Merlin Rocket De May Vintage Series at Upper Thames Sailing Club
by Debbie Kite 19 Sep 2016 09:45 BST
10 September 2016
Last weekend 10th and 11th October saw a large gathering of Merlin Rockets, sailors and boats, past and present, at Upper Thames Sailing Club for a grand celebration weekend.
The UTSC Merlin Open was the venue not just for the De May Vintage Series on Saturday and the Silver Tiller on Sunday, but the club was honoured to host the 70th birthday party for the Merlin Rocket Owners Association.
Unfortunately Saturday's weather was grey and rainy but that didn't deter the determined fleet and the photos show the spirit of strong competition and friendly reunion that was enjoyed on the day.
Racing started promptly with 23 boats on the angled start line for the first of the two MROA De May series races (sail number up to 3357), and all were thrilled to see Merlin number 1, Kate, competing, helmed by Mervyn Allen with crew Lora Stock.
The first race was won by Laurie Smart and Vanessa Pilon in Flipside 1065, followed by Crescendo 607 helmed by Berry Ritchie with crew Sue Harris, and then 3rd were Alex Jackson and Rachael in Katy-Lou 1493. Martin Hunter and Tom Walker sailing Lady Luck 1477 won the second race, followed by Laurie and Vanessa, then Berry and Sue. So the De May winners at UTSC this year were locals Laurie and Vanessa.
Next was the star attraction of the weekend, a Champion of Champions race with historic winning boats and senior helms being matched with younger champions for a once-in-a-decade classic exhibition of how to race on the Thames. The MROA made a film record of the racing and it can be seen on their Facebook page. Winners were Passing Cloud 1079, helmed by Dave Dobrijevic (National Champion crew in 1999) with crew Alex Jackson, then Grand Teton 1201 with John Bell and Graham Williamson (National winners in 2000), and relative youngsters Stu Bithell and Tom Pygall (2014) coming in 3rd in Night Fury 3775.
The fourth race of the day, now open to newer boats, was for the beautiful Spade Oak Bowl, and was another chance for a display of skills. It was won by Stu Bithell and Tom Pygall in Night Fury, with Richard and Harry Harris second in Passing Cloud, and third were Laurie Smart and Vanessa Pilon in Flipside.
UTSC's luck with the weather returned as the rain lifted just in time for the party, hosted by the Merlin Rocket Owners Association, with past Champions as honoured guests. All enjoyed a welcome drink and canapes during speeches from the balcony. This was followed by a buffet supper, with candlelight tables laid inside the clubhouse, the marquee and overflowing onto the lawn, and then dancing till late.
Sunday's (sunny) Silver Tiller racing is reported separately. Photos of the whole weekend can be seen on the gallery on the UTSC website, utsc.org.uk.