Vintage Merlin Rocket Porteous and Southcott Cups at Tamesis Club

by John Dunkley 14 Oct 2013 15:11 BST 12 October 2013

Martin Hunter of Upper Thames SC won both the Porteous and Southcott Cups at a De May Series open meeting for Vintage Merlins at Tamesis on Saturday 12 October. Ten boats competed in the three race event over a five round course in a light and variable but cold easterly wind that was made slightly more tolerable by the warm sunshine.

The first race was won by John Bell and his daughter Olivia from Hampton SC in Grand Teton (1201) by only six seconds, wth Martin Hunter and Kaslia Adamounska in Quiver (774) second, and Stuart Jenkins and Nicola Scadden of Hampton SC third in Luka (3560). Martin Hunter won the second race by just over a minute with Frank Rowsell second in Splatter (1631) and John Bell third.. Stuart Jenkins took the third race by just 11 seconds, with Martin Hunter second, and Ben Marshall and Sel Shah from Thames SC third, sailing Pooh (1189).

The Southcott Cup is awarded to the winner of the third race but after the application of vintage handicaps Martin Hunter was pronounced the winner of both trophies, with John Bell second, Stuart Jenkins third, and Dana Church and Phil Abbey of Tamesis fourth in Jabberwocky (1950).

Charlie Morgan, the Merlin Class Captain, presented the prizes, Charles Fox was the Race Officer, assisted by Hugh McLaughlin, and the Club Launch was manned by Doug Pope and Jose Ugarte.

In the evening 40 members of all ages enjoyed the Merlin Dinner, cooked by Charlie Morgan and Hayley Manning, followed by jive dancing with a disc jockey.

Overall Results: (top four)

1st Quiver (774) Martin Hunter & Kaslia Adamounska (UTSC)
2nd Grand Teton (1201) John & Olivia Bell (Hampton SC)
3rd Luka (3560) Stuart Jenkins & Nicola Scadden (Hampton SC)
4th Jabberwocky (1950) Dana Church & Phil Abbey (Tamesis)