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Pilkington SC Enterprise Open Meeting 2009
 Pilkington Sailing Club Enterprise Open Meeting16th May 2009, wet windy and overcast greeted sailors to Eccleston near St Helens. Breakfast was being served which was great nourishment for the sailors which where to encounter on very tough racing. The OD of the day Bill Rhodes at the grand age of 82 briefed all the sailors before the race. 9 boats soon launched their boats. The turn out was very low due to the strength of the wind with some gusts around 30mph averaging out from 15 – 20 mph. Race 1 was a beat up the first buoy then another small beat. Onto a reach with a gybe. A run with the chance of a capsize, gybing for a broad reach again gybing for a reach and back onto the beat. The course stayed the same for all three races. Mark Dingsdale & Claire Gerrard (Pilkington) had a flying start with Alan Roberts and Rob Lee (Pilkington) unfortunatly they both sailed the wrong course and Royston Taggart and Diane Roberts (Pilkington) took full advantage. Tim & Jackie Finch (Chester), with Alan pushed to third. Royston came to the dreaded gybe and capsized letting Tim and Alan through. After a few laps Alan’s boat speed quickly caught and overtook Tim to win the race. Tim held onto 2nd and Mark reactivated his mistake to finish 3rd. Break time was well deserved and Hotpot, vegetables and Apple pie and custard were the favourite dish. Usually at Eccleston Mere, an idyllic oasis with herons, dragonflies and 20 lb. carp jumping through the water. Hearing lions roaring from the Safari park 1 mile from the road. The only thing was roaring was the wind for race 2 and the odd competitor. Again Mark led from the gun but could hold onto his lead. Many sailors were struggling with the conditions. Alan came to lead the race but capsized, also Mark capsized with many other sailors. This time Royston led with Chris Smith and Martin Rusk (Pilkington) in 2nd. 3rd well, many sailors held third Tim for a while. Alan emptied the water from the Enter Box and over took all and even caught Royston up, By far the fastest sailor of the event. Royston finished 1st, Alan 2nd and Chris 3rd. It was all to play for in the last race; Royston & Alan both having a 1st each need win to secure Open. Again Alan & Roy started well both 1st & 2nd. Mark crewed by Steve Blackburn held 3rd for the 1st lap. Mark soon used his extra boat speed to full effect and left all the competitors by a huge margin. This changed things and Alan only needed to finish above 4th to win the open. Roy & Alan were inseparable. A strange shift hit Alan and he capsized. Alan back in 6th place was out of the running. Suddenly a squall came through and capsizes took place and Alan finish 5th. With Roy 2nd and Mark 1st It was a tie Roy and Alan on the same points and discard. Roy won on the last race to carry rule. But I’m sure they would be happy to share the cup. Results: 1st Royston Taggart & Diane Roberts (Pilkington) 3pts 2nd Alan Roberts & Rob Lee (Pilkington) 3pt 3rd Mark Dingsdale & Claire Gerrard (Steve Blackburn Sub) (Pilkington) 4pts 4th Chris Smith & Martin Rusk (Pilkington) 6pts 5th Tim & Jackie Finch (Chester) 7pts 6th Paul Shepherd & Steve Bristow (Pilkington) 8pts 7th Trevor Fillingham & Karen Waine (Pilkington) 19pts 8th Richard Critchley & Helen (Pilkington) 19pts 9th Paul & George Graham (Burwain) |
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