Merlin Rocket open meeting at Blithfield Sailing Club

23 Merlins made the trip to Blithfield for the 14th Craftinsure Silver Tiller meeting on the 8th September. Visitors came from as far afield as Netley SC, while the local turnout was diminished by the 24hr race at West Lancs which many regulars attended in force.

Race one got underway in a pleasant force 2-3 with a pretty square start line and first beat making for quite a congested rounding of the first mark. Matt Biggs and John Hackett led the race from start to finish, the - at this stage - fairly steady breeze making it quite difficult to break away or find a way through those around you.

Lunch ensued and then two races back to back to back. By now the breeze was trying to shift round to the right but was having some difficulty deciding what it wanted to do. There were some rather larger gusts around too making things more interesting.

Race two got underway cleanly, a large shift back to the left making the pin end pay off big time. Will Rainey and Andy Douglas got there first, followed by Richard Whitworth and Alex Warren who it seems had decided their race one strategy of giving everyone a two minute head start was perhaps not paying off. Richard and Alex won this race, with Matt and John making their way through to second.

Race three again got away cleanly but again a large shift back to the left made the pin side the only place to be. Richard and Alex again beat Matt and John to take the GKN trophy, Julian Parry and Liese Scott took third place giving them third overall from Will and Andy.

Thanks to PRO Alan Skitt and his team for their efforts on what was not a pleasant day to be a race officer!

See also the latest results for the Silver Tiller series overall.

Overall Results: