Please select your home edition
Edition
Henri-Lloyd Dynamic Range

Merlin Rocket Open at Blithfield Sailing Club

by Ben Archer / Richard Whitworth 16 Oct 2009 15:40 BST 11 October 2009

The penultimate open meeting of the Silver Tiller Series, sponsored by Speed Sails, was sailed at Blithfield on Sunday 11th of October.

In direct contrast to the day before competitors were greeted by a cold breeze and light autumn drizzle as they rigged their boats, both of which died away for the start of the first race, which was sailed in a fitful force 1-2, a big windshift tightened the first reach to a close fetch-a difficult start saw many top boats buried deep in the pack, but Matt Biggs managed to sniggle past Tom Stewart as did Andy Davies, who was second, with William Warren getting past Richard Whitworth to take third place.

After Lunch the wind freshened (as forecast) for the second race, and Andy Davies sailed away clear from the start, closely followed by Mike Calvert and Tom Stewart, who all finished in that order.

As per the forecast, the wind continued to build to force 4-5 for the third race with heavy gusts sweeping across the racetrack. There were several contenders for the third race, with the lead changing hands many times, Dave Winder showed his face at the front, until a capsize under spinnaker put him out of the running. The race officer having set a long beat to the top of the reservoir with a five lap course the race was as much endurance test.

The Jackson brothers had a good race, but were never able to challenge Matt Biggs or Andy Davies for the lead, Mike Calvert was in with a shout until his jib halliard came un-talurited and ended his meeting, and the race finished with Matt Biggs winning, closely followed by Andy Davies and then Ross Jackson.

With Matt Biggs winning the Blithfield open overall it means an exciting end to this year's Silver Tiller with the top five boats all able to win the series, with one meeting to go, it all rests on the Parkstone open.

Related Articles

Salcombe Merlin Rocket Week overall
Tom Gillard and Rachel Gray take the trophy The final day of Helly Hansen Salcombe Merlin Week dawned to another day of blue skies with a light Southwester forming in the harbour and forecast to increase. The overall result was still up for grabs with both leading protagonists in the morning race. Posted on 4 Jul
Salcombe Merlin Rocket Week Day 5
Wall to wall sunshine for the 102 teams The fifth morning dawned with wall to wall sunshine and a 5 knot SW sea breeze popped in at the surprisingly early time of 8.30, promising a good day's racing for the 102 teams. Posted on 3 Jul
Salcombe Merlin Rocket Week Day 4
Random gusts from every direction, including vertical Past the halfway stage and the weather served up another wind direction for the fourth day of Helly Hansen Salcombe Merlin Week. Posted on 2 Jul
Salcombe Merlin Rocket Week Day 3
South-Westerly establishes itself after a windless dawn The third day dawned with light cloud and absolutely no wind in the harbour. As often happens at Salcombe, by the time the fleet started to launch a South-Westerly had started to establish itself and by the 10.30 start time there was 4-5 knots. Posted on 1 Jul
Salcombe Merlin Rocket Week Day 2
First start gets away on the top of the tide With the rest of the UK cooking in 30+ degrees, Salcombe has been veiled in sea mist for the last few days. Monday was the day when this was meant to clear but competitors woke to find the race track still shrouded in mist. Posted on 30 Jun
Salcombe Merlin Rocket Week Day 1
Over 200 of the UK's top dinghy racers are in the picturesque South Devon Ria The ever popular Salcombe Merlin Week, sponsored by Helly Hansen, Craftinsure and Creation Covers, has again attracted over 200 of the UK's top dinghy racers to the picturesque South Devon Ria. Posted on 29 Jun
Delivery to Salcombe Week - Final Call!
Devon's calling, and P&B are answering This weekend finds members of our Sail Loft team at Salcombe Yacht Club, for Merlin Salcombe Week. We'll be making the most of the conditions, the surroundings and the chance to catch up with other sailors who share our passion for competitive sailing. Posted on 26 Jun
Merlin Rockets in the Upriver Race at Ranelagh
A simple windward-leeward 6 times then head for home; what could be simpler? Ranelagh Sailing Club Upriver Race on Sunday in glorious sunshine with the forecast of decent breeze and the promise of bacon rolls and tea on arrival and lunch afterwards was all the encouragement nine vintage/classic Merlin Rockets needed. Posted on 25 Jun
Merlin Rocket Craftinsure Silver Tiller at Hampton
On arrival competitors and the duty team were provided with bacon rolls Following on from the Silver Tiller at Queen Mary Reservoir on Saturday, the double-header continued on Sunday at Hampton Sailing Club on the River Thames, with an entry of twelve boats including visitors from Midland, Parkstone and Plymouth. Posted on 18 Jun
Merlin Rockets at Queen Mary
Double black diamond descent in the Craftinsure Silver Tiller Series A keen fleet of Merlin Rocket crews descended upon the Queen Mary reservoir on Saturday 14th June for another episode of the exciting event in the ever hotly contested Craftinsure Silver Tiller series. Posted on 17 Jun