Merlin Rocket HD Sails Midland Circuit at Blithfield Sailing Club
by Paul Keeling 4 Jul 2023 18:07 BST
2 July 2023
Struggling to identify the crew - Merlin Rocket HD Sails Midland Circuit at Blithfield © BSC
Blithfield Sailing Club hosted their round of the HD Sails Merlin Rocket Midland Circuit on the 2nd July; preceding this event on Saturday 1st the club hosted a Merlin training day attended by about ten teams eager to hone their rigs and skills.
Unfortunately, it was a bit windy so only the team of Rob Kennaugh & Andrew Prosser went for a sail. The rest of the teams spent time checking over rig settings and discussing all things Merlin! Discussion continued through the evening BBQ.
Sunday dawned and any hopes of a gentle sail soon diminished as it was again a bit windy. It was in fact so windy it was all a bit of a blur. Rob & Andrew got the shifts right in race 1 to take the win. Everyone came in for lunch.
Mat Biggs & Beka Jones got race 2 right and won that one. Race 3 was back-to-back with Race 2.
Then in Race 3 Rob & Andrew shot off into the distance to take the win, but this race will be remembered for two things, firstly the extra lap that no one except the race officer wanted, and secondly at the end of said extra lap Matt chucking a gybe in on the run and tipping it in much to Beka's amusement.
So, Rob & Andrew won the trophy and wine, Beka was relieved that she didn't have to make a speech but still got some wine as her & Matt came second, and we (Paul Keeling & Steve McCarthy) came third.
Everyone had a great day with lots of smiles, cake and tales to tell at the bar afterwards. Many thanks to the Blithfield team for running a slick day both on and off the water.
The next HD Sails Midland Circuit is at Banbury Sailing Club on the 23rd July.
Results:
1st Rob Kennaugh & Andrew Prosser
2nd Matt Biggs & Beka Jones
3rd Paul Keeling & Steve McCarthy
4th Mark Stockbridge & Charlie Cotter
5th Colin Anderson & Sean Anderson
6th Paul Hollis & Paula Mason
7th Mark Reddington & Lewis Fowgil
8th Carl Whitehall & Sam Whitehall
9th Mark Mckeever & Evan Base
9th Mike Colles & [Please let the MROA know if this was you!]
9th Steve Leney & Gill Leney