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Southport SC Enterprise Open Meeting 2009
 Force 11 gusts hit fleetDespite the dire weather forecast 15 boats arrived for the November plate at Southport. The predictions were for 20mph winds in the morning, but rising to 30mph by mid afternoon. So two back to back races were planned. Some decided not to sail as the by the start the SE wind was blowing a steady 25mph with gusts of 35mph. All managed the conditions well apart from the odd capsize and recovery, but on the fourth lap the wind changed direction and blasted the fleet with a 66mph gust (Force 11) and didn’t abate. All capsized. Some managed to keep the boat flatish, but the gale lifted the bow and they sank gracefully by the stern. The result, who cares? No one finished. But most importantly no one was injured. All eventually managed to get back safely to shore on one side of the lake or another with themselves and their boats intact. Some managed it on their own others with the help of rescue boats from both Southport SC and West Lancs YC. By Tim Finch November Plate 1 November 2009 As many arrived at the prestigious November plate at Marine Lake the weather was rainy and blustery wind from the north east moving to south as day went on. Competitors ate plenty of Bacon Butties for extra energy as we all prepared for the last North West Top Helm Series Sponsored by Speed Sails. Many rigged their boats under extreme conditions. As we arrived to the start the wind was gusting a force 6. Steve Blackburn & Nick Hampson (Pilkington / WLYC) created 1st place after the start as the Jonathon Woodward and Alex Halliwell (Redditch / WLYC) came through to hold Second with Tim Finch and Mark Dingsdale (Chester / Pilkington) in third. The gusty wind was causing problems even capsizes at the start. By lap 2 Tim & Mark had overtaken Jonathon and Alex. Tim and Mark unfortunately capsized on lap three letting Jonathon and Alex through they also soon caught Steve and over took to take the lead. On the final run on full plane the wind swung and a gale blew one by one the competitors capsized. Jonathon and Steve were one of the final competitors to capsize. The wind was so severe many boats were blown on to the concrete. One by one Southport SC rescued the sailors and their boats. Only one mast was bent and a little scrape to another. The event was unfortunately abandoned, as the weather was just too severe to be sailed. A big thank you to Southport SC for all their help in supplying warm drinks, food and plenty off help. Congratulations to Steve Blackburn crewed by Nick Hampson & Royston Taggart (Pilkington / WLYC for winning the Top Helm Series with 5 Pts. 2nd Tony Woods and Charlie Berry (Etherow) 9 Pts 3rd Karen Morris & Lisa Woods (Etherow) 19pts, Their first year in the Gold Fleet. 4th Charlie Adams & Oliver Hilliker (WLYC) 20pts 5th Alison Payne & Kev Law (Toddbrook) 22Pts By Steve Blackburn |
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