HD Sails Merlin Rocket Midland Circuit 2014 Awards Evening
by Martin Smith 10 Mar 2015 12:33 GMT
4 March 2015
Abi Spurr is presented with a new jib courtesy of Andy and Jim of HD Sails © Martin Smith
Wednesday saw the presentation of prizes for the 2014 Merlin Rocket Midland Circuit sponsored by HD Sails.
The series comprises events that carry full Merlin Rocket Silver Tiller status and four events that are not awarded Silver Tiller status. Don't be fooled though, racing at these events is just as keenly competed.
The Merlin Rocket Midland Circuit has over the years been won by several helms who have gone on to win not only the Merlin National Championships and Silver Tiller series but National Championships of other classes too.
The mixture of high and lower profile fixtures together with newcomers to the class and multi class multi times National Champions make the circuit a great place to learn how to sail a Merlin Rocket competitively.
For a regional circuit we offer some fantastic prizes thanks to our very generous sponsors some of whom race the circuit themselves.
2014 saw Matt Biggs and John Hackett winning with Ben Hollis and Caroline Croft taking the second spot, whilst Ben's dad (a former winner) picked up third place with Leise Scott.
Requiring four events for qualification meant that Liese was actually the highest place qualifying female competitor. Abi Spurr who crewed the fourth placed overall boat was the second placed female qualifier.
Glassware and silver salvers were on offer to the first three boats with prizes also going to the first qualifying boat over 20 years of age (Luke Tucker in 3296) and the best improver of the year (Rob Kennaugh in 3564 with Abi).
Lighting boards (donated by Winder Boats), gloves (donated by P&B), sail cloth cushions (donated by Windshift), Boat Fettling (from Dirty Hands & Dinghy Tech) and a car service (from Fast Fit Plus Ltd) were amongst the prizes kindly given by sponsors.
Our headline sponsors donated a jib to the circuit. If you qualified, for each non-Silver Tiller event you sailed your name was entered into a prize draw. Andy "Taxi" Davis of HD Sails drew the winning name from the pot in suitably dramatic fashion, then together with Jim Hunt (the 'H' from HD Sails) they presented the new sail to a delighted Abi Spurr.
After the prizes eating and drinking together with chatting about the upcoming season was the business of the evening.
If you own a Merlin Rocket, are a member of the Merlin Rocket Owners Association, sail at a club or live within 60 miles of Midland Sailing Club your eligible to enter the circuit (the length of a mile might be variable!).
The 2015 fun commences at Bartley Sailing club on Sunday 22nd March 2015.