Craftinsure Merlin Rocket Silver Tiller at Parkstone Yacht Club

by Richard Whitworth 5 Oct 2017 07:31 BST 30 September - 1 October 2017

Parkstone Yacht Club was host for the Craftinsure Silver Tiller on Saturday 30 September to Sunday 1 October, and Taxi and Alex smashed it!

For the first three races it was all over before the first mark, Alex and Taxi shot up the first beats with the rest of the fleet vying for the minor places. Very impressive.

The sausage/triangle courses in the 'top triangle' were fought out in 10-15kts with a few heavier squalls coming through making for a great sail in such a pretty location. We ventured past Brownsea Island (however not as close as Duncan and Harriet at the Inlands!) with a few locals taking a wide berth to gain a few places.

We even bribed James the lead rib driver to take Taxi 'n Alex to the old position of a leeward mark by Sandbanks however they were so far in front that they were able to gybe round and reach/beat back and still lead the fleet. Very impressive.

We played follow my leader with the OD and had a few postponement/cancellations/course resets to ensure some good courses.

A couple of boats had come in with damage, some venturing back out, some with broken helms, some more fundamental transom problemettes.

The free tea and donuts were much appreciated upon coming ashore.

The inclusive 'Sailors Supper' in the club hit the spot with a little light entertainment and the usual lucky Tequila Slammers made an appearance. Some were delighted with their locally sought accommodation with members and the view from the mega bucks house on Sandbanks was spectacular.

Roll on Sunday morning. Several helms (obviously not the crews) were the worse for wear and even sought the company of their pregnant wives early and returned after the first race.

The harbour tour again called by Brownsea followed by a couple of visits to South Deep across the main harbour entrance which made for fascinating racing with tricky snakes and ladders.

Some people knew about Stoney Island, some didn't, some soon found out. I know it's not everyone's cup of tea but a proper tour (without two sail fetches) is a special thing at Parkstone and we had a fun time negotiating the race track with close battles throughout the fleet.

The wind was forecast to build and we weren't disappointed. The chilly final race with a depleted fleet was a great high speed chase, full rake, blast round. Everyone was on the edge with Christian and Sam taking line honours and finishing close to the clubhouse to minimise the yot home.

Thanks go to Parkstone for a well organised event which next year will be in the new clubhouse so one to put in the diary early.

Congrats to Taxi and Alex, smashed it, with Sam and Megs edging second followed by Christian and Sam with the Calverts and Willy plus Mary on the same points for 4th & 5th.

The ST is building to a climax with the Dinner at Hollingworth 28th/29th Oct, another great yot. Book your tickets now to ensure you get a seat at the notorious Felucca evening meal. See you there.

Overall Results:

Pos	Sail No	Helm	Crew	Club	R1	R2	R3	R4	R5	R6	Pts
1st	3684	Andy Daves	Alex Warren	Bartley SC	1	1	1	1	1	‑2	5
2nd	3759	Sam Pascoe	Megan Pascoe	Castle Cove SC	5	‑6	2	2	3	5	17
3rd	3788	Christs Birrell	Sam Breary	Hurn Bay SC	4	4	6	3	‑7	1	18
4th	3691	Mike Calvert	Jane Calvert	Ax YC	2	5	5	4	‑6	4	20
5th	3756	Will Warren	Mary Henderson	Shoreham SC	3	3	3	‑9	8	3	20
6th	3763	Mark Barnes	Alex Horlock	Whitstable YC	6	2	‑7	5	2	6	21
7th	3726	Will Henderson	Rob Henderson	Salcombe YC	7	7	‑10	7	5	9	35
8th	3703	Richard Whitworth	Jemima Scroggie	Parkstone YC	10	10	8	‑11	4	7	39
9th	3539	Dan Alsop	Jennie King	Lyme Regis	11	14	(DNS)	8	9	8	50
10th	3729	Andy Brewer	Denis Brophy	Parkstone YC	‑13	9	9	10	12	11	51
11th	3694	Steve Tyler	Ali Tyler	Parkstone YC	8	13	‑14	14	10	10	55
12th	3685	Sophie Mackly	Tom Ballentine	Shoreham SC	16	11	13	6	13	(DNC)	59
13th	3789	Nick Scroggie	Claire Johnstone	Parkstone YC	17	12	11	13	11	(DNC)	64
14th	3777	Simon Potts	Ian Martin	Burfield SC	14	(RAF)	4	12	DNC	DNC	78
15th	3767	Ben Archer	Andy Currell	Parkstone YC	15	16	15	(DNS)	DNC	DNC	94
16th	3724	Jo Mclaughlin	Sean Roberts	Temesis	18	15	(DNS)	15	DNC	DNC	96
17th	3791	Jon Gorringe	Nicki Bass	Parkstone YC	(DNS)	8	RET	DNS	DNC	DNC	104
18th	3774	John Turner	Katie Cross	LRSC	9	(UFD)	DNC	DNS	DNC	DNC	105
19th	3740	Pat Blake	Jilly Blake	Cookham Reach SC	(DNC)	DNC	12	RET	DNC	DNC	108
20th	3761	David Bursey	Francis Bursey	Parkstone YC	12	(DNS)	DNC	DNS	DNC	DNC	108
21st	3734	Phil Ashworth	Ali Ashworth	Weymouth	19	(DNS)	DNC	DNS	DNC	DNC	115
22nd	3695	Pete Slack	Amy Hazlehurst	Blithfield SC	20	(DNF)	RET	DNS	DNC	DNC	116
23rd	3585	John Fildes	Charlotte Fildes	Oldborough YC	(RET)	DNF	DNC	DNS	DNC	DNC	120