Sharps Doom Bar Merlin Rocket Salcombe Week - Preview

Salcombe Merlin Rocket Week 2011 is blessed with good weather as usual © John Murrell

This weekend will see the annual pilgrimage of Merlin Rocket sailors, their families and friends to glorious Salcombe in South Devon. Sharps Doom Bar are our sponsors.

Salcomebe Week has taken on legendary status and this year will be the biggest ever. The entry limit has been increased to 128 boats and they were all snapped up six months ago with quite a few disappointed punters missing out.

The joy of Salcombe is that it provides something for everyone. Unlike the big course, open water slog at the championships, Salcombe conjures up a never ending kaleidoscope of conditions. Whether it is light airs close tacking up the shore, cheating the tides or exploiting the eddies, open water blast reaches up the estuary, surviving dodgy runs through the town or finding a safe and quick way out of a crowded start line with little or no water to play with, Salcombe gives fun, excitement and frustration in equal measure – all within the stunningly beautiful town and countryside.

This year again will see the full range of Merlin Rockets, from some vintage boats that come out for the fine days, through the classic wooden boats of the class hey-day to the modern thoroughbreds. Teams have a strong family connection with many husband/wife, parent/child and grandparent/grandchild combinations along with the hot shots from the circuit.

All of this is wrapped up in a big social gathering with a flotilla of spectator craft plus crowds on the beaches, lawns and pub gardens that overlook the racing, bucket and spade and beach games for the youngsters and many a house party and late nights at the club bar for those who still feel young.

The forecast for the coming week has some good breezes and plenty of sun so everything is set for a classic.

As for the runners and riders, all eyes will be on the 2012 and 2013 winners, Dave Winder and Pippa Taylor. It is highly likely that their main competition will come from previous winners and perennial front runners Simon Blake or Richard Whitworth.

The flight seedings have produced a good spread of the talent. Dave and Pippa have both Andy Davis and Matt Biggs in their blue flight. Simon has Jon Gorringe, Sam Pascoe and Dave Hayes in Green flight. Richard has Tom Stewart, Alex Jackson and Olly Turner in Black fleet. Finally, Red fleet sees past winners William Warren and Mike Calvert challenged by Tim Fells and Simon Potts.

Racing starts on Sunday 6 July, with the following Morning/Afternoon program:

Sunday: Red v Green / Blue v Black
Monday: Red v Blue / Green v Black
Tuesday: Green v Blue / Red v Black
Wednesday: Blue v Black / Red v Green
Thursday: Green v Black / Red v Blue
Friday: Red v Black / Green v Blue

Look out for daily reports to catch up on all the action.