Craftinsure Merlin Rocket Silver Tiller Open at Midland Sailing Club

Mike and Jane Calvert win the Merlin Silver Tiller meeting at Midland © Phillip Base

Matt Biggsand Becka Jones take second in the Merlin Silver Tiller meeting at Midland © Phillip Base

Roger Phillips and Will Crocker were third the Merlin Silver Tiller meeting at Midland © Phillip Base

Midland Sailing Club welcomed fifteen visiting boats from as far as Axe and Wembley to join their home fleet at Edgbaston reservoir on Sunday 20th May for the Midland Craftinsure Silver Tiller.

The day was warm with good sunshine; however the wind was not to the same standard with light and very variable winds causing a little frustration for both the race officer and the competitors alike.

The first race started after a half hour postponement and one general recall and got away at twelve noon. The first beat turned into a reach and spinnakers were hoisted to get to the first mark. Mike and Jane Calvert (Axe YC) rounded first ahead of Roger Phillips and Will Crocker (Burghfield SC) with Matt Biggs and Becka Jones (Blithfield SC) in third. The conditions caused the fleet to spread out as the leaders came down a run under spinnaker which then turned into a beat for the following boats. The race finished in this order with Mike and Jane winning by almost five minutes.

After an excellent baked potato lunch and various deserts, the second race got underway cleanly at the second attempt following another general recall. Once again Mike and Jane lead the fleet around a very crowded first mark which remained to windward this time. The wind soon became fickle testing everybody's patience; however it did not slow the progress of Mike and Jane who continued to lead the fleet around a difficult course with more twists and turns than the Brexit negotiations. After several place changes throughout the race, Matt and Becka moved up to second place ahead of Roger and Will and the race finished in that order.

Whilst a few of the fleet stayed ashore for therapy the third and final race got underway. The race officer had a word with the important wind gods and came to an agreement that the wind direction would remain constant. They complied and conditions were a little more steady for a while. Paul Hollis and Paula Mason (Blithfield SC) lead the way round with Matt and Becka breathing down their necks as they approached the finish line. In a tense finish Paul and Paula held on to win by half a boat length, local hero Rob Kennaugh and Sean Anderson (Midland SC) finished third.

The overall winning helmsman Mike Calvert thanked Midland Sailing club for their warm welcome and for the time and patience of everyone involved in making a good day's racing.

The 2018 Silver Tiller is sponsored by Craftinsure, with Magic Marine as the class clothing partner for the 2018 season.

Overall Results: