Vintage Merlins race in the DeMay series at Hunts Sailing Club
by Mike Liggett 21 May 2014 22:19 BST
3 May 2014
Vintage Merlins racing at Hunts as part of the 'De May' series © Nicola Evans
A select fleet of 6 Merlins from across the country took to the water at the Hunts SC 'De May' series event on 3 May. Light flukey winds were forecast which posed course setting problems for Race Officer Andy Alcock.
The first race got underway at 11:00 with Nick Crickmore and Ben Marshall both establishing an early lead, helped by the remainder of the fleet attempting to start the other side of the Committee Boat! Nick continued to draw away from the remainder of the fleet and finished well ahead of Ben.
Following lunch conditions remained light and flukey and it was decided to run the remaining two races back to back. Nick Crickmore sailing the iconic "Nitro" took line honours in both races followed this time, a little more closely, by Ben Marshall in "Pooh", a Mk. XII.
Third overall on elapsed times was Mike Liggett from the host club in "Squirrel" a Holt Riant. However, application of the DeMay handicap enabled Mike to topple Nick from the podium top spot.
Overall Results:
| Posn. | Sail No. | Helm | Crew | Club |
|---|
| 1 | 235 | Mike Liggett | Errol Brackstone | Hunts |
| 2 | 2972 | Nick Crickmore | Richard Holmes | Waveney & O B |
| 3 | 1198 | Ben Marshall | Sel Shah | Thames |
| 4 | 1066 | Tim Bury | Pat Kuenzler | Banbury |
| 5 | 723 | Mervyn Allen | Lora Stock | Tamesis |
| 6 | 2410 | Ian Laing | Andrew Hunt | Hollingworth |
See also the latest results for the DeMay series overall.