Aspire 72nd Merlin Rocket Championship at Pwllheli - Day 1

Aspire Merlin Rocket Championship at Pwllheli day 1 © Simon / Aspire Financial Advisers

Day one of the Aspire Merlin Rocket national championship got off to a quiet start in a breeze that barely exceeded 5 knots.

Despite the efforts of the pin boat team, the pin end was certainly favoured and most of the boats in the pound seats at the windward mark came from around that area as Nick Craig and Alan Roberts rounded first of a gaggle of "seeds" and one or two Silver fleet wild cards!

Nick and Alan may have led for the entire race, but the sausage-triangle course certainly kept the fleet together and no position could be taken for granted on this day of snakes and ladders.

So the results of Selden Sunday put Nick and Alan at the top of the leader board with Sam and Megan Pascoe in second and Caroline Coft and Matt Lulham-Robinson in third.

The Silver fleet was hotly contested with Chris Martin and Oliver Maclean winning the group posting a nosebleed inspiring 11th place.

Bronze fleet winners were Steve Harling and Eleanor Thomas in 24th place overall.

Looking to the future of the sport the first of the sponsored NSSA entries were April Whitley and Hazel Newport posting a 31st is this highly competitive fleet.

The Rooster Endeavour award was won by Karen Hiles and John Hodge.

The sun shone on us today, hopefully the wind will come to join us tomorrow.

Results after Day 1:

Further details at merlinrocketchamps.com