Allen Brothers Merlin Rocket Nationals at Hayling Island - Days 1- 4

As the fleet head out to sea on Day 5 of the Allen Merlin Rocket Nationals 2011, it gives us time to reflect on the 4 days that have passed and how things are shaping up at Hayling Island Sailing Club ready for the grand finale on Friday 26th August.

Day 1

Welcomed with a gentle South Westerly breeze, this was ideal conditions to break the fleet into a week of Championship sailing conditions. The practice race saw John Gorringe and Toby Lewis take victory followed by the remaining fleet of 58 Merlin Rockets. Would this victory curse them for the regatta, with the bad omen that is usually associated with winning the practice race?

Once all boats had finished, racing commenced for the Allen Merlin Rocket Nationals Championship 2011. Off on the first gun the fleet head off for the course of a triangle, sausage, triangle, finishing on the beat. Geoff Carveth and Graham Williamson sailing 3652 lead from start to finish followed by Andy Davis and Tom Pygall in 3684 in 2nd and Jon Gorringe and Toby Lewis in 3712 in 3rd.

Day 2

Monday brought much of the same with regards to the weather, going left paid dividends in the shifty conditions. This was a clear start with Carveth and Williamson taking victory, 2nd to David Winder and Pippa Taylor in 3662 and 3rd to Tim Fells and Chris Downham in 3727.

Day 3

Let the naughtiness begin, and bring out the black flag! The northerly breeze coming off the shore produced some very shift conditions; however the rain that the fleet woke up to and faced head on during rigging had deteriorated and the fleet headed out to the race area. After several general recalls and black flags, the remaining fleet eventually headed off up to the windward mark. There was a big battle between our current Silver Tiller leaders Davis and Pygall in 3684 and Salcombe Week Winners Simon Blake and Alex Jackson in 3707 with plenty of place changing going on. Eventually Davis and Pygall came out victorious with Blake and Jackson in 2nd followed by Tom Stewart and Steve Hall in 3701 in 3rd. The current Championship leaders (Carveth and Williamson) heard silence instead of a finishing gun on passing through finishing line and went for redress with the Race Committee, this was granted and as such they were awarded average points.

Day 4

What a day, a south westerly breeze ranging between 10-18knts sunshine and waves you can surf off, what more could a sailor want? This was quite simply champagne sailing conditions. Today we saw a new boat lead the fleet around the course for the first lap, Jon Turner sailing with Richard Parslow in 3729, closely followed by Fells and Downham. There was a mighty wind shift up the first beat which left a big smile on the faces of those who went left and those who went right in shore were not so fortunate.

The leading pack of Turner and Parslow, Fells and Downham, Stewart and Hall, Carveth and Williamson, Davis and Pygall managed to pull away from the remaining fleet. By the final leeward mark Carveth and Williamson had managed to pull away what you would think would be a healthy lead, however the remaining 4 boats in the pack, were not letting them get away without a fight. Davis and Pygall, sailed their hearts out to pull away and get right on the tail of Carveth and Williamson, however it was not quite enough. Carveth and Williamson took victory, followed by Davis and Pygall in 2nd and Fells and Downham 3rd.

For full results of the Allen Merlin Rocket National Championships please visit: www.hisc.co.uk/openresults11/MerlinRocket_nats_2011.htm

Holt Plate Handicap Series

Alongside the Allen Merlin Rocket National Championships there is also the Holt Plate Handicap Trophy. Local boat Martin and Vicky Jones sailing 3724 are currently leading this followed by Carveth and Williamson in 2nd with Guy Browne and Tommi Cluley in 3rd.

For full results of the Holt Plate Handicap Trophy please visit: www.hisc.co.uk/openresults11/MerlinRocket_nats_handicap_2011.htm