Merlin Rocket Nationals at Whitstable Sailing Club Overall
by Whitstable Yacht Club 24 Aug 2002 12:02 BST
The final day dawned like all the others at this championships, balmy with a light breeze from the south west. The question was would the breeze hold or would the sea breeze cancel it out.
After one general recall the fleet set off on a strong flood tide. Those
who were crafty or lucky enough to find the main Swale channel were swept up
to the mark in stronger tide. A gentle race ensued until the last run when
those to the left of the course benefited from more pressure and came up
inside those from the right and many of the front runners were caught Simon
Blake and Richard Whitworth who had led from the start managed to squeeze
round the leeward mark ahead of the pack as the wind shifted to make the
final beat a fetch. The most spectacular recovery was made by Phil Emery
who had to do turns at the first windward mark and by going very low on the
reaches and left on the run went from 40th to 4th. William Warren was
third. Mike Calvert, who had won the championship the previous day retired.
Will Rainey who finished second overall finished 20th. It was one of those
days.
Overall Results:
Pos | Sail No | Boat Name | Helm | Crew | Pts |
1st | 3549 | Unfinished Business | Mike Calvert | Jane Calvert | 14 |
2nd | 3601 | Millennium Falcon | Will Rainey | Jenny King | 22 |
3rd | 3611 | The Phantom Menace | David Winder | Jilly Blake | 23 |
4th | 3609 | Time Lords | John Bell | Graham Williamson | 26 |
5th | 3612 | Manana | Simon Blake | L Jenkins | 28 |
6th | 3580 | Chambulls | William Warren | Rachael Cooper | 31 |