Selden 70th Merlin Rocket Championships at Whitstable - Preview

by Tim Fells 19 Aug 2015 12:50 BST 22-28 August 2015

Seventy years of National Championships and still going strong! The enduring strength of the Merlin Rocket as one of the country's leading two handed racing classes will be evidenced again next week in Whitstable. Over seventy entries are expected to celebrate this milestone in the class's history, the racing will be as competitive as ever and there is an action packed social agenda that looks more exhausting than the sailing.

We are delighted that Selden are our title sponsors and their generous sponsorship has enabled us to provide many extra goodies and refreshments during the week. There will also be supporting prizes from Winder, Allen, P&B, Rooster, North Sails and Richard Whitworth.

The highlight of the week will be the 70th Championship Dinner, a black tie affair where sepia tinged past champions will be honoured and called upon to reminisce about the 'good old days'.

Heading the list will be recently rechristened Alan 'Balls of Steel' Warren who at the grand old age of 79 is still campaigning strongly and put a new boat (his 34th) on the water this year. Also attending will be Spud Rowsell as guest of honour and after dinner speaker. Other Champions include Pat Blake, Jon Turner, William Warren, Andy Davis, Roger Gilbert, Stu Bithell, Nick Craig, Richard Parslow, Jennie King, James Stewart, Alan Roberts, Tom Pygall and Olly Turner.

Out on the water, the line-up of talent is formidable.

2014 Champions Stu Bithell and Tom Pygall are back to defend their title in a brand new Winder. Unfortunately, Stu's 49er commitments in Rio mean he will not land at Heathrow until Monday morning so barring an act of god (Tom has his prayer mats out), or the longest sequence of general recalls in the class's history, they will be starting their defence with a DNS on the scoreboard.

2013 Champions Nick Craig and Alan Roberts would therefore be the bookies favourites, the only question being what will be their weapon of choice. Nick has recently taken delivery of a shiny new Jon Turner 'Genii' and will be under a lot of pressure (not least to justify the not inconsiderable outlay) to take it for a spin. A key decision will be made on Saturday morning. Light forecast = Genii, heavy forecast = Winder.

2011 Champion Andy Davis has teamed up this year with Alex Warren and look a formidable partnership. Taxi needs no introduction as a multiple winner and would be our second favourite for the title.

Behind these proven winners, a huge pack of talented teams will be looking to exploit any slip up. Leading contenders include:

• Dave Hayes and Jonny Radcliffe who have had the beating of Nick and Alan out on the circuit this year;
• Roger Gilbert and James Stewart who look like returning to championship winning form after time off on nappy duty;
• Ben and Roz McGrane, one of the smartest and hardest working teams out there, will fight to the end;
• Jasper Barnham and Graham Sexton who, if they can stop arguing who is the better Laser 2000 helm in the boat, have the ability to beat the best;
• Simon Potts (recently seen starring in the front end of Ally Martin's RS200 (does that read OK?)) who with Luke Shaw has been doing horizon jobs when the wind kicks in;
• Jon Gorringe and Nikki Bass recently returned from a strong second place at the RS400s and demonstrating that love conquers everything;
• Sam Pascoe, world beating I14 crew, who is rumoured to have a new boat and will have downloaded all of Glen Truswell's knowledge from when he won the last time the Merlins were at Whitstable;
• Ian Sharps and Ally Martin, have served their Merlin apprenticeship and are looking ready for prime time
• Tim Fells and Oli Wells who will be seeking some karma after a troublesome time for Oli at the Scorpion champs
• Young guns Ben Saxton and George Yeoman who have been given the keys to the championship winning Speed Machine;
• Old guns Jon Turner and Richard Parslow, looking to light up their Genii and show that they have out-thought the rest of the fleet
• Naked guns Olly Turner and Hamish Kilburn who if not winning will be prone to 'busting the tower' with another flyby. "Negative, Ghost Rider, the pattern is full!"

Looking beyond the title contenders, there will also be a championship within a championship. Whitstable club members, emboldened by a challenge to 'buy a Merlin for under £1k', have built their own fleet of 'Classic' boats. There will be at least 11 beautiful wooden boats doing battle and bringing some welcome class history to the event.

So, a great week in store at a favourite Merlin Rocket venue. Come rain or shine we are sure to have a great time!

www.merlinrocket.co.uk/champs/index.html