Craftinsure Merlin Rocket Silver Tiller Open at Chichester Yacht Club

Merlin Rocket Silver Tiller open at Chichester © Chris Hodge

Merlin Rocket Silver Tiller open at Chichester © Chris Hodge

Despite rain, cold weather and gusty conditions, 22 Merlin Rockets made it to Chichester Yacht Club for Saturday's Open Meeting. Sailors had come from all over the country - from Cornwall to the Midlands and Northwest.

This was the first meeting where results counted for the 2013 Silver Tiller series, sponsored by Craftinsure, a trophy that has a history back as far as 1950.

Conditions were cool & breezy, during most of the racing with some very large gusts. Race Office Nick Colbourne set a triangle /sausage course in Chichester Basin, offering some great reaches & runs, but also some tricky gybes. There were a considerable number of capsizes, keeping the safety crews on their toes, although in this fleet the sailors are experts at self–rescue (much to the safety crews relief due to the cold conditions!)

The wind dropped a little for the first race which started in rain with winds of 11-15 knots. The enthusiasts were all close to the line and after a general recall racing got underway. Jasper Burnham & Graham Sexton (Snettisham Beach) got an early lead, but fell back during the racing. This allowed Richard Whitworth & Sarah Bines (Parkstone), Matt Biggs & John Halkett (Blithfield SC) and David Hayes & Johnny Ratcliffe (HISC) to get past. With some very close racing Richard & Sarah were 1st, Matt & John 2nd and David & Johnny 3rd.

The wind continued to build shifting up a gear during Race 2 to 16-25 knots. These larger gusts increased the capsizes, but led to some spectacularly fast reaches & runs for those who could stay on top of the conditions. The racing remained very close and first place again went to Richard Whitworth & Sarah Bines, 2nd were Sam Pascoe & Alex Adams (Castle Cove SC) and 3rd David Sayce & Graham Williamson (HISC).

With the wind continuing to increase Race 3 was kept short. There were already a number of retirements due to the tricky conditions, but the majority of keen racers were on the start line. This time Sam Pascoe & Alex Adams managed to get a good lead and keep ahead or Richard Whitworth & Sarah Bines, to take first with Richard & Sarah 2nd. Matt Biggs & John Halkett were 3rd.

Competitors retired to the shore for Chichester Yacht Club's tea & cakes, followed by the prize giving.

Overall Results: