpot and home made fruit pies and crumbles, the competitors set off for the second race. Mark and Will quickly built up what seemed an unassailable lead, only to be caught two marks from home when the rest of the fleet arrived at the end of the run down river with wind. Andy and Sam Bell from Gresford SC and David Jobling and Sam Evington (North Staffs SC) sailed round the marooned boats at the mark to take first and second places respectively.

 

Lewis Kneale and George Forrester- Coles lead Alison Payne and Kevin Law and Mark Neild and Will Rushforth – photo Tim Finch

To the delight of all a good force 3 NW breeze appeared for the start of the third race. Andy and Sam Bell quickly built up a commanding lead which they held to the finish with Lewis and George second and Amy Spreyer and Susi Osborne third. Andy and Sam Bell won the meeting by one point from Lewis and George. Andy and Sam are the first sailors from Gresford Flash to win the Greenall Whiley Trophy since Ken Higson was carving up the NW circuit in the late 1960s.

Winners of the Enterprise Open meeting at Chester Andy and Sam Bell – photo Tim Finch

Results

 Wigan Open Meeting - 23 May 2010

10  visitors joined Wigan Enterprise sailors at Scotman's Flash in a picturesque setting on the edge of Wigan. The heat from the sun was extreme, but enjoyed by all. The OD briefed us on the following races and we soon set sail. The wind was light and built up through out the day reaching a force four in the last two races.

Race 1, Up the first beat we soon saw Christian & Nikki Birrell take the lead and they never looked back as they increased there lead to finish 1st. Pete Lawson & Gareth Balfour (Bass) held second they seemed to be in full control unable to catch the leading boat and unable to concede to third. We did have a little battle with Karen Morris and Lisa Woods (Etherow), Mark Dingsdale and Ruth Critchley (Pilkington) and Steve Blackburn & Royston Taggart (WLYC & Pilkington) The girls managed to hold their own after a quick attack from Steve and then Mark as they crossed the line in third.

Lunchtime had approached and the food was served. Cottage Pie was fantastic with a free cup of tea to refresh all sailors has the heat of the sun and the sailing was hotting up.

Race 2: Steve and Pete sailed very well up the first beat to meet each other at the windward mark. Mark Dingsdale was just behind and managed to overtake Steve while Pete was lucky not to give water at the following buoy. Steve overtook Mark after an unfortunate capsize as the header turned into a lift. Steve soon caught up but Pete managed to hold onto first. Steve finished second and The Birrell's promoted themselves up to third after a disappointing start.

Race 3: Pete Lawson was unwell when he came ashore from the second race, and was not able to take part in the third race. Sunstroke may have been the cause. The young lads from Wigan SC James Morgan & Sean Bates took the lead for a good lap they certainly held there own. The Birrell's soon broke their way through after running aground on the sandbank and took first place. Steve also had poor start after running aground. But soon managed away past through until he met up with the Birrell's. They both battled to the very end and the last beat felt very tight as they were trying to catch each other out. The birrell\'s finished first with Steve in second and Jonathon Woodward and Alex Halliwell (WLYC & Bartley SC in third.

A big thank you again for a wonderfully organized and welcoming event.

Positions:

1st Christian and Nikki Birrell (RYA)
2nd Pete Lawson and Gareth Balfour (Bass/Killington)
3rd Steve Blackburn and Royston Taggart (WLYC/Pilkington)

The sea breeze provided wonderful conditions on a glorious hot day for Wigan's open meeting. All very close after a long first beat as the leaders round the first mark in the second race - photo Tim Finch

Active dinghy park as boats prepare to launch - photo Tim Finch

Brief stop on shore between the second and third races - photo Tim Finch

 Pilkington Open Meeting -  By Bill Rhodes

Race 1

Richard Critchley in 23121 quickly established the lead. He was initially challenged by Paul Sheppard in 20897 who was then overtaken by R. Taggart in 22817. Karen Morris crewed by Lisa Woods (two ladies from Ethrow S.C.)in 23165 who have supported the Pilkington Enterprise Open for about 3 years started in 5th place but by lap 2 had got to 3rd. P. Sheppard drifted out to 4th and M. Rusk to 5th. Richard Critchley took first place.

Race 2

After completing the water based start, the positions were 1st 22817 R. Taggart, 2nd 23121 R. Critchley, 3rd 20897 P. Sheppard, 4th Karen Morris, but again Karen Morris exchanged positions with Paul Sheppard and moved up to 3rd. A capsize caused M. Rusk to drop from 5th to 6th and elevated R. Lancaster to 5th. R. Taggart took first place.

Race 3

R. Taggart on 22817 quickly broke through R. Critchley on 23121, and although Richard closed the gap many times appeared unable to break through. Meantime the ladies from Ethrow S.C. maintained a steady third place with P. Sheppard 4th. R. Lancaster in 5th quickly lost out to M. Rusk on 22904 who stayed 5th with Roger 6th.

Unfortunately for R. Taggart, R. Critchley entered a protest which resulted in a disqualification in the last race and deprived R. Taggart of the overall trophy which went to R. Critchley.

Overall Results:

1st 23121 R. Critchley & R. Lea (Pilkington) 1.5pts
2nd 22817 R.Taggart & D. Roberts (Pilkington) 2.75pts
3rd 23165 K. Morris & L. Woods (Ethrow) 5pts
4th 20897 P. Sheppard & S. Bristow (Pilkington) 7pts
5th 22904 M. Rusk & S. Colley (Pilkington) 9pts
6th 19980 R. Lancaster & S. Barton (Pilkington) 10pts

Four boats from the home club and 13 visitors came to Winsford Flash on 18th April to be met by a dense blanket of fog with no marks visible from the shore.

The fog lifted in time for the first race but there was still not a ripple on the water. After a postponement until after lunch, three short races were squeezed in.

In the first race, the light breeze died to nothing, less than a minute after the start. The leading boats had gone to the right of the first beat but a group of three boats out to the left got the new breeze first . Steve Blackburn and Royston Taggart arrived at the first mark in the lead closely followed by the rest of the fleet. On the second beat, Christian Birrell and Bobby Partridge moved into a lead which they held to the finish. The twice winner of this event, Tony Woods crewed by Charlie Berry, sailed up into second place.

A series of ninety degree shifts delayed the start of the second race, making the race officer’s task very challenging but after the fickle breeze settled, a start was possible and Christian and Bobby led early on. However, midway through the race, a wind streak lifted Alan Johnson, crewed by Hannah Sadler, into a lead that they extended and held to the finish.

In race three, Steve and Royston again went into an early lead with Christian and Bobby second. These two boats pulled well ahead of the fleet. Christian and Bobby eventually squeezed past to take the race and the meeting.

Overall Results:

1st Christian Birrell & Bobby Partridge (Budworth SC)
2nd Alan Johnson & Hannah Sadler (SCYC)
3rd Tony Woods & Charlie Berry (Etherow Park SC)
4th Steve Blackburn & Royston Taggart (Pilkington SC)
5th Phil Snewin & Chris Blundel (Chester S&CC)