The Merlin Rocket class headed to Whitstable Yacht Club on the 22nd and 23rd June for the fifth Crafinsure Silver Tiller of the year combined with the fifth Allen South East Series event.
The forecast looked perfect for a weekend by the sea, less perfect for those hoping for some last-minute practice before Salcombe Week. Nonetheless 18 boats turned up to race at Whitstable this weekend.
Setting a theme for the rest of the weekend, what wind there was had already begun to disappear by the start of the first race on Saturday. Mark Barnes & Lottie Fildes won the biased end of the line and led to mark one closely followed by Alex Jackson & Pippa Kilsby in their brand new boat.
Unfortunately, the wind carried on decreasing, before returning from 90 degrees further right. Places changed a fair amount, but Alex & Pippa held on to win, with Tom Gillard & Rachael Gray sneaking into second with Mark & Lottie Third. Tim Saxton & Holly McArthur led the rest home to finish 4th.
Race 2 was started very promptly, with a tight battle up the first beat seeing Tom & Rachael sneak ahead at mark 1 never to be seen again. As the wind died on lap two, Alex & Pippa snuck through into second, Alex Warren & Jonty Freeman sailed a great race and dodged the weed to finish 3rd just ahead of Mark Stockbridge & Charlie Cotter.
Unfortunately, Sunday's forecast turned out correct and we never saw enough wind to make racing possible in a spring tide, so the overnight results stood. Tom & Rachael won on count back from Alex & Pippa with Tim & Holly's consistency earning them third.
Thanks to all of the club volunteers for their brilliant hosting & making the best out of a very tricky, light wind weekend.
The next Craftinsure Silver Tiller is at Shoreham Sailing Club on 20th and 21st July. The next SE Series is at Shoreham Sailing Club on 19th October for the series grand finale and prize-giving.
First up, 120 Merlin Rockets will be making their way to Salcombe Yacht Club for Salcombe Gin Merlin Rocket Week 2024 also supported by CraftInsure, Creation Covers.
Keep an eye on the Merlin Rocket Facebook page for live coverage of the starts at 1030 and 1430 from Sunday 30th June to Friday 5th July.
Overall Results:
Pos Sail No Helm Crew Club R1 R2 Pts
1 3759 Thomas Gillard Rachael Gray Sheffield Viking SC 2 1 3
2 3823 Alex Jackson Pippa Kilsby Shoreham 1 2 3
3 3807 Tim Saxton Holly McArthur Itchenor 4 5 9
4 3696 Alex Warren Jonty Freeman Shoreham 7 3 10
5 3763 Mark Barnes Sophie Mackley Whitstable YC 3 8 11
6 3804 Ian Martin Arron Holman Burghfield SC 5 7 12
7 3801 Matt Biggs Beka Jones Bartley SC 6 6 12
8 3812 Tom Stewart Rob Allen Salcombe YC 8 10 18
9 3727 Mark Stockbridge Charlie Cotter Upper Thames SC 15 4 19
10 3749 Colin Anderson Sean Anderson Bartley SC 9 11 20
11 3796 William Warren Charlotte Fildes Shoreham SC 13 9 22
12 3816 Phil Emery Pheobe Paine Whitstable YC 10 13 23
13 3746 James Wells Anna Aylward RYA 12 12 24
14 3720 Dave Chisholm Andy Prince Royal Burnham YC 11 16 27
15 3677 Timonth Barr Mark Skipper Tamesis 16 14 30
16 3736 Jon Bloice Philippa Bloice Whitstable YC 14 17 31
17 3752 Huw Reynolds Jon Dennis Whitstable YC 17 15 32
18 3576 John Gibbons Martin Akers Whitstable YC 18 18 36
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