Enterprise Open at Pilkington Sailing Club

Enterprises at Pilkington © Rhea Burton

Enterprises at Pilkington © Rhea Burton

Pilkington hosted the Enterprise open with the majority of competitors on home water. Once again competitors and spectators were greeted by the infamous all you can eat breakfast courtesy of Karen & Cliff Waine.

Race 1 (which was a truly well thought out course with such variable conditions thanks to Race Officers Ray Lewis and Caroline O'Brien) started with nice sunshine and shifty conditions blowing no more than a force 3. Water based start with no hitch ended up with Sam Woods and Rick rounding windward mark 1st, followed by Alan Roberts and Diane, with Anna and Rob taking it in 3rd. Immediately Sam made the most of the shifty conditions and took a well established lead which left the rest of the fleet struggling in a hole. This seperated Sam from the other fleet and second place Alan dropped to last, whilst Royston and Becky also gained an advantage going from 5th to 2nd. As the race progressed despite sailing towards the wrong mark Sam and Ricks lead increased leaving them to their own sail, meanwhile behind Alan managed to battle through the fleet which left a battle between him and Royston. Finishing Sam 1st, Roy 2nd, Alan 3rd.

Lunch came where everyone was greeted to Hotpot by Freda and the other ladies in the galley, which gave time for the wind to increase to a 3 gusting 5.

Race 2 was then underway with Royston making the most of the wind rounding the mark 1st, followed by Alan, Sam then Paul Shepphard and Steve. Royston having a slight advantage then gained a firm 1st position which left Alan and Sam battling for 2 laps, Sam overtook Alan on lap 3. With Royston in a great lead it was left to Sam to try and chase him down whilst a battle for 3rd was also forming with Paul Shepphard overtaking Alan which made him 3rd, Alan took 4th. Congratulations to Stan & Sue Barton for the 1st capsize of the day (told you I would).

Race 3 had similar conditions to race 3 windwise with stronger gusts leaving Royston and Sam battling for 1st, with Paul and Alan again battling for 3rd. Royston managed to gain a lead once again and the top 3 were well spaced between each other. Alan capsized which left Paul and Steve 3rd whilst Royston had quite comfortably had the win from start to finish. Sam 2nd, Paul 3rd with a retirement from Alan.

Pilkington would like to thank the Sam & Rick for visiting from Glossop and also John Berry & Crew Dave Jones for making their way from Etherow, Also to Alan who managed to take time out of the Navy to be at the Event.

Overall Results:

1st Rosyton Taggart & Becca Cox (Pilkington)
2nd Sam Woods & Rick Hayton (Glossop)
3rd Paul Sheppard & Steve Bristow (Pilkington)
4th Alan Roberts & Diane Thomas (Royal Navy/Pilkington)
5th John Berry & Dave Jones (Etherow)
6th Anna Hampson & Rob Lea (Pilkington)
7th Malcolm Armstrong & Ed Rees (Pilkington)
8th Stan Barton & Sue Barton (Pilkington)