Aspire Merlin Rocket Nationals at Lyme Regis Sailing Club - Day 2

With a much lighter South-Westerly easing its way down the track than on day one with very little in the way of waves, conditions were set up for much tighter racing.

After the first General Recall of the week, the fleet were away cleanly on a Black Flag. With right being the favoured corner most of the fleet were onto Port early and it was Roger Gilbert and James Stewart together with Christian Birrell and Sam Brearey who were first to cross back on Starboard. However, with the tide switching from West going to East going and the wind dropping light, the windward mark suddenly became awfully hard to get to.

Aspire Merlin Nationals at Lyme Regis day 2 - photo © Pauline Rook

Christian and Sam demonstrated their prodigious pace to just do enough to round first followed by their Exe Sails team mates Mike and Jane Calvert. Alex Jackson and Pippa Kilsby were up into third and these three disappeared off down tide. Behind them many teams struggled to get a clear lane on the starboard lay line and there were many multiple clearing tacks.

Over the next three laps the leaders got richer and finished in their first mark order with Jon Turner and Richard Parslow in another Exe Sails suited boat coming in fourth to complete a fantastic race for this new sailmaker to the fleet. Christian and Sam had now made a mockery of the pre-event predictions of a tight regatta by winning the first three races!

Aspire Merlin Nationals at Lyme Regis day 2 - photo © Pauline Rook

For the fourth race, the wind was really light and patchy, had gone left but there was a rain cloud coming down the coast that would likely bring a right shift. Most boats were onto port early and although those at the pin had an advantage to start with, those who had started further back down the line slowly extended into a bit more pressure, less tide and a right shift.

This time it was Mike and Jane Calvert who nailed the beat to round first and although chased by Christian and Sam, were not going to be denied. On a shorter two lap course, they held on to take their first bullet and suggest the Christian and Sam are unlikely to have it all their own way. Roger and James were again in the frame and took third to keep their series very much alive. Simon and Ally Potts having had to retire on Sunday, were right back in the action adding a fourth to their previous race sixth.

Aspire Merlin Nationals at Lyme Regis day 2 - photo © Pauline Rook

One of the features of the week is that we have an on course Judge, looking to spot rule infringements and over-indulgent kinetics. Having finally caught up with William Warren who barely had the strength to sheet in, let alone pump, and put him into a spin, his beady eye fell on Andy Dalby. Arriving at the windward mark on a rather ambitious port tack, the whistle was blown and the flag was pointed. Andy started his 720, only to find himself rather too adjacent to racing boats, so the whistle was blown again. Poor Andy was still looking dizzy when he disorientatedly made it back to the beach.

Tuesday is looking decidedly sketchy with minimal breeze struggling to make the 5 knot cut off. Not only is the fifth race in jeopardy but also the crews race. However, the spare time can be well spent on creating the Fancy Dress for what is always the highlight of the week.

If conditions continue to remain light, Christian and Sam may become the first team to win a championships with four days to spare.

Results after Day 2: