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Merlin Rocket Open Meeting at Cookham Reach Sailing Club

by Richard Cartwright 24 Apr 2011 22:08 BST 17 April 2011

Whilst the dominating high pressure did nothing for the strength of the wind, it did persuade 29 boats to enter this year’s Craftinsure Silver Tiller event for the Cookham Shield. OOD David Phillips, had no alternative except to postpone the start allowing the competitors more time to prepare for the challenge ahead and enjoy the hospitality of this most welcoming of Thames sailing clubs.

The fleet was split into four flights and finally released from shore for the first race. However such were the conditions 13 boats did not finish. The flight winners were 1079 Passing Cloud – Richard Harris and 1097 Flinkidink – Mike Stephens.

The OOD and his team were given a real challenge throughout the day and for the second race after lunch re-sited the start line. Conditions were still testing, but whilst the wind direction was variable, the strength was definitely improving. As a result only two boats did not finish. 1079 was again a winner with the other start being won by 774 Quiver – Martin Hunter. They were followed by 3702 Salmon en Croute – Duncan Salmon and 1097- Mike Stephens

The safety boat crews were having a pleasant restful time but were brought into action with a dismasting and a bizarre capsize by 3650, Lawrence Tosh crewed by his son Joe. The excuse was that the helm wanted to adjust his racing flag! Despite this, 3650 was still able to take part in the third race.

Race 3 had the most wind of the day with the northerly bias allowing spinnakers to be flown on the downwind leg. The challenge for the OOD was now trying to guess for how long he could keep the race going in the late afternoon when the wind could suddenly fail at any time. The flight winners were 1079 and 774 followed by 1097 and 3702 respectively.

Throughout the day and in each flight there had been close competition with everyone having experienced their own disaster or bit of luck. The final results were very close.

The Peter Flanagan Trophy (kindly donated by his widow, Christine, and to be awarded to the highest placed Cookham boat) was won by 3645 Blue Velvet – Jeremy and Jo Deacon.

The Cookham Shield went to 1079 Passing Cloud – Richard and Harry Harris. Tamesis SC.

Overall Results:

PosBoatSail NoHelmCrewClubR1R2R3Pts
1Passing Cloud1079Richard HarrisHarry HarrisTamesis SC1112
2Quiver774Martin HunterJack ToshUpper Thames SC2112
3Flinkidink1097Mike StephensName lost!Tamesis SC1223
4Salmon en Croute3702Duncan SalmonHarriet SalmonWembley SC4224
5Shenandoah3088Andrew HarrisFrancis GiffordTamesis SC2335
6Monkey Business3707Alex JacksonLady SadieShoreham SC3447
7Headcase3650Lawrence ToshJoe ToshBanbury SC3DNF47
8Shoestring1136Joe McLaughlinTom McLaughlinTamesis SC5538
9Blue Velvet3645Jeremy DeaconJoanne DeaconCRSC5358
10Needlemakers3610Richard DeeChris GouldMidland SC44DNC8
11Light Fantastic3555Tim HarridgeThe GrayHampton SC86511
12Delirium3637Alan BroadbentRussell HallWembley SC75712
13Cobra3465Graham WebbMary WebbCRSCDNF6612
14Hot Totty3676Pat BlakeJilly BlakeCRSCDNF7613
15Encore Fumee3371Paul DeanNicki Della PortaWembley SC610814
16Wild Knight3632Marcus RobbRebecca RobertsCRSCDNF8715
17Lovebyte3334Alex SingletonKevin SingletonCRSC791016
18Hakuna Matata3571Andy JonesMaddie JonesParkstone SC97DNF16
19An Bradan Fease3535Anthony RickabyMayuri ShahWembley SCDNF9817
20Mornington Crescent3290James HallJosh HallCRSCDNF11920
21Crescendo607Berry RitchieSue HarrisTamesis SC6DNCDNC22
22Second Thought3570Roy ReuterNick ReuterCRSCDNF8DNC24
23Snorter3627Dan WillettPete NicholsonBrightlingsea SCDNFDNCDNC32
23Midnight Flight3681Douglas MaxwellNigel HarnimanWembley SCDNFDNCDNC32
23Rioja 'n' Roll3717David CharltonCelia CharltonBrightlingsea SCDNFDNFDNC32
23Tenacious3456Martin EvansChris EvansCRSCDNFDNCDNC32
23Eureka3106Brian ClarkeNick WilsonRanelagh SCDNFDNCDNC32
23Die Fledermaus3344Clive EvisonTricia EvisonCRSCDNFDNCDNC32
23Summit Fever3594Alan MarkhamAlice MarkhamUpper Thames SCDNFDNCDNC32

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