Merlin Rocket Open Meeting at Upper Thames Sailing Club

Upper Thames Merlin Rocket Open © Tony Ketley

Upper Thames Sailing Club was pleased to host a single day Merlin Rocket De May and Thames Series event on Saturday 12th September 2020. With the races run from the frontage due to the current restrictions, we were blessed with a beautiful day and a fairly steady breeze from the west, blowing straight down the river.

Race one got under way with a clean start, although a little line shy for the fleet of 15, but with the added complication of a fleet of rowing sculls returning from downstream, heading for Marlow. The course, a straight windward and leeward mark, saw the fleet beat for a third of a mile upstream in a consistent breeze across the whole of the river. John and Olivia Bell sailing Grand Teton led for two laps, closely followed by Alex Jackson and Arthur Henderson sailing Katy Lou, with John and Ollie Meadowcroft sailing Keto in third. On the third lap, Alex and Arthur took the lead, and won the race, with John and Olivia second and John and Ollie in third. There were similar battles in the middle of the fleet, which provided an entertaining race for the competitors.

Upper Thames Merlin Rocket Open - photo © Tony Ketley

Race two was back-to-back and with the fleet being a little more confident, three boats were over at the starting signal. Unfortunately, Rob and Georgie Cage sailing Hullabalou decided not to come back and were scored OCS. Grand Teton led from Keto in second, with Pat and Jilly Blake sailing Tiercel in third. Katy Lou, having returned at the start, pulled off some impressive moves to claw their way back from fifth on the first lap to first on the second. Alex and Arthur maintained their lead on the final lap to take their second win of the day, with John and Olivia in second, and John and Ollie in third.

Upper Thames Merlin Rocket Open - photo © Tony Ketley

After lunch the race committee decided to have a course change for the Spade Oak Bowl trophy race, with the inclusion of two additional marks to provide a chicane. Having already won the Thames and De May, Alex decided to watch from the bank with his family, and Arthur took the helm with Chris Kilsby crewing. They read the shifts well and maintained a substantial lead throughout the race. Grand Teton followed in second and Martin Hunter and Tim Williams, having decided to change boat for the final race, finished third sailing Quiver. Unfortunately, it was clearly not Rob and Georgie's day, having been in the leading group throughout the day. They retired from the first race after two laps and then had spinnaker issues in the final race, which also resulted in them retiring on the second lap.

Alex Jackson and Arthur Henderson win the Upper Thames Merlin Rocket Open - photo © Tony Ketley

Our thanks go to all the competitors for attending the meeting, the race team, safety boat crews and bar team. The club looks forward to welcoming the fleet back next year, when we hope we are able to host a more normal Covid-free two-day event.

Overall Results:

Spade Oak Bowl Results: