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Events

Merlin Rocket Silver Tiller – Wembley Sailing Club

October 1, 2012 by superuser Leave a Comment

Craftinsure Merlin Rocket Silver Tiller Report- Wembley Sailing Club 23/09/12

Sunday 23rd September saw 21 Merlin Rockets assemble at Wembley Sailing Club for the 2012 Merlin Rocket Silver Tiller Open Meeting sponsored by Craftinsure. It has been fifty years since Wembley Sailing Club (situated on the Welsh Harp Reservoir) hosted its first Silver Tiller Open and this particular event proved to be quite a memorable anniversary!

Race 1 began in a gusty F2 as the skies opened and the rain poured, which built up to F3 gusts that caught some out and caused a few capsizes! Dave Winder & Pippa Taylor made the early running opening up a lead from John Turner & Richard Parslow in second and this is how it remained to the finish with Matt Biggs & John Hackett finishing third.

Race 2 was away at the second attempt but now under black flag and Dave Winder and Pippa Taylor immediately led. The wind had died by now to a F1 and with the accompanying heavy showers it seemed unlikely that the forecast F3 with F6 gusts was going to materialise. The race for second was much closer with any one of Matt Biggs & John Hackett, Paul Hollis & Ben Hendon, Duncan & Harriet Salmon and John Turner & Richard Parslow being in contention the whole way round the course. Towards the end of the race and with the wind starting to build, Winder & Taylor consolidated their lead to take the win with Hollis & Hendon second, Biggs & Hackett third, Turner & Parslow fourth, and Duncan & Harriet Salmon finishing fifth.

During the gap to the start of the third race, the wind continued to increase and the fleet were now presented with a F3 gusting up to F6 and yet more rain. These conditions were going to cause even the very best to go for a swim and so it proved! Andy Davis & Tom Pygall revelling in the extreme conditions led all the way from just after the start. Matt Biggs & Ben Hendon were an early capsize casualty on lap 1, but then managed to recover and sail through the fleet to take a fine second place whilst avoiding the many capsized boats caught out by the sledgehammer like gusts. Jon Gorringe & Nicki Bass also enjoyed the trickier conditions to finish third. Jon Turner & Richard Parslow meanwhile had succumbed to a huge gust and wind shift at the gybe mark and wiped out at very high speed! Duncan & Harriet Salmon arriving shortly afterwards and finding Turner & Parslow capsized right in their path had nowhere to go and heroically pressed the capsize button in an effort to save both boats from destruction. Now with yet another boat joining the mix, a three way raft ensured some unfortunate rigging damage and three inevitable retirements. Elsewhere in the fleet a broken mast and a full on pitch pole were the casualties as the gusts became ever stronger right up until the final lap when a passing squall made it supremely difficult for those stalwart crews still sailing.

The fleet tired but in true Merlin rocket tradition – unbeaten – then retired to the clubhouse for a very welcome meal of hot chilli & potatoes followed by prize giving, with prizes generously donated by Rooster Sailing. Dave Winder & Pippa Taylor won overall honours from Matt Biggs and John Hackett second, Paul Hollis and Ben Hendon were third, Jon Turner & Richard Parslow finished fourth and retained the Century Cup trophy for the first helm and crew with a combined age of over 100 years old! Elsewhere, Alan & Alice Markham won the prize for the first boat over 10 years old.

Report & Results by Paul Dean

WEMBLEY SC Silver Tiller results 23 09 12

Photographs by kind permission of John McKelvie

Filed Under: Events, News Tagged With: merlin rocket, Silver Tiller

The Merlin Rocket Inland Championship 2012

September 19, 2012 by superuser Leave a Comment

The Merlin Rocket Inland Championships, sponsored by Nautilus Yachting, descended upon Blithfield SC over the 15th/16th September. 56 boats attended making the trip to the large Staffordshire water.

As is often the case when big events come round it was very much a “It’s not normally like this here” weekend, and while the weather in general was very nice the breeze was fickle in direction and while never a drifter variable in strength. It was certainly not a good weekend to be in the committee boat!

The first start of race 1 was a taste of things to come, a 30 degree shift to the left made the pin end unlayable with 30 seconds to go and led inevitably to a general recall. The restart under black flag claimed a number of victims, some prominent home club sailors finding membership was no guarantee of diplomatic immunity! Richard Whitworth and Sarah Bines led at the windward mark and built up a large lead taking the bullet, Jon Gorringe and Toby Lewis came in second with home couple Steve and Gill “We always do rubbish at Blithfield” Leney taking third.

The second race was started under black flag, with a slight pin bias to tempt the fleet away from the committee boat. This race was serious snakes and ladders, with massive gains to be made if you found the right patch of breeze and just as easily lost if you were a few feet outside the gust. Rich Adams and Chris Gould from Midland SC took the bullet in this race, Jon and Toby proving consistant with another second and Matt Biggs and Ben Hollis third.

By race three, the wind had built slightly to about force three with the odd lump in it, but any thought of this being a steadying influence was put to bed 30 seconds before the start when a huge shift, this time right, really set the cat amongst the pigeons on the line. Chris Martin and Tom Dunne made a perfect, if somewhat fortuitous, start right on the committee boat and led at the first mark where knot failure set in. In the process of sorting things out a small group of following boats assumed they were sailing the course – oops! Matt Biggs and Ben Hollis took over the lead at the second mark but had to settle for second as the charging Richard/Sarah took their third win placing one hand on the trophy overnight. Dave Hayes and Johnny Ratcliffe came in third.

It’s well known that the Merlin fraternity like a good party, and the state of the clubs bar stock on Sunday morning was testament too this with two empty lager barrels and three empty casks of real ale. a pig roast, jazz band and bar diving kept the fleet entertained until the early hours and Steve Leney’s morning hoovering of the clubhouse floor must have seemed like a very early start to those asleep on it!

The breeze was slightly stronger than the previous day but though things looked promising at first, it turned out to be no steadier. Richard and Sarah were again flying and took the bullet with Andy Davies and Tom Pygall coming in close behind and Nick Craig and James Stewart third.

Their win in the previous race ended the rush for first place, but there were four boats in with a shout at second. Nick Craig and James Stewart led the fourth race from start to finish, the consistent team of Jon and Toby came in second taking second place  overall and Taxi and Tom coming in third placing them third overall.

Thanks go to everyone who helped organise the event, Nautilus for sponsoring the prizes, and especially PRO Jim Woodward and his team for an excellent job in very trying conditions.


Merlin Rocket Inland Chamoionship 2012
15-16th September

Pos Sail Club Helm Crew R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 Pts  
1 3703 Parkstone Richard Whitworth Sarah Bines 1.0 4.0 1.0 1.0 14.0 7.0
2 3712 Parkstone Jon Gorringe Toby Lewis 2.0 2.0 7.0 2.0 22.0 13.0
3 3684 Blithfield Andy Davis Tom Pygall 4.0 5.0 2.0 3.0 24.0 14.0
4 3722 Blithfield Matt Biggs Ben Hollis 3.0 2.0 5.0 8.0 75.0 18.0
5 3734 Hayling Island David Hayes Johnny Ratcliffe 8.0 12.0 3.0 5.0 43.0 28.0
6 3675 Frensham Pond Nick Craig James Stewart 10.0 16.0 3.0 1.0 50.0 30.0
7 3716 Blithfield Steve Leney Gill Leney 3.0 6.0 7.0 14.0 46.0 30.0
8 3735 Hollingworth David Winder Pippa Taylor 13.0 5.0 8.0 4.0 47.0 30.0
9 3676 Ranelagh Frances Gifford Chrsi Downham 9.0 16.0 4.0 6.0 53.0 35.0
10 3658 Burghfield Chris Jennings Chris Martin 10.0 17.0 4.0 6.0 61.0 37.0
11 3708 Notts County Tom Jeffcote Penny Jeffcoate 5.0 8.0 16.0 10.0 59.0 39.0
12 3732 Northampton David Wade Ben Rayner 15.0 11.0 9.0 9.0 63.0 44.0
13 3733 Ranelagh Jon Ibbotson Oli Wells 7.0 13.0 17.0 14.0 77.0 51.0
14 3656 Starcross Olly Turner Alex Warren 6.0 19.0 20.0 13.0 79.0 58.0
15 3702 Wembley Duncan Salmon Harriet Salmon 17.0 14.0 6.0 22.0 83.0 59.0
16 3740 Cookham Reach Pat Blake Jill Blake 12.0 9.0 24.0 18.0 90.0 63.0
17 3688 Lyme Regis Dan Alsop Sophie Mackley 23.0 13.0 12.0 15.0 120.0 63.0
18 3729 Lyme Regis Jon Turner Richard Parslow 18.0 27.0 11.0 12.0 125.0 68.0
19 3685 Shoreham William Warren Chris Robinson 21.0 15.0 10.0 25.0 96.0 71.0
20 3627 Brightlingsea Dan Willett Pete Nicholson 19.0 33.0 14.0 13.0 113.0 79.0
21 3696 Shoreham Alan Warren William Carroll 8.0 20.0 24.0 28.0 110.0 80.0
22 3671 Brightlingsea Piers Lambert Andy Bines 29.0 18.0 23.0 11.0 117.0 81.0
23 3659 Hollingworth Julian Parry Ben Hendon 16.0 25.0 22.0 19.0 139.0 82.0
24 3690 H.S.C. Andy Dalby Andrea Ralph 26.0 7.0 25.0 30.0 119.0 88.0
25 3730 Blithfield Paul Hollis James Dawes 28.0 22.0 21.0 17.0 145.0 88.0
26 3731 Parkstone Andy Jones Maddie Jones 23.0 21.0 23.0 21.0 120.0 88.0
27 3650 Midland Rich Adams Chris Gould 18.0 1.0 15.0 57.0 DNC 148.0 91.0
28 3583 Blithfield Chris Martin Tom Dunne 32.0 11.0 28.0 26.0 154.0 97.0
29 3339 Blithfield Tim Male Rebecca Male 11.0 27.0 30.0 37.0 145.0 105.0
30 3641 Parkstone Mark Waterhouse Nicki Bass 14.0 30.0 35.0 32.0 156.0 111.0
31 3573   Simon Bond Anna Bond 29.0 38.0 26.0 19.0 154.0 112.0
32 3618 Bewl Valley Andy Kerr Gareth Hall 34.0 28.0 33.0 20.0 153.0 115.0
33 3643 Hampton Tim Harridge Bug Harridge 37.0 33.0 27.0 23.0 165.0 120.0
34 3663 Blackpool and Fleetwood Chris Haworth Jo Harvey 22.0 32.0 36.0 31.0 157.0 121.0
35 3683 Lymington Tony Johnson Louise Johnson 35.0 35.0 31.0 22.0 166.0 123.0
36 3705 Blithfield Geoff Wright Katie Wright 24.0 36.0 29.0 35.0 163.0 124.0
37 3510 Rudyard Lake Mike Raine Janey Hill 25.0 31.0 34.0 35.0 182.0 125.0
38 3710 Hayling Island John Rees Mari Shepherd 39.0 26.0 34.0 29.0 170.0 128.0
39 3644 Blithfield Steve Hendon Lizzie Hendon 31.0 38.0 12.0 57.0 DNC 195.0 138.0
40 3442 Ranelagh Mark Stockbridge Matt Greenfield 44.0 37.0 30.0 33.0 191.0 144.0
41 3634 Parkstone Ben Archer Hugo Pullen 33.0 41.0 37.0 36.0 188.0 147.0
42 3547 Blithfield Peter Male Christine Male 27.0 40.0 43.0 38.0 195.0 148.0
43 3402 Midland Rob Kennaugh Abi Spurr 37.0 28.0 29.0 57.0 DNC 208.0 151.0
44 3508 Redditch Colin Anderson Sean Anderson 34.0 40.0 39.0 41.0 199.0 154.0
45 3674 Midland Mike Anslow Jayden Wood 32.0 47.0 45.0 38.0 219.0 162.0
46 2997 Fishers Green Richard Coulter Christian Hill 46.0 43.0 41.0 39.0 217.0 169.0
47 3662 Chelmarsh Mike Whitehouse Karen Whitehouse 40.0 50.0 39.0 44.0 230.0 173.0
48 3597 Blackpool and Fleetwood Peter Jackson Andy 43.0 46.0 46.0 40.0 232.0 175.0
49 3567 Blithfield Martin Smith Karen Beston 44.0 49.0 42.0 42.0 226.0 177.0
50 3582 Midland Malcolm Hyams Yasmin Ghani 42.0 48.0 50.0 46.0 243.0 186.0
51 3610 Midland Ian Smith Matt Smith 41.0 51.0 44.0 57.0 DNC 250.0 193.0
52 3541 Blithfield Norman Price Mat Hartley 50.0 52.0 48.0 43.0 246.0 193.0
53 3548 Blithfield Kieron Mason George Mason 49.0 57.0 DNC 50.0 44.0 257.0 200.0
54 3555 Blithfield Ian MacKenzie Angela MacKenzie 48.0 53.0 52.0 47.0 257.0 200.0
55 3680 Midland Steve Watson Luke Tucker 57.0 DNC 51.0 49.0 57.0 DNC 271.0 214.0
56 3565 Blithfield Paul Keeling Michelle Keeling 57.0 DNF 57.0 DNC 57.0 DNC 57.0 DNC 285.0 228.0

5 races, 4 to count.

