Aspire Merlin Rocket National Championships at East Lothian Yacht Club - Day 3

Day three of the Aspire Merlin Rocket Championships at East Lothian Yacht Club was another stunner with yet more sunshine and a solid 15-18knots of breeze from the East. Scotland is really spoiling us.

With a port biased line, and the left side looking best, it was quite busy at the pin end for race five, but the fleet managed to start on the first attempt. This time it was Christian & Sam who had gear failure with a broken boom as well as having to do spins for rear ending Ben & George at the start, which meant it was game over for them today.

Ben & George rang the bell on the left and came in strong to round first ahead of Stu Bithell & Tom Pygall. Rounding third was Ian Dobson & Charlotte Fildes, but they hit the mark and took a spin which allowed Andy Dalby & Mark Oakey to sail into third, followed by Tim Saxton & Mary Henderson in fourth.

Aspire Merlin Rocket National Championships at East Lothian day 3 - photo © Steve Fraser / ELYC

Down the first run Tim & Mary and Ian & Charlotte sailed past Andy & Mark, and by the third upwind leg Stu & Tom fought their way through Ben & George and held the lead to the finish for the Silent World trophy. Second was Ben & George, third was Ian & Charlotte who overtook Tim & Mary in fourth. Ian Sharps & Alex Warren came home in fifth with Dave & Vicky Lenz in sixth.

First Silver fleet was Chris Martin & Sam Bailey, and first bronze fleet was Pat & Jilly Blake.

Aspire Merlin Rocket National Championships at East Lothian day 3 - photo © Steve Fraser / ELYC

Next up and arguably the main event of the Nationals, was the crews race. With scores not counting for the overall results, several teams decided to head in to save their hiking legs for Big Wednesday. With a much more relaxed start line, fewer boats and probably a better standard of sailing, the battle for the coveted crews race trophy begun.

First to the windward mark was Fran Gifford & Tim Fells, second was George Yeoman & Ben Saxton, third was Alex Warren & Ian Sharps, fourth was Oliver Rayner & Dave Winder. Fran & Tim held on to the lead for the duration to take the victory with George & Ben in second and Alex & Ian in third.

There looked to be a real battle for fourth place which was Ollie Meadowcroft & Sophie Mackley, followed by Oliver Rayner & Dave Winder in fifth and Chris Kilsby & Alex Jackson in sixth.

Crews Race:

Aspire Merlin Rocket National Championships at East Lothian day 3 - photo © Steve Fraser / ELYC

With the discard now in play, the overall results have switched up again with Stu & Tom in pole position, Christian & Sam in second, and Taxi & Pippa third. Full results below.

Many thanks to our sponsors HD sails, SSE, NB Distillery, Fernhurst Books, Triggernaught Sportsglasses and our title sponsor Aspire Financial Advisers.

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Aspire Merlin Rocket National Championships at East Lothian day 3 - photo © Steve Fraser / ELYC

Results after day 3:

Aspire Merlin Rocket National Championships at East Lothian day 3 - photo © Steve Fraser / ELYC