Merlin Rocket South West Series at Parkstone Yacht Club

Merlin Rocket South West Series event at Parkstone © Louisa Archer

Parkstone Yacht Club was host to the Merlin Rocket South West Series Open on Saturday 30th September 2023. The boat that finishes third at class events has the pleasure of writing the reports, today it was the turn of Simon Potts and Richard Parslow. Thanks to Simon's persuasive abilities, I (George Bender) was given the report to write (even though I bought him a McDonald's and his six year old daughter called me a doo doo head).

Parkstone Yacht Club knows how to welcome a fleet and fuel them for the day, so much so, the bacon sandwiches provided were so good that a number of sailors were found still in the comfort of the clubhouse, chewing away, when they were informed that the boats were released for the days racing. Apparently in order to take part in the event, they should really put some serious thought into getting changed.

Merlin Rocket South West Series event at Parkstone - photo © Louisa Archer

Three good races came together with little delay and only one recall required in a surprisingly well-behaved fleet, but not without some excitement for some of the crews.

The sailing conditions were brilliant with 14 knots which held up through the races at the top triangle, just west of Brownsea island. Double highs on the tides confused all but the savviest of sailors, with the usual suspects leading the fleet.

Christian Birrell and Aaron Holman ripped the clue off their mainsail in the second race but managed to fix it for the final race and still win! Stu Bithell and Tom Pygall sailed a constant series to come in second. Well we know who finished third, and not the one writing the report! Other excitement on the water was with Roberta, of William Warren and Megan Pascoe capsized in the first and the second race and after some leeward mark shouting had had enough so went in...

Whilst onboard Robert, Sophie Mackey and I thought carefully about replacing a pole launch line before deciding it wasn't going to explode. Naturally, it exploded but thankfully not while racing so we had time to make a quick fix and keep going.

The last race, as usual, was round the cans. All of the races saw some very tight reaching which certainly paid well for the crews more prone to the McDonalds life. Handbrake turns at the gybe marks tested everyone's boat handling... and rules knowledge(!).

The bar on Saturday night was so well attended that a tannoy announcement was made requesting that basically anyone who knows how to pull a pint report to them at once with a zero hours contract type affair.

Christian Birrell and Arran Holman win the Merlin Rocket South West Series event at Parkstone - photo © Louisa Archer

An old piano in the bar bore the sign that anyone who wanted to play should have a go! After eating my dinner as well as Richard Parslow's, and it being only right to have a pint for him too, there were few enough people left in the clubhouse for me to tinkle the ivories.

Unfortunately, one gentleman who certainly would have been useful on a tight reach, decided that I should stop playing given I was not able to play anything completely from start to finish; as though he had bought tickets to a solo piano concert and would like his money back!

The man came over to apologise later along with the question of why I hadn't brought sheet music with me, which I could only answer with speechless surprise! In any case, everyone except him seemed to enjoy the musical feature of the clubhouse and we hope it's still there next time!

The final event of the South West Series is at Salcombe Yacht Club on Saturday 28th October, which is followed by the Craftinsure Silver Tiller Dinner and Dance. Tickets are now on sale and can be purchased at www.salcombeyc.org.uk/event/782593

Stuart Bithell and Tom Pygall take second in the Merlin Rocket South West Series event at Parkstone - photo © Louisa Archer

Overall Results:

Simon Potts and Richard Parslow take third in the Merlin Rocket South West Series event at Parkstone - photo © Louisa Archer