Merlin Rocket Travellers Series at Tamesis Club - Week 10
by Chris Balmbro 9 Mar 2009 09:02 GMT
8 March 2009
Sponsored by Rowsell Sails
Race Officer Joe McLaughlin began proceedings on Sunday morning by pinning a Met Office wind forecast to the door of the start box at Tamesis Club. While the gusts didn’t quite hit the 48 knots forecast, they weren’t far off with estimates suggesting that the fleet sailed through, and in some cases capsized in, 35 knot gusts.
The first race of the morning was sailed by 5 Merlins eager to take on the force 4 WSW wind blowing across the river. A reasonably short dogleg course kept all the boats in fairly close contact with each other and there were plenty of place changes. Mike Stephens and son Andrew, sailing Luka (3560) won, followed by Ken Duffell and Brian Corking in Harry (3599).
Race 19 Results:
1st Mike & Andrew Stephens (Tamesis Club)
2nd Ken Duffell & Brian Corking (Tamesis Club)
3rd Charlie Morgan & Jo Crabtree (Tamesis Club)
The second race of the day saw 12 Merlins heading up-river to a mark set close to Kingston Bridge and then back downstream to a mark just downstream of the Clubhouse. The section passing Stephen’s Ait was tricky and the wind was both gusty and shifty which caught some out more than others. At least four Merlins capsized during the race with all but Duffell and Corking retiring after their respective capsizes. Seemingly, the modern Merlin is better at shedding water after a capsize than a vintage boat. The wind was capricious in the extreme, howling gusts followed by windless lulls. When the breeze was consistent though, conditions were exhilarating and plenty of passers-by stopped to watch Merlins of various ages tearing up and down the river. The river police, intent on enforcing the speed limit, chased down a number of miscreants.
Stephens Senior and Junior recorded their second win of the day, followed by Colin Stokes and Caroline Stilwell in Avenger (1004).
Mike Stephens now looks to have the Travellers Series sewn up: with 6 races remaining, Stephens is 28 points clear of the nearest challenger (Ken Duffell). Chris Balmbro is currently in 3rd with Charlie Morgan the only remaining helm who can qualify for the Series.
Race 20 Results:
1st Mike & Andrew Stephens (Tamesis Club)
2nd Colin Stokes & Caroline Stilwell (Tamesis Club)
3rd Berry Ritchie & Sue Harris (Tamesis Club)
4th Andy Harris & Caroline Croft (Tamesis Club)