Merlin Rocket Vintage Open at Hunts Sailing Club
by Mike Liggett 21 May 2010 16:49 BST
15 May 2010
A total of 8 Merlins from as far afield as Shearwater SC in the west, and Hollingworth Lake in the north, came to Hunts for the second 2010 qualifying De May Trophy event. As usual there were a variety of designs ranging from Holt Riants to a Mike Jackson wide Superstition. Nick Crickmore was sailing his beautifully restored Mk VI “Buzzard” on her first outing for many years.
A total of 3 races were sailed in a light to moderate north to NW wind. Courses were set offering good up wind and off wind legs, making the most of the lake.
Line honours went repeatedly to Charlie Morgan in “Lady Anne” (Procter IXb) who pulled well away from the chasing bunch in all three races and was able to maintain this position on handicap. Further down the field there was plenty of action and quite a lot of place changing. “Squirrel”, the only ribbed boat sailing, was just able to squeeze out “Sprite Full” for 2nd overall.
This year this event was combined with a CVRDA meeting and Merlins took 1st, 2nd, 6th and 7th places overall.
Merlin Results:
| Pos | Sail | Boat | Helm | Crew | Club |
|---|
| 1 | 1978 | Lady Anne | Charlie Morgan | Hayley Manning | Tamesis Club |
| 2 | 235 | Squirrel | Mike Liggett | Les Young | Hunts SC |
| 3 | 507 | Sprite Full | Chris Barlow | Lois Barlow | Shearwater SC |
| 4 | 1066 | Ten Sixty Six | Tim Bury | Pat Kuenzler | Banbury SC |
| 5 | 552 | Buzzard | Nick Crickmore | Jon Thompson | Waveney & O B SC |
| 6 | 2121 | Half Cut | Sandy Lavelle | Pat Jones | Shearwater SC |
| 7 | 2410 | Atilla the Hunt | Ian Laing | Thomas | Hollingworth Lake SC |
| 8 | 1357 | Chimp | Mervyn Allen | Anna | Ranelagh SC |