Shepherd Neame Merlin Rocket Nationals at Whitstable - Day 3

Day three of the Merlin Rocket nationals © Nick Champion / www.championmarinephotography.co.uk

Day three of the Merlin Rocket nationals © Mark Barnes

P&B Sails Race Day

The third day of the Shepherd Neame Merlin Rocket Nationals in Whitstable Bay, was to prove the trickiest yet. With the breeze coming off the land from the South to SE, which would come into play and generate the wind bends and lanes from Borstal Hill or Tankerton Hill, and how much would the ebb tide broaden the reaches? One thing was for sure, there would be some big shifts and when the dice rolls, some of the main players would be spat out of the front pack.

Due to the shifty conditions R/O Jon Silk decided to run the Crew’s Race first. Just to prove a point, the crews decided to show that it is not just the helms that have the taste for jumping the start. So after one General Recall, the fleet got away. This time it was the turn of the Goacher Sails powered boat 3670 (Andy Turncliffe/Steve Goacher) to take up the baton and lead the charge to the windward mark. One would think that it was the helms at the back of the boat due to the competitiveness of the race but it was not to be for 3670 as 3705 (Rob Kennaugh/Matt Biggs) pressed home a hard fought advantage at the take the lead at the last leeward mark to lead to the finish from 3670 followed by 3685 (Chris Robinson/Willie Warren), 3684 (Ellie Bremner/Andy Davis) and 3700 (Sophie Mackley/Phil Emery).

Now to the big race and a postponement to wait for the breeze to stabilize on a south-easterly 4 – 6 knots. As per previous days, the fleet let the R/O know it was business as usual and after two general recalls, the Black Flag came out. Off the start line it was nip and tuck for the fleet with a different set of conditions from the previous days’ tested the fleet. With the wind bend favouring middle right, but part way up the first beat the breeze backed and those on the left looked very sweet and those on the right were to rue the moment.

So at the windward mark it was 3701 (Tom Stewart/Liam Dempsey) from 3640 (Simon Blake/Phil Dalby). Down the first reach, as very broad, the fleet compressed and so it became very tactical and the tide was sweeping the fleet east, so options were limited but the leader held on. Over the next reach there was more of the same.

The second beat and all was to play for as 3701 was being hounded by 3684 (Andy Davis/Ellie Bremner) and series leader 3626 (Glenn Truswell/Olly Turner). Covering the other two, 3701 held on at the windward mark but with a relatively breezy run, arriving at the leeward mark, all three rounded the mark in line. 3701 went right and 3684 left and unfortunately found weed and a hole in the breeze to spiral down the order. With 3626 now taking up the chase, they worked the angles on the right, getting the edge on 3701 to take the lead. However, 3703 (Richard Whitworth/Sally Townend) were in stealth mode and found more pressure out further right to slip past 3701 at the windward mark.

Over the next lap it was starting to look like 3703 was to upset the party, but 3626 managed to just hold on to take their second win of the week from 3703, 3701, 3691 (Mike Calvert/Chris Downham) and 3662 (David Winder/Pippa Taylor). So Hyde Sails have two wins but the top 10 is well represented by the main lofts, so bragging rights are still up for grabs.

The form is now starting to show and if the rest of the week follows the previous day’s results, who will stop 3626? Tomorrow is looking to be hot and hopefully some good steady sea breeze as the gradient breeze does not look promising.

Holt Plate in Association with North Sails

Marlow Race Day

Today’s winner in the Marlow sponsored Holt Plate handicap race is 3665 (Ross Jackson/Dave Reid) of Shoreham, now attending their 5th Championships together. Sailing in the tricky light conditions achieved their best result ever of 9th in the main championship fleet, gaining a few notable scalps on the way and to top it off coming first in the handicap race. Their best ever result prior to today, was 15th. Will they be using their new tapered sheets tomorrow one does ask?

Ross & Dave’s race started towards the committee boat end where they found a gap, working in clear air up the first beat. However, they went with the wind bend on the right and when the breeze backed, were not looking very clever. However, lady luck was with them and they found a line of lifting breeze, rounding the windward mark in the mid teens.

Down the two reaches they held on and maintained their position. Up the next beat, most of the leaders went inshore but Ross hit the opposite corner and came into the mark in breeze, making big gains on the top half of the beat, rounding the windward mark eighth. During the next lap, they managed to stay ahead of 3662 (Dave Winder/Pippa Taylor, 3685 (Willie Warren/Chris Robinson) and 3705 (Matt Biggs/Kennaugh). Consolidation was the name of the game and a more cautious beat saw 3685 and 3705 pass them but held on to 3676 (Pat Blake/Jilly Blake), finishing astern of race 1 winner 3705.

Current leaders of the series 3666 (Dean Parsons/Hamish Kilburn) seem to be putting a good series together and sailing above expectations, but we have yet to see a big breeze race day. With the sea breeze hopefully kicking in tomorrow, will lady luck be on their side or will they struggle?! Only time will tell and we’ll see who is in tune and who is not. One thing is for sure if it does kick in the current positions enjoyed by some may be under threat. The Fat Lady may be singing soon though if no one can stop 3666’s consistency.

Day 3 Video:

Results after Day 3: