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Salcombe Gin Merlin Rocket Week 2019 - Day 1

by Tim Fells 7 Jul 2019 18:16 BST 7-12 June 2019

The long awaited 62nd episode of Salcombe Merlin Week kicked off under cloudy skies. After a beautiful Salcombe summer day on Saturday spent transferring boats across to Mill Bay in a building sea breeze, the conditions for race one looked distinctly problematic.

A very light north easterly was dying in the estuary while the cloud cover did not promise any thermal heating. PRO David Greening wisely put up a postponement flag, at which point the wind promptly switched 180 degrees and started to fill in from the SSW.

Red v Green flights. Course sailed 1,7,1,3

With the start of the ebb forming under them and the breeze filling in, the fleet lined up early and in the rush to the line five boats were black flagged, your correspondent amongst them, cursing my over-excitement.

Pushing out early towards Mill Bay, Richard Whitworth (who had only secured an entry two weeks earlier) and Jemima Scroggie from Parkstone tacked to cross the fleet and then held a nice lead into Blackstone. Also going very nicely were Alex Jackson and Mary Henderson while another front runner, Tim Saxton and Holly Scott in their shiny new JT special, were pulled on the Board of Doom.

Richard knows his way around the harbour, having won the week previously, and was able to hold a very comfortable lead all the way until the final beat to the line. Alex and Mary came steaming up to challenge for the lead while the Chrises Gould and Kilsby also made a late run for the gun. Richard held on by a couple of boat lengths to take the first cannon of the week from Alex/Mary and the Chrises overlapped on the line.

Taxi and Pippa Kilsby, who had been in the teens around Blackstone, chipped away to come through in fourth ahead of Simon and Ally Potts with Jenn and Chris Dodds closing out the top six narrowly ahead of Dave Winder and Liv Bell.

Blue v Black flights. Course sailed 1,7,1,3,2,3

For the afternoon race the wind remained in the SW giving a true beat to Blackstone and had enough puff to have both helm and crew hiking hard at times. With the ebb tide now in full flow, the fleet hit the line early with a large number of boats looking over. John Turner and Richard Parslow were the most prominent and while they led to Blackstone their glory was short lived. It was a lengthy Board of Doom and counted Christian Birrell and Sam Brearey, pre-event favourites, amongst its number.

On the run back up harbour, local hero Will Henderson sailing with son Arthur was first from the leading pack to cross at the Ferry and with his expert knowledge of the estuary was able to extend a healthy lead on the trip to Gerston and back. For a long time it looked like it could be a home club 1-2 with Pete Ballentine and Rob Allen going very nicely. Dan Willet and Pete Nicholson from Brightlingsea were also have a stellar race and took second place for a while.

The chasing bunch was very tight and on the final run to Crossways, Roger and Jane Gilbert had got their noses through into second. However, Mike and Jane Calvert were on the charge and on the final tack to the line just got their bow forward of Roger and Jane to take second.

William Warren, another previous winner of the week, sailing with Alice Rook had kept close to the leading group all the way round and slipped through into fourth on the line with Anthony and Jo Gifford also finishing strongly in fifth. Dan and Pete rounded out the top six.

There was a disappointing result for defending champions Si Blake and Phil Dalby down in 13th, however Si has just stepped off a plane from his home in Australia so should improve with some sleep!

The forecast for the week ahead is for a continuation of the light breezes from the easterly quadrant though with more sunshine there is a chance of some sea breeze action.

Results after Day 1:

PosSail NoFlightHull colourBoat NameHelmCrewClubR1R2Pts
1st3726BlueBlueArwenWill HendersonArthur HendersonSalcombe Yacht Club(DNC)11
2nd3703GrenBlackFaithlessRichard WhitworthJemima ScroggieParkstone Yacht Club1(DNC)1
3rd3691BlackBlueQuick FixMike CalvertJane CalvertAxe Yacht Club(DNC)22
4th3795RedBlueGoonAlex JacksonMary HendersonShoreham Sailing Club2(DNC)2
5th3722BlackGreyStealthRoger GilbertJane GilbertFrensham Pond Sailing Club(DNC)33
6th3803GreenWhiteClose coverChris GouldChris KilsbyMidland Sailing Club3(DNC)3
7th3796BlueBlue/whiteROBERTAWilliam WarrenAlice HappleShoreham Sailing Club(DNC)44
8th3684RedBlack/greyKeyser SozeAndy DavisPippa KilsbySouth Staffs Sailing Club4(DNC)4
9th3676BlueBlueHot TottyAntony GiffordJo GiffordRoyal Tay YC(DNC)55
10th3802GreenGreyKhazeesiSimon PottsAlly PottsBurghfield SC5(DNC)5
11th3775BlackWhiteNight FuryDaniel WillettPete NicholsonBrigtlingsea Sailing Club(DNC)66
12th3735RedGreyThe Phantom MenaceJenny DoddsChris DoddsNottingham Sailing Club6(DNC)6
13th3742BlueBlueSpeed MachinePeter BallantineRob AllenSalcombe Yacht Club(DNC)77
14th3781RedGreyThe Force AwakensDavid WinderLiv BellHollingworth Lake Sailing Club7(DNC)7
15th3791BlackBlueDidley SquatJon GorringeKat FrostParkstone Yacht Club(DNC)88
16th3673RedWhiteThe OldieCaroline CroftTom LonsdaleBartley Sailing Club8(DNC)8
17th3658BlackWhiteBernardChris JenningsJohn HackettBurghfield SC(DNC)99
18th3752BlueBlackThe Empire Strikes BackWill RaineyLiese ScottRYA9‑309
19th3801BlackGreyPokeyMatthew BiggsBeka JonesBlithfield Sailing Club(DNC)1010
20th3678GreenBlack/WhiteNoraSteve CrookSally TownendSouth Staffs Sailing Club10(DNC)10
21st3799BlueGreySimply ScrumptiousPaul RaysonChris HillSalcombe Yacht Club(DNC)1111
22nd3671GreenBlackSnakey BPiers LambertJohnny RadcliffeBrightlingsea Sailing Club11(DNC)11
23rd3738BlueBlackSuperfast JellyfishSimon BlakePhil DalbyCookham Reach Sailing Club(DNC)1212
24th3777GreenGreyMockingjayGeorge YeomanSophie OrmsbyItchenor Sailing Club12(DNC)12
25th3785BlueBlueRocket ScienceNick CharlesChristian HumphriesDatchet Water Sailing Club(DNC)1313
26th3539RedGreyGansta ParadiseDan AlsopBen AlsopLyme Regis Sailing Club13(DNC)13
27th3746Blue Point n SquirtJames WellsNikki BassStarcross YC(DNC)1414
28th3696RedWhiteTiger TigerAlexander WarrenSophie PenwardenShoreham Sailing Club14(DNC)14
29th3716BlackYellowCarbon FootprintSteven LeneyGillian LeneyBlithfield Sailing Club(DNC)1515
30th3659RedGreenJulian ParryJulian ParryEvan ParryHollingworth Lake Sailing Club15(DNC)15
31st3627BlackWhiteSnorterAlex JonesAlice MarkhamCookham Reach Sailing Club(DNC)1616
32nd3771RedBlueSkipLaurie SmartAlex PauseyUpper Thames Sailing Club16(DNC)16
33rd3772BlueGreenVellelaPhil EmeryKaren EmeryWhitstable Sailing Club(DNC)1717
34th3679RedGreenDaddy's boatNick HeginbothamZoe ParryHolingworth Lake Sailing Club17(DNC)17
35th3641BlueBlue WhitePuff the magic dragonMark WaterhouseMat CurrellParkstone Yacht Club(DNC)1818
36th3786GreenGreyDorisDave WadeDave HallNorthampton Sailing Club18(DNC)18
37th3624BlueBlue WhiteStab in the darkPhil MasonJamie MasonBlithfield Sailing Club(DNC)1919
38th3734RedBlackThe Black BoatPhil AshworthAli AshworthWeymouth Sailing Club19(DNC)19
39th3725BlackBlueIsland GirlAndrew SquireFiona Cranford SmithSalcombe Yacht Club(DNC)2020
40th3789GreenBlueOff‑pisteNick ScroggieEdward ScroggieParkstone Yacht Club20(DNC)20
41st3769BlackGreyThe Mighty DiscipleGraham Cranford SmithRob LangleySalcombe Yacht Club(DNC)2121
42nd3748GreenGreyWhite TigerNigel BrookeSuzie BrookeLymington Town Sailing Club21(DNC)21
43rd3621BlackBlueRaunchyTristram SquireGeorge AlexanderSalcombe Yacht Club(DNC)2222
44th3647RedBlueLiquid DreamsHywel Bowen‑PerkinsLucy PenwardenSalcombe Yacht Club22(DNC)22
45th3727BlueGreyFragileMark StockbridgeEddy AtkinsRanelagh Sailing Club(DNC)2323
46th3648GreenBlueBang tidyAntonia BullJamie WrightShoreham Sailing Club23(DNC)23
47th3784BlackBlueStrung AlongTony JohnsonLouise JohnsonLymington Town Sailing Club(DNC)2424
48th3657GreenBlueRevolutionAnthony LoftsFrancesca LoftsSalcombe Yacht Club24(DNC)24
49th3598BlackBlack/whiteBah humbugRobert SmithLuke MooreSalcombe Yacht Club(DNC)2525
50th3790RedBluePointerColin BrockbankHannah BurtWembley Sailing Club25(DNC)25
51st3560BlueRedLukaStuart JenkinsImogen JenkinsHampton Sailing Club(DNC)2626
52nd3672RedWhiteBola BolaJohn CooperHilary BradshawWhitstable Sailing Club26(DNC)26
53rd3715BlueBlackTruly ScrumptiousRichard CookeRussell HallWembley Sailing Club(DNC)2727
54th3702GreenBlueSalmon en crouteDuncan SalmonHarriet SalmonSalcombe Yacht Club27(DNC)27
55th3705BlueBlueTwo pints of lagerGeoff WrightNoelle WirghtBlithfield Sailing Club(DNC)2828
56th3675RedWhiteWhite sauce er erDavid CroftAbigail CroftRYA28(DNC)28
57th3690BlueOrangeGeneral LeeTim HarridgeLucy HarridgeLymington Town Sailing Club(DNC)2929
58th3794GreenGrey orangeIchthysJulian HarmsRobyn BaranowiczMidland Sailing Club29(DNC)29
59th3714RedBlueKevinAlan MarkhamSue MarkhamUpper Thames Sailing Club30(DNC)30
60th3730BlueBlueBlood sweat and beersPaul HollisPaula MasonBlithfield Sailing Club(DNC)3131
61st3766GreenBlue/yellowThe BearAndy DalbyPete HornTrent Valley Sailing Club31(DNC)31
62nd3622Black EdgeChristian HamiltonMichael HamiltonOxford Sailing Club(DNC)3232
63rd3782Green Team DakineJason AndrewsZeb ElliottEastbourne Sailing Club32(DNC)32
64th3761BlueGreyBeast QuestDavid BurseyFrances BurseyParkstone Yacht Club(DNC)3333
65th3804RedBlueRockatrossJohn FildesCharlotte FildesAlderney Sailing Club33(DNC)33
66th3587BlackWhiteMistralHenry MasonBelinda MasonBlithfield Sailing Club(DNC)3434
67th3723RedGreenVitesseGeoff KimberHelen KimberStone Sailing Club34(DNC)34
68th3805BlackGreyArbuckleMark ReddingtonVanessa PaschkeBartley Sailing Club(DNC)3535
69th3745RedGreyOutnumberedPaul DeanSarah RobertsWembley Sailing Club35(DNC)35
70th3518BlackRedSmoked SalmonTimothy HarmsAmelia LittleMidland Sailing Club(DNC)3636
71st3576RedBlueCarmen JSteve ConroyAnna RaysonFishers Green Sailing Club36(DNC)36
72nd3644BlueRedMarleneJon BloicePhilippa BloiceWhitstable Sailing Club(DNC)3737
73rd3710Green Paradigm ShiftChris DownhamAndrea DownhamCastaways SC37(DNC)37
74th3651BlueBlue Kieran O'FarrellWill SmithWembley Sailing Club(DNC)3838
75th3511GreenRedHeaven SentAndrew MillsEllie MillsHampton Sailing Club38(DNC)38
76th3800BlackBlueBramblesRichard BramleyTony ChealShoreham Sailing Club(DNC)3939
77th3697GreenPurpleToo dark and stormyRichard PageLucy Cooper/Lizzy DalbyHampton Sailing Club39(DNC)39
78th3567BlackTorquoiseFat boy slimMartin SmithKaren BestonBlithfield Sailing Club(DNC)4040
79th3589RedRedFat bottom girlJohn HollandsAlexandra ParkerHampton Sailing Club40(DNC)40
80th3341BlueWhiteAvalancheJohn HeathNicola ScaddenHampton Sailing Club(DNC)4141
81st3682GreenGreyRed WizardJonathan StewardAnnabel StewardFishers Green Sailing Club41(DNC)41
82nd3561BlueWhiteSnortingJoe ShawSel ShahWembley Sailing Club(DNC)4242
83rd3604GreenPale BlueDesafinadoTimothy BarrHarry NewtonThames Sailing Club42(DNC)42
84th3348BlackRedWaspSimon EvansLaura EvansSalcombe Yacht Club(DNC)4343
85th3463RedPinkSmoke on the waterJonathan CowperAbby FreelyHunts Sailing Club43(DNC)43
86th3470BlackGreenRoaring FortiesGeorge DalbyRobert SloneTrent Valley Sailing Club(DNC)4444
87th3662Green Attack of the ClonesMike WhitehouseKaren WhitehouseSalcombe Yacht Club44(DNC)44
88th3547BlackBlueMoondance AssasinPeter MaleChristine MaleBlithfield Sailing Club(DNC)4545
89th3713RedBlueDuck and diveSteve HarlingSarah RobertsStarcross YC45(DNC)45
90th3555BlackBlueLight FantasticIan MacKenzieNigel DenchfieldMidland Sailing Club(DNC)4646
91st3588Green MerliniumChris ScottGuy ScottBolton Sailing Club46(DNC)46
92nd3586BlackGreyShadowplayKieron MasonGeorge MasonBlithfield Sailing Club(DNC)4747
93rd3706RedGreyMonkey PuzzleKevin AndersonAnna AylwardSalcombe Yacht Club47(DNC)47
94th3599BlueRedHarryNigel CooperEllen CooperHampton Sailing Club(DNC)4848
95th3717GreenGrey/Maroon John GreenWilliam AndersonWembley Sailing Club48(DNC)48
96th2410BlackWhiteAttila the HuntIan LaingAndrew HuntHolingworth Lake Sailing Club(DNC)4949
97th3751RedBlueNarniaHuw ReynoldsLiz NorthWhitstable Sailing Club49(DNC)49
98th3333GreenWhitePreciousJohn N B AdamsZoe AdamsTamesis Sailing Club50(DNC)50
99th3636GreenRedCarmenMike JenningsZoe JenningsHayling Island Sailing Club51(DNC)51
100th2663GreenBlueTyraranosaurus RexChris HaworthJoanne HaworthBlackpool and Fleetwood Yacht Club52(DNC)52
101st3762RedBlueRimonimMalcolm HyamsMarina GoshinovaMidland Sailing Club53(DNC)53
102nd3764GreenBlueFancy LiquorTim FellsFrances GiffordSalcombe Yacht Club(BFD)DNC61
102nd3773BlueWhiteNo. Thirty FourAlan Kemp WarrenWilliam CarrollShoreham Sailing Club(DNC)BFD61
102nd3774BlackBlackBlack PantherJon TurnerRichard ParslowLyme Regis Sailing Club(DNC)BFD61
102nd3788BlueBlueBlue my mindChristian BirrellSam BreareyWPNSA(DNC)BFD61
102nd3756RedBlueROBERTSophie MackleyJames WardShoreham Sailing Club(BFD)DNC61
102nd3757GreenBlueTo the Moon and backAndy PostleLisa PostleSalcombe Yacht Club(BFD)DNC61
102nd3807RedGreyBazingaTim SaxtonHolly ScottItchenor Sailing Club(BFD)DNC61
102nd3731BlackGreyMayhemAndy JonesAmy JonesBurghfield SC(DNC)DNC61
102nd3740BlackBlueWhy ask.Patrick BlakeJilly BlakeCookham Reach Sailing Club(DNC)DNF61
102nd3743GreenYellowPokin’ The TurtleBrendan O'ConnellJanet O'ConnellBlithfield Sailing Club(DNF)DNC61
102nd3721RedGreyHighlanderNick TurnerCarly GurrStarcross YC(BFD)DNC61
102nd3704BlueGreyFactory MaidJemma HorwoodSimon WorsfoldThames Sailing Club(DNC)BFD61
102nd       (DNC)DNC61
102nd3530BlackYellowSir TopazMike CollesSarah CrabtreeMidland Sailing Club(DNC)WAY61
102nd3534GreenWoodValley FreightJohn DalbyAnthony LarderTrent Valley Sailing Club(WAY)DNC61
102nd3602BlueGreenAmbienceMartin EvansChris EvansCookham Reach Sailing Club(DNC)WAY61
102nd3652RedMauveTime and TideJohn BellSuzie BellHampton Sailing Club(DNC)DNC61
102nd3656BlueBlueWild CardOlly TurnerSam MottersheadStarcross YC(DNC)BFD61
102nd3686BlackGreyIFJeremy DeaconMichel JanowiczBroadwater Sailing Club(DNC)BFD61
102nd3687BlueYellowMellow YellowMatt GreenfieldRob HendersonChew Valley Lake Sailing Club(DNC)BFD61

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