Aspire Merlin Rocket Nationals at Lyme Regis Sailing Club - Overall

What a cracking way to end a Championships! Lyme Regis delivered absolutely epic conditions for the final race – clear blue skies and a F4-6 Westerly with great waves and screaming toenail reaches.

Going into the ninth race when the second discard came in, Christian Birrell and Sam Brearey had one hand on the trophy and needed to finish in the top 15 if their nearest rivals were to win.

Conditions at the start were 15-16 knots but swinging over 20 degrees making the decision of which end to start problematic. At the gun, with the fleet getting their first clean start under U for a few days, the wind had gone left and those early onto port were again easily crossing the pack at the committee boat end. Initially right was looking good but just as in the previous race a big lefty, maybe accentuated by a rain storm out on the left side, brought those who had played the left side flying in with big grins.

Leaders at the top mark were Chris Jennings and Oli Wells who had rung the bell out left. Of the leading contenders, Christian and Sam were in the leading group having kept a loose cover on Roger Gilbert and James Stewart. The Calverts were back in the pack.

Over the next two laps, as the wind built, Ben and Roz McGrane got into gear in the conditions they love and worked their way into the lead. While conditions were starting to take a few casualties, with the odd front runner hitting the tide, Christian and Sam were comfortable.

On the final beat, Sam and Megan Pascoe hit hard left to come right up to challenge for the lead, but Ben and Roz just hung on to take their first race win for six years. Taxi and Alex Warren were third with the first three finishing within a few seconds. Andy Dalby and Pete Horn also hit hard left to claw their way up into fourth ahead of Christian and Sam.

So the Merlin Rocket title goes to Christian Birrell and Sam Brearey who have put on a masterclass of top flight sailing. A beautifully prepared boat, confident in their settings in all conditions combined with excellent race craft have put them head and shoulders above a hugely talented fleet.

Many congratulations to Christian and Sam and also to Lyme Regis Sailing Club who have put on a top class event. A huge amount of effort has gone on behind the scenes to make the event a success with many veteran Merlin sailors heavily involved in the organisation and delivery of the event. Race Management under the leadership of Nigel Denchfield has been top class and shore side the organisation has been top notch. The class's own Ian MacKenzie has put his life and soul into the delivery of the event and everyone should be proud of their achievements.

Finally, our Sponsors, Aspire Financial Services, Winder Boats, Magic Marine, Creation Covers, Dinghytech, HD Sails, Harken and English Braids and all the sailing clubs who provided barrels of beer after racing, have made it an event to remember.

Silver Fleet report (from Chris Martin)

Going into the last race it was very much down to Sophie Mackley and Claire Mills to hang onto the silver title.

With strong forecast this looked to be a tall order though it would take a catastrophe to wrest it from them.

The change in conditions did bring a change in fortunes with the race won by Chris Martin and Samuel Bailey finally sorting themselves out in time for the last race. Second were Tim Harridge and Lucy Burn with yet another elder statesman, Graham Scroggie, third crewed by son Ben.

Overall Sophie and Claire's 11th in the silver fleet was not disaster enough to lose them the Holt Plate. Second were Sam and Leanne Thompson with Pat and Jilly Blake just pipping Chris and Samuel into third place.

Bronze Fleet report

The forecast for the last day of the Aspire Merlin Rocket National Championships was always breezy and the 20knt + WNW wind provided some classic, if shifty, Lyme bay conditions. There was a high attrition rate with 15 boats from the fleet retiring, notably the Bronze Series leader had to come in for an early shower due to gear failure. For those who stayed out it was a grand day out, and Ben Archer / Theo Harris found the waves to their liking, ending the week on a high with their third bronze fleet race win of the week. Fraser Earle / Katie Frost finished second with big grins on their faces and third was Robin Charles / Nick Medlicott who hadn't featured thus far in the Bronze Fleet top three. The Bronze Fleet overall leaders and Winners of the Maurice Cockerill Trophy, Paul and Szymon well deserved their overall victory after a truly epic week.

Bring on Looe 2019.

Overall Results:
If you finished in the top ten at the Merlin Rocket nationals then enter your Gear Guide information here