Selden Merlin Rocket Nationals at Lyme Regis Sailing Club - Day 6

Day 3 of the Merlin Rocket nationals at Lyme Regis © Mike Rice / www.fotoboat.com

Merlin Rocket nationals at Lyme Regis © Ian Wallace / www.fotoboat.com

So to the final day and a much anticipated show down between the defending Champions Taxi and Tom Pygall and the 2010 Champions and Olympic Silver Medalist Stu Bithell and Christian Birrell. Both were tied on 8 points but Stu and Christian had no discard having retired from race 5. This set the scene for Taxi to do a job on them in the same way as he did so devastatingly in 2011 when Geoff Carveth and Graham Williamson were his victims.

After the breezy week the fleet has enjoyed / endured, conditions for the final day were benign with a crystal clear morning showing the full arc of Lyme Bay in all its glory. What wind there was came and went in patches and for a while it was questionable if the race would get away. However, as if on cue, the much maligned Lyme sea breeze made a welcome appearance and the fleet lined up in a Southwesterly Force 2.

Taxi and Tom had no problem finding Stu and Christian hiding in fleet due to the leaders wearing bright yellow jerseys which were probably visible in Portland. Stu managed to wriggle free of Taxi's trap but the start was recalled so the game was played out again, this time under black flag. Stu managed to avoid being pushed over but there were some prominent names on the naughty board.

Third placed John Gorringe and Toby Lewis pulled the trigger a little early by the committee boat to pick up their second BFD of the week and ruin what was a very promising series. Also picking up their second BFD were Ben and Roz McGrane, winners of race 5. Geoff and Graham also were BFD but could afford a discard.

The final start was committee boat favoured and Taxi pushed Stu / Christian away down the line. Ultimately this was to Stu's favour as the breeze went hard left half way up the beat and he was able to round in 4th with Taxi / Tom about 10th. From this point on there was little Taxi could do. Stu set off in pursuit of his uncle Richard Whitworth crewed by Sarah Bines who had a commanding lead. Ultimately they just came up short and despite Taxi / Tom blasting the last run in the building breeze they could only make it up to third behind Stu / Christian.

Overall, the level of performance shown by the leading two teams in dominating such a star studded fleet was something special. Stu / Christian regained the title they held in 2010 with a score line of 1,1,1,2,5 to narrowly beat the 2011 champions Taxi / Tom who scored 2,2,2,2,3. Geoff Carveth and Graham Williamson rounded out a high quality top three overall.

Lyme Regis Sailing Club have put on a fantastic week for the Merlin Rockets. Despite challenging conditions the racing has been superb and Jerry Rook and his race and rescue teams deserve the highest praise. For a small club an event of this size was a real challenge but they have delivered a week that will live long in the class's memory. Thanks!!!

Overall Results:
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