Merlin Rocket Craftinsure Silver Tiller Round 3 at Chichester Yacht Club
by Megan Pascoe 25 Mar 11:34 GMT
23 March 2019
After many weeks of big breeze Chichester was the first Silver Tiller of the year held in under 20 knots. With 37 boats and spring tides it was going to be a fun packed day out.
The course was a figure of 8 course which was novel. The fleet launched into the famous black mud and not a lot of water especially around the back of the committee boat.
Race 1 started on the second attempt with the McGrane's and Pascoe's leading round the first lap. Taxi and Pippa and Roger and James were close behind and it was Taxi who sailed through the front two to win the race comfortably.
Race 2 followed a similar pattern but with the Pott's showing their new machine is working finishing third.
By race 3 the tide had turned causing a lot of short tacking up the banks. The river/estuary sailors took charge with Will and Arthur Henderson leading the charge and Olly Turner with Rosie Sibthorp and Graham Cranford-Smith with Rob Langley rounding inside the top six. The Pascoe's had a lucky gamble in a right shift to get ahead of Will and Arthur and Taxi and Pippa but Will got ahead down the next run and held off Taxi to take the race win.
James Wells and Nikki Bass were having a good sail in the new boat until the pole decided to take Nikki out. Tim Harridge in the General Lee was going for youngest crew with Robbie Harriburn doing a great job in the front-end age 9. Family battles were going on, on the water with the Warren/Mackley family having three boats out with some tight battles. Alex Warren and Will Carroll coming out on top of the family battle. The other family battle was the Henderson's also with three boats with Will and Arthur after their race win winning that family battle. Taxi and Pippa racked up another Silver Tiller win. It was great to see Ben and Roz out again comfortably in second and Sam and Megan in third. 1st Silver Fleet boat went to Alex and Will. 1st Bronze Fleet boat was Nigel Brooke and Tim Roden from Lymington Town.
Thanks to Chichester Yacht Club for another great Silver Tiller event and for making the link with many launching from Itchenor work so well.
The Silver 2019 is sponsored by Craftinsure, with Magic Marine the class clothing partner offering member discounts throughout the year.