 

Filed Under: Events, News Tagged With: merlin rocket

Merlin Salcombe Week

July 6, 2012 by superuser Leave a Comment

The 55th running of the ever popular Salcombe Merlin Week is nearly upon us. The entry is full and 100 teams will be making the annual pilgrimage to this most beautiful and complex of sailing venues. As always, the racing fleet numbers will be boosted by many friends, family and retired Merlin sailors who come down for the socials and to follow the racing. The armada of spectator boats that follow the racing around the estuary is a unique and fun part of the Salcombe experience.

Long range forecasts suggest the current breezy conditions will continue so the spectators should be in for a lot of fun, particularly at the notorious gybe point off the Ferry Inn where spectacular dismounts are guaranteed.

The fleet will be racing in flights so that everyone gets three morning and three afternoon races in the round robin format. With every place effectively counting double, competition will be high throughout the fleet. Getting off the start line with 50 boats at low water can be a challenge for even the most experienced, with OCS’s a constant danger. The race track then provides one of the most complex tests of tidal variances, shifty winds full of gusts and holes, more tacking and gybing than you get in the rest of the season and a constant challenge to your emotional stability and mental health. It is no wonder that alcohol consumption is at peak levels as sailors try to make sense of what they have been through.

As for the runners and riders, 2010 and 2011 winners, Simon Blake and Alex Jackson, will be back for their hat-trick but will be using their brand new Jo Richards design for the first time so no-one knows quite what to expect. Past winners Willie Warren, Andy Davis, Dave Winder, Mike Calvert and John Turner will all be in contention while Tom Stewart and Jon Gorringe will both be amongst the bookies favourites. Add in a large cast of champion sailors from other fleets who have been developing their Merlin skills in recent years and it will be certain to be a highly competitive week which will go down to the wire.

What is certain is that the sun will shine, there will be lots of laughs and the sponsors Doom Bar will be consumed in high volume.

 

Preview provided byTim Fells, MROA

Filed Under: Events, News Tagged With: merlin rocket, salcombe

Craftinsure Silver tiller report (from a very windy Whitstable) 23rd – 24th June

June 26, 2012 by superuser Leave a Comment

With 45 knots of breeze blowing across Whitstable Bay on the Friday and with more to come forecast, it wasn’t surprising there was a reduced entry of 24 boats for Whitstable Yacht Club’s annual Silver Tiller meeting over the weekend of 23 – 24 June.

Despite having to run the racing from a RIB, following the sad loss of the club committee boat in a storm, Jon Silk and his race team were determined to get two races in on Saturday. A rather nervous fleet launched into a solid Force 5, gusting 6. With Salcombe Week only two weeks away boat and body damage was to be avoided and several crews elected to stay ashore.

Andy Dalby takes up the story and tells it from his point of view:

“RACE 1
–          Dave Hayes forgot his mainsail so went back to get it! Some people will go to amazing lengths for a 3DL. (new technology sail – Ed)
–          Tough to work out which way the wind was going to veer. The fleet were initially driven left which didn’t pay. Unusually at Whitstable, those that went right gained but playing the shifts seemed to be the key. Andy “Taxi” Davis rounded first followed by Tom Stewart and then us. Judith Massey was in the mix with Will Rainey and Dave Winder. The first reach was tight with the tide – not all could hold kites.
–          There was significant carnage at the first and subsequently every gybe mark – the chop made gybing difficult as the main was powered up through the gybe!
–          On the second reach Taxi had spinnaker problems and dropped places. Tom Stewart lost it and spun out for a big swim but we (Andy & Phil Dalby) managed to keep it together to the end of the race to take the win. Sailing deep on the runs with the tide was advantageous.

In between races
–          Dave Hayes arrives with main sail.
–           I (Andy Dalby) fell out of the boat – long swim trying to get back in within the 5 minutes.

RACE 2
–          Off the start it paid off for those who went left out of the tide – but the wind was still shifting.
–          Tom Stewart rounded first – can’t remember the rest just concentrating on the blast down the reach and then…
–          Carnage at the gybe mark again – Casualties included Dave Hayes, Dave Winder and us.
–          Taxi’s main halyard failed on second beat.
–          Tom Stewart pulled out a comfortable lead with William Warren, Will Rainey and Judith Massey in pursuit.
–          Dave Winder and the Dalby’s recover to pull back into the race crossing each other up the final beat. Dave Winder does very well to get up into 3rd with a snapped and trailing spinnaker pole.

–          On final run Will Rainey has spinnaker issues which allow the Dalby’s through to fourth.”

One competitor summed up conditions succinctly –”chuffing windy”. Most people had at least one swim and the relatively light damage (one spreader bracket, one spinnaker pole, a deck sheave and lots of burgees) speaks volumes for the robust construction of the modern Merlin and its rig.

Sunday morning dawned with more of the same and a postponement was signaled. However with over 30 knots being recorded on the harbour wall racing was called off for the day. So the winners of the Holden Cup for the Craftinsure Whitstable Silver Tiller were Andy and Phil Dalby, their first ever Silver Tiller win. Dave Winder and Pippa Taylor were second overall with William Warren and Chris Robinson third.

The “Man of the Match” award must go to Joe Tosh, aged just 13 years and a day who, crewing for dad in “Cool Cookie”, completed both races. Well done Joe!

Full results can be seen at www.wyc.org.uk

Photo: shows Andy and Phil Dalby with the real Dalby sisters and the Holden Cup.

Report and photograph by: John Cooper

Download results Whitstable Silver tiller results 23rd- 24th June

Filed Under: Events, News

Parkstone Y.C. Craftinsure Merlin Rocket Silver Tiller events – 9 th /10 th June 2012.

June 21, 2012 by superuser Leave a Comment

Day One Saturday 9 th June – Silver Tiller – The Sea event

27 boats lined up on the shore for what turned out to be a very “breezy” sail around the Olympic style triangle/sausage course set for Saturday just outside the confines of Poole Harbour into Poole Bay. With an eventual 16 only finishers this was definitely not a day for the frail or faint hearted!

With over 25 knots of wind being recorded inside the harbour the fleet proceeded to sail out towards the entrance whereupon emerging into the lumpy seas of Poole Bay the wind increased further to a good force 6. Challenging conditions indeed – even for highly experienced Merlin rocket crews!

Race 1 and with the boats cleanly away the fleet proceeded to split into two groups, some going inshore and others taking the offshore route. It seemed that the inshore Merlin’s had a slight advantage with David Hayes reaching the windward mark first followed by “Taxi” Davies and Jon Gorringe. A screamingly fast two sail reach down to the gybe mark followed (too lumpy and too windy to hoist kites) – and as the brakes went on many boats capsized trying to clear the mark. Quite a few elected to wear round in order to avoid the gybe but still capsized as the combination of the wind and sea state got the better of them. Those that took a deep breath and successfully managed the inevitable instantly took 100 metres out of crews that struggled or wore round. Taxi and Jon with extremely skillful sailing both sailed through to be the leading pair and held these positions until the leeward mark when Taxi capsized allowing Jon to take a well-deserved win. Richard Whitworth sniggled his way through to grab third and David Hayes slid down to 7 th .

Overall a lot of retirements from race 1 some with damaged boats, one with a broken mast and a few crews who, ‘just didn’t fancy it’!

Race 2 and with the retirements from the first race leaving only 16 boats to contest the start, the race officer again had the fleet away on the first gun. Taxi led at the windward mark and held off Jon Gorringe’s persistent challenges until the last gybe mark where he again capsized allowing Jon through for his second win of the day! Andy & Phil Dalby were charging and took an impressive third place.

Race 3 – A general recall! It had to come. With the competitors now down to 12 starters and with plenty of room on the line they were however cleanly away the second time. Jon Gorringe out of the trap quicker than anyone expected led the fleet although closely pursued all the way by Taxi. An excellent demonstration of boat speed and handling allowed Taxi very ably crewed by Ellie Bremner to catch right up with Jon who was equally well crewed by “Tobytastic” Lewis. From the final gybe mark to the finish a fantastic tacking duel took place but Taxi couldn’t quite get past the Goringe Lewis combo who won by a margin of less than a Merlins length!. Only 11 boats finished race 3.

In extreme and difficult conditions a sincere ‘well done’ has to go to all the rescue boats who were kept very busy throughout the days activities and who did a sterling job in high winds and rough seas!

Nevertheless there were some weary sailors in the bar that evening recovering their strength with a few pints and a very good curry knocked up by the excellent Parkstone kitchen. Not that anyone needed more wind!

Day 2 –Sunday 10 th June – Silver Tiller – The open water event.

The forecast was for an easterly F3-4 with rain and it was right ! The event was held inside the harbour and the race team decided to abandon the traditional triangle, sausage course and use the harbour race marks .Have a tour of the harbour while you’re racing and why not? . With a lead boat showing the leaders the way there were no excuses to get it wrong!

Race one and the Merlin’s were away without any dramas. The fleet split with about 70% going left into the main channel and the remainder going right towards Brownsea Island. The right side of the course paid because the tide was flooding and saw Richard Whitworth round first by a good margin. With Taxi followed by David Hayes leading the charge behind it was a close, but fast, two sail reach down to the next mark. Jon Gorringe seemed to create his own wind (maybe it was the curry) and sped from about 8 th to 3 rd on this leg to be right on Taxi’s transom at the mark. Richard Whitworth continued to pull away only to round the leeward buoy the wrong way. Upon realizing the error he returned to round again but couldn’t quite make it in time before Jon, followed by Taxi, had gone through ahead leaving Richard to take a frustrating third!

Race 2 a bit of a change with the windward leeward course having a 3 mile run towards Wareham and about a 2.5 mile beat back to the finish.

Again the fleet split left and right but this time all converged pretty much at the same time for the windward mark.

Lots of place changing downwind as the boats pretty much sailed in one group apart from Taxi who had eked out a bit of a lead followed by David Hayes and then Ben & Roz Mcgrane in their new boat, “Dory”. This was how they finished with Jon Gorringe managing to get back to fifth behind Richard Whitworth after being caught in the pack.

Race 3 had a general recall. Well you can’t have a silver tiller without at least one or two general recalls! Away second time but, unfortunately, Taxi was black flagged and went back for an early shower. With a similar but slightly shorter course to race 1, the wind shifted left giving those that had gone to the main shipping channel side of the course the advantage. Jon Gorringe covered the fleet from this position, but it was Ben and Roz McGrane showing some good speed who led most of the way around until the final few hundred metres where a puff of wind aided those that had gone close to Brownsea Island. Whilst Ben & Roz stood off the island to avoid the wind shadow the Brownsea Islanders snuck through ahead of them relegating their tremendous effort to 5 th . Unsurprisingly given his success so far It was Jon Gorringe who came out on top again with Steve & Gill Leney coming through to take second and David Hayes picking up third.

So overall winner of the weekend was Jon Gorringe who having won both Silver Tiller events made the organization of the prize giving nice and easy!

A special ‘endeavor’ prize was introduced for the boat that completed all 6 races but had the lowest overall finishing position. This deservedly went to Chris Jennings and Liese Scott who finished 10 th overall.

A big thank you to HD sails and Creation Covers who both donated prizes for the event and also to our series sponsor Craftinsure…

Thanks to Parkstone Yacht club and thanks too to Barry Rolfe, the PRO, who made it all happen on the water with some great courses around the harbour.

Report by Mark Waterhouse

Results by David Bursey

Parkstone overall silver tiller results

 

Filed Under: Events, News

Brightlingsea Craftinsure Merlin Open and Silver tiller event 19th 20th May 2012

May 25, 2012 by superuser Leave a Comment

Brightlingsea S C

Saturday 19th dawned bright and clear, the first sun for a few weeks! Sharing the weekend with Fireballs, GP14’s and Hornets the Merlin Rockets joined in the fantastic sight of 70 boats leaving the club for the race area in the Colne. With a gentle force 1-2 southerly greeting the 20 Merlins race officer Phil Rust and his team set the course and with the tide just starting to ebb had the first race away on time and, without a general recall (rare for the eager Merlin fleet!). With several shifts up the first beat keeping the fleet guessing Andy “Taxi” Davies and Tom Pygall (national champions) rounded first with a chasing pack including Dave Winder, Jon Ibbottson, local Dan Willett, and legend Jon Turner in hot pursuit. Due to the light winds and ebbing tide the reaches ended up being fairly broad and those going high (including Turner trying to defend) lost out heavily running into the gybe mark. The tidal gate then spread the fleet on the next beat and places stayed much the same until the finish, ending with Taxi followed by Dave Winder and Jon Ibbotson

Second race again started first time, with fickle shifts up the first beat and the few opting for less tide lost to those heading into the stronger stream. At the top mark Nick Craig lead, with Willett, Ibbotson and Will Rainey in close company. Downwind Craig lost out letting Ibbotson go through to take the lead and the race win with Willett second and Craig holding onto third.

Everyone headed back to the shore and a great welcome from the home club, especially in the form of curry/bolognese washed down with a few “bevvies!” Evening entertainment followed with live action from the Champions League final not to mention James Stewart (Nick Craig’s crew and Chelsea stalwart) amusing others with his celebrations!

Sunday started with a fresher F 3-4 breeze from the north. With Sunday being the actual Silver Tiller event two more boats brought the fleet numbers to 22.

Again, away first time, the third race had a number of boats swapping the lead, with the combination of course layout and breeze making for tighter planing reaches – putting grins on many faces! At the finish Taxi lead from Nick Craig and Will Rainey.

The wind dropped slightly for the fourth race and again most of the fleet headed right into the slackening tide. Dave Winder and local Dave Charlton crewed by Ozzie (his first crewing for many years) both hit the left corner of the course, got the ideal shift and came in to the top mark in first and second. In close pursuit were Taxi, Ibbotson and Jon Turner although a swim at the bottom mark unfortunately dropped Turner from the leaders! Tactics changed as the tide turned and the left hand side of the course became the favoured option, with Dave Winder extending his lead throughout the race for a comfortable win, ahead of Taxi, and Jon Ibbotson.

The final race started with the tide now ebbing fast and again a clean start – no recalls in a Merlin Rocket Open!!!! The pack headed left but with 20 degree shifts a lot of “snakes and ladders” occurred. Jon Gorringe and Toby Lewis headed the fleet with Nick Craig, Jon Ibbotson and Will Warren in close pursuit – a helpful gust stretching all four of them from the rest. With the top mark becoming an assault course as the Merlins lapped the tightly bunched GP14 fleet struggling with the tide, a swimming GP14 sailor must have been more than a little scared as the fleet bore off onto the run around him! Jon Gorringe enjoyed the sight of the shortened course flag after 3 laps, winning from Nick Craig and John Ibbotson.

Congratulations to the race team for running the 4 fleets really well with great courses throughout the weekend, and also to the organising, galley and bar teams who did tremendous work behind the scenes to make the whole event such a success.

With 4 separate winners from 5 races and 4th to 8th only split by 5 points the Craftinsure Merlin Rocket Silver Tiller fleet is showing its strength and depth, but the accolades this weekend must go to Taxi and Tom winning on the same points as Jon Ibbotson and Matt Gifford, courtesy of Taxi’s two wins. Nick Craig and James Stewart were third with Will Rainey and Sophie Mackley fourth.

Report and photographs by : Piers Lambert

Rank

Fleet

Boat

Class

Sail No

Club

Helm Name

Crew Name

Rating

R1

R2

R3

R4

R5

Total

Nett

1st MERLIN-ROCKET 3684 Blithfield SC A Davis T Pygiall 994 1.0 (7.0) 1.0 2.0 6.0 17.0 10.0
2nd MERLIN-ROCKET 3707 Ranelagh SC J Ibbotson M Gifford 994 3.0 1.0 (10.0) 3.0 3.0 20.0 10.0
3rd MERLIN-ROCKET 3675 N Craig J Stewart 994 (15.0) 3.0 2.0 7.0 2.0 29.0 14.0
4th MERLIN-ROCKET 3693 Shoreham SC W Rainey S Maculey 994 5.0 4.0 3.0 (10.0) 5.0 27.0 17.0
5th MERLIN-ROCKET 3735 Hollingsworth SC D Winder P Talyor 994 2.0 (9.0) 7.0 1.0 9.0 28.0 19.0
6th MERLIN-ROCKET 3627 Brightlingsea SC D Willett P Nicholson 994 4.0 2.0 (12.0) 6.0 8.0 32.0 20.0
7th MERLIN-ROCKET 3712 Parkstone YC J Gorringe T Lewis 994 7.0 (11.0) 8.0 5.0 1.0 32.0 21.0
8th MERLIN-ROCKET 3685 Shoreham SC W Warren C Robinson 994 6.0 8.0 4.0 (9.0) 4.0 31.0 22.0
9th MERLIN-ROCKET 3723 Blithfiled SC S Potts J Hacket 994 9.0 (14.0) 5.0 4.0 12.0 44.0 30.0
10th MERLIN-ROCKET 3729 Lyme Regis J Turner R Parslow 994 8.0 (13.0) 6.0 12.0 7.0 46.0 33.0
11th MERLIN-ROCKET 3722 Blithfield SC M Biggs B Hollis 994 10.0 5.0 9.0 14.0 (23.0 DNC) 61.0 38.0
12th MERLIN-ROCKET 3671 Brightlingsea SC P Lambert T Bees 994 12.0 10.0 (14.0) 8.0 11.0 55.0 41.0
13th MERLIN-ROCKET 3620 Brightlingsea SC A Bines S Bines 994 11.0 6.0 15.0 (16.0) 15.0 63.0 47.0
14th MERLIN-ROCKET 3730 Blithfield SC P Hollis J Dawes 994 (23.0 DNC) 23.0 DNC 11.0 11.0 10.0 78.0 55.0
15th MERLIN-ROCKET 3717 Brightlingsea SC D Charlton C Charlton 994 (16.0) 12.0 16.0 13.0 14.0 71.0 55.0
16th MERLIN-ROCKET 3731 Parkstone SC A Jones K Jackson 994 17.0 DPI (18.0 DPI) 13.0 15.0 13.0 76.0 58.0
17th MERLIN-ROCKET 3666 Brightlingsea SC C Jordan G Jordan 994 17.0 17.0 (18.0) 17.0 16.0 85.0 67.0
18th MERLIN-ROCKET 3634 Parkstone YC B Archer M Gray 994 (19.0) 16.0 19.0 19.0 17.0 90.0 71.0
19th MERLIN-ROCKET 3682 Fishers Green J Steward N Yannakoyorgus 994 18.0 (19.0) 17.0 18.0 18.0 90.0 71.0
20th MERLIN-ROCKET 3686 Brightlingsea SC P Aldridge M Barry 994 13.0 15.0 (23.0 DNC) 23.0 DNC 23.0 DNC 97.0 74.0
21st MERLIN-ROCKET 3716 Blithfield SC S Leney G Leney 994 14.0 18.0 (23.0 DNC) 23.0 DNC 23.0 DNC 101.0 78.0
22nd MERLIN-ROCKET 3688 Brightlingsea SC D Conlan E Gibbons 994 (23.0 DNC) 23.0 DNC 23.0 DNF 23.0 DNC 23.0 DNC 115.0 92.0

The Silver Tiller results from the Sunday only with 2 to count from the 3 races, changed the picture with Taxi and Tom first, Nick Craig and James second andJon Gorringe and Toby third.

Rank

Fleet

Boat

Class

SailNo

Club

HelmName

CrewName

Rating

R1

R2

R3

Total

Nett

1st MERLIN-ROCKET 3684 Blithfield SC A Davis T Pygiall 994 1.0 2.0 (6.0) 9.0 3.0
2nd MERLIN-ROCKET 3675 N Craig J Stewart 994 2.0 (7.0) 2.0 11.0 4.0
3rd MERLIN-ROCKET 3712 Parkstone YC J Gorringe T Lewis 994 (8.0) 5.0 1.0 14.0 6.0
4th MERLIN-ROCKET 3707 Ranelagh SC J Ibbotson M Gifford 994 (10.0) 3.0 3.0 16.0 6.0
5th MERLIN-ROCKET 3735 Hollingsworth SC D Winder P Talyor 994 7.0 1.0 (9.0) 17.0 8.0
6th MERLIN-ROCKET 3693 Shoreham SC W Rainey S Maculey 994 3.0 (10.0) 5.0 18.0 8.0
7th MERLIN-ROCKET 3685 Shoreham SC W Warren C Robinson 994 4.0 (9.0) 4.0 17.0 8.0
8th MERLIN-ROCKET 3723 Blithfiled SC S Potts J Hacket 994 5.0 4.0 (12.0) 21.0 9.0
9th MERLIN-ROCKET 3729 Lyme Regis J Turner R Parslow 994 6.0 (12.0) 7.0 25.0 13.0
10th MERLIN-ROCKET 3627 Brightlingsea SC D Willett P Nicholson 994 (12.0) 6.0 8.0 26.0 14.0
11th MERLIN-ROCKET 3671 Brightlingsea SC P Lambert T Bees 994 (14.0) 8.0 11.0 33.0 19.0
12th MERLIN-ROCKET 3730 Blithfield SC P Hollis J Dawes 994 (11.0) 11.0 10.0 32.0 21.0
13th MERLIN-ROCKET 3722 Blithfield SC M Biggs B Hollis 994 9.0 14.0 (23.0 DNC) 46.0 23.0
14th MERLIN-ROCKET 3731 Parkstone SC A Jones K Jackson 994 13.0 (15.0) 13.0 41.0 26.0
15th MERLIN-ROCKET 3717 Brightlingsea SC D Charlton C Charlton 994 (16.0) 13.0 14.0 43.0 27.0
16th MERLIN-ROCKET 3620 Brightlingsea SC A Bines S Bines 994 15.0 (16.0) 15.0 46.0 30.0
17th MERLIN-ROCKET 3666 Brightlingsea SC C Jordan G Jordan 994 (18.0) 17.0 16.0 51.0 33.0
18th MERLIN-ROCKET 3682 Fishers Green J Steward N Yannakoyorgus 994 17.0 (18.0) 18.0 53.0 35.0
19th MERLIN-ROCKET 3634 Parkstone YC B Archer M Gray 994 (19.0) 19.0 17.0 55.0 36.0
20th MERLIN-ROCKET 3688 Brightlingsea SC D Conlan E Gibbons 994 (23.0 DNF) 23.0 DNC 23.0 DNC 69.0 46.0
20th MERLIN-ROCKET 3716 Blithfield SC S Leney G Leney 994 (23.0 DNC) 23.0 DNC 23.0 DNC 69.0 46.0
20th MERLIN-ROCKET 3686 Brightlingsea SC P Aldridge M Barry 994 (23.0 DNC) 23.0 DNC 23.0 DNC 69.0 46.0

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