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Bright sunshine and a strong, but a not impossible, blustery SW wind greeted competitors who had defied the extreme weather forecast to attend Chester’s Enterprise Open Meeting. It wasn’t the basic wind strength that caused problems, but the unpredictable and violent gusts sweeping across The Meadows.

In the first race Wally and Lesley Riley lead around the windward mark and got away from a group of six boats jostling for position on the short run. Chester juniors Lewis Kneale and Alex Dromgoole got away from the bunch, and gradually chipped away at Wally’s large lead, eventually taking, and holding first place on the last lap despite severe pressure right up to the line.

Fortified by a lunch of home made soup and wonderful fruit tarts and crumbles, the competitors set off for the second race little knowing what they were in for. The wind gradually increased, until as the storm passed over it became survival conditions on the last lap. Wally and Lesley put in another strong performance winning from the fast finishing Paul Young and Megan Ward (Midland) with Alison Payne and Kevin Law (Toddbrook) in 3rd.

Going into the final race any one of three boats could have won the meeting. It looked as though Paul and Megan would triumph, but they capsized near the top mark after leading for several laps. Alison and Kevin powered through to take the race with Lewis and Alex 2nd and Mark Nield and Amy Spreyer 3rd. Gaining second place in the final race gave the club juniors Lewis Kneale and Alex Dromgoole the Greenall Whitley Trophy. Wally and Lesley Riley were second, Alison Payne and Kevin Law secured 3rd overall.

Overall Results:

Pos Sail No Helm Crew Club R1 R2 R3
1st 22400 Lewis Kneale Alex Dromgoole Chester 1 (DNF) 2
2nd 23137 Wally Riley Lesley Riley Chester 2 1 (DNF)
3rd 21318 Alison Payne Kevin Law Toddbrook -5 3 1
4th 22901 Paul Young Megan Ward Midland 3 2 -5
5th 22660 Bill Broughall Fay Newman Chester -4 4 4


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