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Craftinsure Merlin Rocket Silver Tiller Round 1 at Burghfield Sailing Club

by Ian Sharps 10 Mar 2020 11:16 GMT 7 March 2020
Andy and Maddie Jones on a tight reach during Merlin Rocket Craftinsure Silver Tiller Round 1 at Burghfield © Mike Proven

Another year starts for the Merlin Rocket Craftinsure Silver Tiller, first up was Burghfield Sailing Club.

The recent storms had thankfully stopped, and we were left with a nice 10 - 15 mph SSW. As always, the Merlin sailors were keen to get the season started with the majority turning up early to ensure all their work on their boats was up to standard.

All the boats were looking good (I might be biased though!). There are some nice little fettles across the fleet this winter. Of note Andy Davis/Pip Kilsby were sailing with a new mast and boom combo, which did not slow them down, and may be worrying for the rest of us.

The race officer James Anderson and team did an excellent job of setting a mix of windward-leeward, and "around the cans" courses. To be honest the racing was a blur to me, I remember beating, running and reaching. There was a lot of place changing with ever changing wind shifts and pressure.

The highlights from my point of view were as follows:

  • Andy / Pip sailed very well and consistently throughout the day to take the overall win.
  • Chris Gould / Caroline Croft seemed to get better and better, especially in the afternoon taking a win in the last race, for a 2nd overall.
  • Fran Gifford / Pete Nicholson sailed an excellent day showing a dangerous mix of speed and tactical nouse.
  • James Wells / Hannah Burt (3746) won the silver fleet. They seemed to really get to grips with Burghfield in the second half.
  • Joe Mclaughlin / Sean Roberts (3724) won the bronze fleet
In addition, we were sampling the delights of being tracked by SailRacer. This meant there is really is nowhere to hide. Lots of people reviewed the tracks saying, "why did I tack there?"

All focus for Andy Davis and Pippa Kilsby as they take Merlin Rocket Craftinsure Silver Tiller Round 1 at Burghfield - photo © Mike Proven
All focus for Andy Davis and Pippa Kilsby as they take Merlin Rocket Craftinsure Silver Tiller Round 1 at Burghfield - photo © Mike Proven

Over the four races the furthest distance sailed went to Jon Steward / Russel Hall (3770) at 16 Miles. The fastest 20 second average speed in the morning was Chris Martin / Oliver McClellan (3787) at 7.78 KTS and Richard Coulter / Nick Yan (3774) at 7.26 KTS in the afternoon.

Thanks to Burghfield and the Merlin Rocket title sponsors Craftinsure. Thank you also to Mike Proven for the fantastic photographs.

Overall Results:

PosFleetHelmCrew NameSail numberBoatClubR1R2R3R4Pts
1stGoldAndy DavisPippa Kilsby3735Keyser SozeBlithfield SC111‑23
2ndGoldChris GouldCaroline Croft3803Black SwanBlithfield SC4‑5217
3rdGoldIan SharpsAlex Warren3712Oakey dokeyBurghfield SC524‑711
4thGoldMatt BiggsTom Pygall3801 Blithfield & Whitstable SC‑773313
5thGoldFrances GiffordPete Nicholson3676Hot TottyRanelagh SC63‑11413
6thGoldSimon PottsHolly McArthur3802KhaleesiBurghfield SC2‑95815
7thGoldRoger PhillipsChris Kilsby3736MetachrosisBurghfield SC‑948517
8thGoldJon GorringeMimi Gorringe3791Didley SquatMidland SC86‑14620
9thGoldChris JenningsChris Martin3658BernardBurghfield SC3117(DNC)21
10thGoldDavid WinderPete Horn3781 Hollingsworth SC15106(DNC)31
11thGoldRichard WhitworthKatherine Kimber3703 Parkstone & Hollingworth Lake SC‑1212101133
12thGoldRob HendersonAlice Markham3709Wild at HeartLTSC‑178131334
13thSilverJames WellsHannah Burt3746Point N SquirtStarcross YC‑20169934
14thGoldChris MartinOliver McClellan3787QuicksilverMidland SC11‑15121437
15thSilverPaul HollisPaula Mason3730Blood Sweat & BeersBlithfield SC1013‑181639
16thGoldSteven LeneyGill Leney3716CarbonfootprintBlithfield SC14‑19151039
17thSilverChloe GeorgeBen George3683Blue BirdLTSC1314(DNF)1239
18thSilverAndrew JonesMaddie Jones3731 Burghfield SC161816(DNC)50
19thBronzeJoe McLaughlinSean Roberts3724SublimeTamesis1920‑241554
20thSilverMark WaterhouseAnna Aylward3641Puff The Magic DragonParkstone SC2117‑221755
21stBronzeJon StewardRussell Hall3770GertchaFishers Green(DNC)23171858
22ndSilverJohn CooperBecci Wigley3732 LTSC182221(DNC)61
23rdSilverMark BarwellLouise Johnson3784Strung AlongLymington Town SC232119(DNC)63
24thBronzeRichard CoulterNick Yan3774 Fishers Green‑2424231966
25thBronzeMatt SmithAimee Allsopp3442Armed ForcesMidland SC22(DNF)20DNF69
26thBronzeJohn GreenPatricia Hickey3717Vulcan?2525(DNF)DNC77

Victory fist bump for Pippa Kilsby during Merlin Rocket Craftinsure Silver Tiller Round 1 at Burghfield - photo © Mike Proven
Victory fist bump for Pippa Kilsby during Merlin Rocket Craftinsure Silver Tiller Round 1 at Burghfield - photo © Mike Proven

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