Merlin Rocket Open at Salcombe Yacht Club

Richard Dee and Chris Gould finished 4th at the Salcombe open meeting © Demelza Mitchell / www.demelzamitchell.co.uk

Start of the second race on Saturday at the Salcombe open meeting © Demelza Mitchell / www.demelzamitchell.co.uk

Friday 9th April in Salcombe – Force 3, bright sunshine, great ice creams and sweet Doombar

The games had already started with some rock climbing, ending with one broken arm. Get well soon Phil Dalby!

Saturday in Salcombe – The first day of the weekend's Speed Sails Silver Tiller open meeting - force 3, bright sunshine, and great ice creams

Race 1 got underway with a strong ebbing tide under the start. The runners going into the 'bag' were Tom Stewart, Richard Whitworth, Simon Blake, the current Salcombe Week champion Will Warren, and the new-found speed machine Dicky Dee. True to form, places changed a lot and Simon led out of the bag with Will Warren, Matt Biggs and Richard Whitworth close behind.

Beating back up to Saltstone, the Race Officer made an unconventional course change. Tom Stewart and Richard Whitworth never heard the call and as a result, redress was successfully sought that evening. Race 1 finished Will Warren 1st, Richard Dee 2nd and Simon Blake 3rd. Richard Whitworth and Tom Stewart got average points.

Race 2 got underway in slightly more breeze beating off the line to Yalton. Matt Biggs lead from the start with Tom Stewart and John Gorringe battling behind. A hard fought race for the lead resulted with Tom taking line honours followed by Matt, and Dicky Dee in 3rd.

Sunday Salcombe – slightly more breeze again, bright sunshine, great ice creams and the after effects of sweet, sweet Doombar

Race 3 got underway with Simon Blake taking an early lead. Very frequent place changes especially through the bag with the lead being challenged by Richard Whitworth, John Gorringe and William Warren. Some lively gusts down the main estuary gave the Ferry Inn patrons something to cheer at, and the race finished with Simon taking the win followed by Richard Whitworth and John Gorringe in third.

Race 4 got underway following a general recall with a fast ebbing tide under the fleet. Simon Blake sailed a convincing first beat to round Crossways first, followed by Duncan Salmon and Matt Biggs. The fleet then split with most going town-side back to Blackstone, but a big gust on Mill Bay side gave Pat Blake an excellent leg and he rounded first.

Simon Blake managed to get through and take the lead heading back to Crossways but Matt Biggs and Richard Whitworth battled back into contention also. In a very close finish Matt claimed line honours after winning a hard fought tacking duel at the finish, with Simon Blake in 2nd and Richard Whitworth in 3rd.

A final note - Happy Birthday Brian who is 75 years young this week and has been supporting Merlins behind the Salcombe YC bar for many of those 75 years!

Looking ahead to the summer

Merlin Rockets heading back down to Salcombe in July for more Doombar during their Salcombe Week and there are - unusually - still a few places left! The Merlin national champs are in Penzance and again entries are filling quickly! Ask on the forum about chartering a boat!

Overall Results: