Merlin Rocket Open Meeting at Trent Valley Sailing Club

Trent Valley Sailing Club in its 125 years celebration was greeted with excellence turnout of 18 boats coming as far from Hampton Sailing Club, London, with the presence of the Dalby Sisters, with a daunting turnout of boats, racing would have to commence with Flights, which many competitors hadn’t done before.

The Race officer Roger Britton delayed the 1st race for 5 minutes to allow the late arrival of Phil Dalby to rig his Merlin.

Racing eventually got under way on a sunny day with 10 to 15 mph northerly breeze.

The 1st heat for the 1st race saw Mike Anslow 3674 and John Richardson in 3041 lead down to the 1st buoy but only to be judged over the line, during this heat Jon Wood 3566 found the river bank trees and capsizes from Phil Dalby 1761 and Simon Shawyer 3361. Close racing was had with Richard Page 1222 just overtaken Chris Martin 3583 to take the race win, with Colin Anderson 3508 in 3rd.

The 2nd heat for the 1st race saw Andy Dalby 3690 judged over the line, Andy returned to the start line dead last, Guy Browne 3619 managed to get away from the pack to build a reasonable lead, only for Andy to catch at end of 1st lap, with a lot of trading places on 2nd lap with Andy taking the race win followed by Guy and Mike Raine 3510 in 3rd.

For the 2nd race the B course with loop at top of the river was introduced.

The 1st heat for the 2nd race saw Mike Anslow, Guy Browne and Mike Raine enjoying close racing with plenty of place changing, further down the fleets saw more capsize practice for Phil Dalby, Who broke his spinnaker pole, lucky his dad, George wasn`t sailing and borrowed his spinnaker poles for the 3rd race, also going for a swim James Clark 3509 and Simon Shawyer. The race ended with Mike Anslow taking the win followed by Mike Raine and Guy Browne in 3rd.

The 2nd heat for the 2nd race saw another close battle with Chris Martin just beating Andy Dalby and Richard Page by less than 50 seconds.

Now time for what all the competitors come to Trent Valley for the Famous Roast Dinner, Going into the final race heats saw 6 people in, with the chance of taking victory.

The 1st heat for the final race saw yet another close race with the pressure on, Mike Raine on 3rd rounding of the top buoy managed to break free and the win the race with Chris Martin 2nd just beating Guy Browne in 3rd by 5 seconds.

The 2nd heat for the final race saw Phil Dalby managing keep his boat upright for whole race just to beat Andy Dalby by 25 seconds, in 3rd Mike Anslow.

6 different race winners certainly made the working the result out hard work.

1st place went to Chris Martin and Abi Spurr 3583, 2nd Place Andy Dalby and Maria Grey 3690 3rd place Mike Raine and Jane Hill 3510, Old Boat Prize went to 4th Overall Richard Page.