Salcombe Gin Merlin Rocket Week 2019 - Day 5

Light cloud cover with the prospect of sun and a light SW breeze greeted the competitors on the penultimate day of the Salcombe Gin Merlin Week.

Green v Black flights. Course sailed: 1,3,1,7

The morning flight had a clash between the leading three teams overall; Richard Whitworth and Jemima Scroggie, the Calverts and the Gilberts.

For the first time this week, the morning gradient gave a true beat to Blackstone against a flood tide providing the quintessential Salcombe race course. The rule book says that the best route is to start on the Portlemouth side beat up the shore passed Mill Bay to get the port lift of Biddle Point into the first mark. Though the town side tempted a few including Matt Biggs and Beka Jones who made it round in sixth, the leaders came from the Portlemouth side.

Early leaders were Tim Fells and Fran Gifford who led to Biddle but were them pipped by Mike and Jane Calvert with the Gilberts and Richard and Jemima in close attention. Over the loop down to Crossways and back the order stayed the same although the leading two extended their lead.

Tim and Fran took the lead into the Bag but then the breeze shut off allowing the chasing group to close right up. Tim and Fran held their nerve to reach the new NW breeze first and lead out to Gerston and back. However, Richard and Jemima and Mike and Jane climbed over them off Tosnos to lead back into the harbour and up to the line.

Matt and Beka came through to fourth ahead of Roger and Jane Gilbert with Jon Turner and Richard Parslow climbing up to sixth.

Salcombe Gin Merlin Rocket Week 2019 day 5 afternoon race - photo © Malcolm Mackley

Blue v Red flights. Course sailed: 1,4,6,5,7,2,3

By the afternoon the sun was out and the sea breeze had built to a good force 3-4 giving wonderful sailing conditions. PRO Simon Dobson set a classic tour of the harbour and competitors were able to enjoy the best sail of the week.

Early excitement produced a general recall catching Alan Warren and Olly Turner (for the third time) on the board of shame. The fleet were away cleanly for the second time of asking with young local hot shot Pete Ballentine with Rob Allen leading to Blackstone. They were followed around by Taxi and Pippa Kilsby and Christian Birrell and Sam Brearey who had a gybing battle down the harbour.

By Yalton, Taxi and Pippa had established a lead that they were never to relinquish. Behind them there was a ding dong battle between Christian/Sam, Si Blake and Phil Dalby and Will and Arthur Henderson but it was Alex Jackson and Mary Henderson who came through to give chase to Taxi and Pippa.

The tour down to Frogmore and out to Gerston was a lot of fun but resulted in little change. There was enough breeze in the Bag to avoid any late crisis. Taxi and Pippa took their second cannon but their run for the title may be just a little too late. Alex and Mary are very much in the mix with a second. Christian and Sam kept ahead of Will and Arthur with Si and Phil getting the better of Pete and Rob.

Going into the final day are still a number of teams who can win; Richard and Jemima can score between 6 and 10 points, Mike and Jane between 8 and 10 points, Alex and Mary between 8 and 19 points, Taxi and Pippa between 10 and 17 points and Roger and Jane between 10 and 15 points. All except Richard and Jemima are racing in the morning when there is a NW forecast which can be very messy in the harbour. It should be box office!

Salcombe Gin Merlin Rocket Week 2019 day 5 afternoon race - photo © Malcolm Mackley

Results after day 5:

Salcombe Gin Merlin Rocket Week 2019 day 5 morning race - photo © Malcolm Mackley