Enterprise Training and Open at Toddbrook Sailing Club

17 boats for the Enterprise open at Toddbrook © TSC

17 boats for the Enterprise open at Toddbrook © TSC

Tony Woods and Charlie win the Enterprise open at Toddbrook © Steve Blackburn

Toddbrook SC held the first North West Enterprise Event of the 2009. Saturday started with the training day, training officer was Mike Birch from WLYC. Everybody was really thankful of the expert coaching. Paul Brotherton came down a little later and gave some advice. Paul is one of the leading Olympic coaches. So many thanks to Mike & Paul, for a great learning experience.

Sunday, was the start of the North West Top Helm Series. We were greeted with Sunshine. The wind had picked up 15 – 20 mph breeze, which most were enjoying. The start line was favouring the end of the line from the OD hut. This meant you had to tack on port as soon as the gun went. We sailed to the top end of the lake, with a short run, broad reach, a reach, a run again, close reach and back on the beat.

17 boats on the line for race 1 and Alan Roberts & Rob Lee (Pilkington) had a superior start and gained ground on the fleet through the first 2 laps. Steve Blackburn & Nick Hampson (Pilkington) & Ed Pilling & Dave Boustead (Arnside) eventually overtook Alan. Ed held his lead for a lap until an error slowed them down. Steve took full advantage to finish 1st. Ed recovered well and finished 2nd and Karen Morris & Lisa Woods (Etherow) held 3rd.

After a great lunch of Jacket spuds and various toppings, cake and tea, we set sail for race 2, Steve had the best start after the recall, followed by Ed, Alan and the girls. Tony Woods & Charlie were not far from the leading pack and on the 3rd beat and punched their way up beat to 1st place. Tony held his lead to finish 1st. Ed managed to break from Steve and finish 2nd with Steve 3rd.

For race 3, sailing the same course as the previous races due to the direction of the wind we set sail. Tony came off the line in 1st and never faulted. Steve again held 2nd for a while and dropped to 4th with Karen & Lisa taking 2nd. Alan and Rob Came in 3rd for the highest place of the day.

Thanks to Toddbrook SC for a great day.

Overall Results: