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Enterprise Match Racing World Campionships at Etherow CPSC 2009
 Enterprise World Match Racing Championships (Unofficial)Etherow Country Park Sailing Club 22 November 2009 As we arrived at Etherow CPSC, the weather was warm, windy, dry and very shifty. Tony (Tiger) Woods was Judge and Jury for the Match Racing, giving the briefing himself. A glass of sherry was given to the competitors to lighten their mood before the racing began. Sailing in the competition were sailors from all around the North West, including Burwain, WLYC, Winsford and plenty of home boats. We had three qualifying groups enabling half of the sailors to reach the quarterfinals, with each team being a different country, as it was the World Championships. The course was to the windward mark and back, meaning that the racing became very close and competitive within all groups. Everyone sailed 2 races before stopping for lunch, where chilli and rice was the dish of the day, with various desserts. As the racing continued, a few unhappy sailors missed out on the chance to compete in the quarterfinals. However, Karen Morris & Lisa Woods, Tim & Jackie Finch, Mike Birch and Charlie Berry, Ed Thomas & Diane Blackburn, Steve Blackburn & Izzy sowley, Innes Armstrong & Andrew and Alison Payne and Kev Law all made it through. Innes Armstrong & Andrew (Iran), Steve Blackburn & Izzy Sowley (Iceland), Ed Thomas & Diane Blackburn (Pakistan) and Mike Birch & Charlie Berry (Bolivia) all made it through to the Semi finals after another stretch of extremely competitive sailing. Ed & Diane (Pakistan) & Steve & Izzy (Iceland) raced first, with both pairs sailing aggressively in order to gain the advantage or score penalties against the other. Steve managed to call starboard seconds before the start, enabling him to gain the better start. Ed managed to narrow the gap between the two boats, but Steve secured his victory, making his way to the final. Innes & Andrew (Iran) & Mike & Charlie (Bolivia) engaged in battle before the start and tried tirelessly to outwit one another. Innes had the better start and never looked back as he scored his place in the final. Mike (Bolivia) & Ed (Pakistan) sailed the next race for 3rd and 4th positions. Again, games were played before the start, with Ed catching a huge gust, enabling Mike to gain the advantage at the beginning. Mike finished 3rd with Ed in 4th place, as he didn’t quite manage to narrow the gap between them. It was now time for the final, with Steve (Iceland) Vs Innes (Iran). Each sailor was hoping to catch the other out in order to secure the better start. Innes managed to hold the pin, forcing Steve to remain leeward. Whilst on the beat, both boats remained within a boat length of each other as the windward mark grew closer. An unpredictable header hit Steve, enabling Innes to create a gap. The gap grew on the downwind leg as Innes got the better windshifts. Back on the beat, Innes seemed victorious even before Steve was hit by an almighty gust from apparently nowhere. Steve performed an entertaining capsize, the 2nd of the day, causing Innes & Andrew (Iran) to win the Enterprise Match racing World Championships for the second time in two years, each time representing a different country. Positions: 1st Innes Armstrong & Andrew (Iran) (Burwain) 2nd Steve Blackburn & Izzy Sowley (Iceland) (WLYC/Pilkington/Winsford Flash) 3rd Mike Birch & Charlie Berry (Bolivia) (WLYC) 4th Ed Thomas & Diane Blackburn (Pakistan) (WLYC/Pilkington) A huge thanks to everyone at Etherow CPSC who helped make the event the success that it was. By Steve Blackburn and Izzy Sowley. |
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