Merlin Rocket Open at Hollingworth Lake Sailing Club

Merlin Rockets at Hollingworth Lake © Martin Henfield

Chris Gould and Chris Kilsby were the clear winners of the Felucca Trophy on its 60th anniversary, while the Club and the MROA celebrate their respective 70th anniversaries. Thanks to sponsorship from Craftinsure (and their support of the Silver Tiller, raced on Sunday) there were also spot prizes to be won.

Merlin Rockets at Hollingworth Lake - photo © Martin Henfield

The forecast for the weekend had indicated steady North East winds between 8 and 12 mph. In reality, it was not as stable as that! There was plenty of bright sunshine and, usually, an easterly wind at Hollingworth Lake can be stronger than expected. At least it meant that a maximum length beat could be set. That Saturdays 2 races were started without a black flag was a pleasant surprise with a fleet of 19 competitive Merlins. Last year's winner, Caroline Croft, with Beka Jones, found the way to lead the first race only to find sisterly pairing of Jen Dodds and Pippa Taylor getting a better starboard lift to catch them, and take the lead to the finish with the Chris team following, ahead of Andy 'Taxi' Davies and Chris Dodds.

A change of course for the second race and this time it was Taxi and Chris Dodds who found the way to lead, followed by David and Oliver Winder. Behind, there was some place changing with Caroline Croft gaining third place and Richad Whitworth, with Sally Townend, expected to have enough local knowledge from his past time here to benefit his chances. At this stage, it was looking as if any one of 7 boats could take the event.

Merlin Rockets at Hollingworth Lake - photo © Martin Henfield

The evening witnessed the usual social and excellent Felucca dinner served by club members. However, there did not seem to be too many sore heads on the Sunday morning. That day's racing was for the Silver Tiller series. Again, the first race got away clean and no black flag. While the Chris team were off and away, Richard Whitworth knew where to start on the line at the leeward end and hold for a port lift which brought him into second place ahead of Taxi and the sisters. While the Chris team built up a 2 minute lead the 3 boats behind jostled closely for their places.

Merlin Rockets at Hollingworth Lake - photo © Martin Henfield

After a good lunch, the final 2 races were sailed back-to-back. The first start resulted in a recall and the black flag at last, with one boat clearly over. Again the Chris team showed the way, except on the second lap, Simon Potts and Ally Martin were on form and briefly took the lead, only to sail off in the hope of a port lift to the windward mark which failed to materialise, losing out to the Chris team and the sisters.

The clouds passing over were unsettling the wind direction more for the final race. The black flag did not hold back the fleet enough. Julian Parry and son Evan were fortunate to round the windward mark ahead as the wind died away and calm descended as others struggled to keep moving. A roguish black cloud took the wind into the south-east and the race got underway again, but the Parrys were too far ahead to be challenged while Caroline Croft sailed steadily in second, with the Chris team keeping going in third. So Chris Gould and Chris Kilsby won the overall event and the Silver Tiller result, while behind places were closely fought in the following six results.

Overall Results: