Merlin Rocket Craftinsure Silver Tiller at Salcombe Yacht Club

Merlin Rocket Craftinsure Silver Tiller open meeting at Salcombe © Helen Hilditch

Merlin Rocket Craftinsure Silver Tiller open meeting at Salcombe © Lou Johnson

Paul Hollis and Paula Mason win the Silver fleet in the Merlin Rocket Craftinsure Silver Tiller open meeting at Salcombe © Lou Johnson

Well, that hurt - both physically and mentally.

Salcombe estuary, 57 Merlins for the Craftinsure Silver Tiller on 13/14 April, Easterly wind ranging from 2 to 25 knots and cold. Flat out reaching with the kite up then running to the leeward side of the boat and back again. It's a long way across a Merlin. Whilst all this is happening there is always a boat right up the transom and you are about to head to a mark under Mill Bay where the last hour's work can all be undone in five minutes. But all incredibly challenging and fun. Sailors keep coming back year on year to see if they can get that magic race or series in a fleet where even if you are racing round in the teens you can be racing round with national champions.

Back to this weekend's racing. Launching was slightly challenging as the wind was funnelling up Batson Creek, but most made it on and off safely although some did not get top marks for their dismounts including me. Some were also a bit too relaxed about launching and with the black flag triangle being the length of the estuary making them miss the first starts of the day.

Saturday's racing was described by one boat like marriage, where you can't get anything right. It was definitely a day of don't give up to the last metre. Richard Whitworth and Jemima Scroggie made the early running with Alex Jackson and Mary Henderson also having a good race. The top five parked at the corner by number 5 and places reversed with the Pascoe's coming out in front, followed by Christian Birrell and Sam Brearey and Chris Gould and Chris Kilsby. A light wind drift from Mill bay to the finish line saw the Pascoe's take the win, just.

Race 2 saw the usual suspects taking the lead but once again Mill Bay caused fun with those from sixth to tenth coming back to the top five. Then where do you go? Up the far shore out of the tide or over the town shore into more wind. Matt Biggs and Beka Jones, Andy 'Taxi' Davis and Pippa Kilsby and former Salcombe week winners Tim Fells and Fran Gifford showed the way by planing at times up the town side. Matt and Beka held onto the lead back to the line.

Craftinsure Merlin Rocket Silver Tiller at Salcombe - photo © Malcolm Mackley

The fleet retired to the bar which is one of the reasons why we come to Salcombe. Sunday saw slightly more wind and more interesting launching. The gusts were coming more downwards than across.

Race 3 was where Taxi and Pippa finally got their win. It was good to see Jenny and Chris Dodds and Will Warren and Alice Rook at the front. Will and Arthur Henderson were also having a good day with a third and a seventh on Sunday. The event went down to the final race between Christian and Sam and Taxi and Pippa. It was Christian and Sam who lead from the front and never looked back to regain their title. Second to seventh was a good battle with boats switching places and ultimately deciding the overall standings.

Craftinsure Merlin Rocket Silver Tiller at Salcombe - photo © John Murrell

Thanks to Salcombe Yacht Club for another great event, their sponsors of Salcombe Gin and Spinlock for the prizes... and if someone could turn up the heat and turn the wind back southerly for Salcombe week we will all be very happy. Here's to another end to one of the largest open meetings on the UK dinghy circuit.

The 2019 Silver Tiller is sponsored by Craftinsure with Magic Marine as the class clothing partner.

See more photos at pgc.pixieset.com/merlinrocketsilvertiller thanks to Paul Gibbins Photography.

Craftinsure Merlin Rocket Silver Tiller at Salcombe - photo © John Murrell

Overall Results:

Craftinsure Merlin Rocket Silver Tiller at Salcombe - photo © John Murrell