Aspire Merlin Rocket Nationals at Lyme Regis Sailing Club - Day 4

Aspire Merlin Nationals at Lyme Regis day 4 © Pauline Rook

The fourth day of the Merlin Championships was as tricky as a tricky thing that has decided to be particularly tricky.

A light SSW with very variable and patchy pressure along with irregular shifts had a lot of good sailors scratching their heads. With two races sailed, consistency was hard to find as demonstrated by Ben and Roz McGrane (26, 3) and Will and Mary Henderson (2, 24). Some top teams really struggled with defending Champions Nick Craig and Tobytastic Lewis accumulating 46 points on the day.

After a Black Flag General Recall, which captured Jon Gorringe and Pete Gray, the fleet were away with some boats capturing a line of pressure and shooting out of the line and others struggling to get pace on. Those that played the left came in ahead with William Warren and Alice Rook leading around the top mark. Christian Birrell and Sam Brearey were close behind followed by local septuagenarian legend Dan Alsop sailing with Cameron Moss.

On the run, those that help a higher line to the right of the run profited with Christian and Sam coming through with a good lead that they were able to extend to the line for their fourth bullet of the week. Will and Mary Henderson were going well to take second ahead of the very quick Simon and Ally Potts. Of the leading contenders, Roger Gilbert and James Stewart were consistent again in fourth ahead of Mike and Jane Calvert.

Aspire Merlin Nationals at Lyme Regis day 4 - photo © Pauline Rook

For the second race of the day, there was marginally more pressure and it was again those who played left of middle who came in ahead. Mike and Jane led around the top mark and were then in the comfortable position of extending while covering the chasing pack. Simon and Ally were again in the hunt and completed a great day with a second ahead of Ben and Roz McGrane. Taxi and Alex Warren took fourth ahead of the ever-consistent Roger and James.

Back in the pack and demonstrating mortality for the first time this week, Christian and Sam came home in 18th. This result opens up the overall standings as, with their BFD yesterday and only one discard, Roger and James have taken the lead and Christian and Sam cannot now afford any further slip ups.

Aspire Merlin Nationals at Lyme Regis day 4 - photo © Pauline Rook

Thursday will see the longer distance Ranelagh Trophy race with a forecast of moderate offshore (shifty) winds. It is still all to play for!

Silver Fleet report

What a tricky day!

Once again an elder statesman took line honours in race 6 in the shape of local Dan Alsop crewed by the significantly younger Cameron Moss in the also fairly ancient Gangsta Paradise. James Wells and Anna Aylwood also took a wooden boat into the chocolates by coming second with the consistent team of Sophie and Claire bringing in third.

The second race on the day (race 8) saw a welcome increase in wind but still not really hiking conditions. Sophie and Claire re - stamped their authority on the silver jerseys by winning again from yet another elder statesman Pat Blake crewed by wife Jilly. Ben Jones and Helen Hilditch held third.

With two races to go it's Sophie and Claire's series to lose with Sam and Leanne lying second and Pat and Jilly Blake third.

Bronze Fleet report

Day 4 of the Aspire Merlin Rocket National Championships and Bronze Fleet encountered the washing machine of Lyme bay- Race 6 started under the dreaded black flag after two recalls, and the short chop proved to the liking of Paul Dean/Szymon Matyjaszczuk who sailed to an outstanding 23rd place, Mark Smyth/Julie Cronshaw also enjoyed unprecedented success in 30th beating Ben Archer/Theo Harris by two places.

Race 8 also saw some boats going home early as the black flag did its work but the breeze had freshened by 5 knots and the waves also built, not enough to discomfort Paul and Szymon who were first again despite a battle to finish ahead of Ben and Theo who sailed an excellent race pulling back 23 places to finish 37th. They were followed in by John Cooper/Beci Wigley in 40th.

This was a day of constant close racing throughout the whole fleet which tested all the sailors skills to the max, but Paul and Szymon still lead Bronze Fleet ahead of Ben and Theo with two more races to go...

Results after Day 4: