Please select your home edition
Edition
RS Sailing 2021 - LEADERBOARD

Merlin Rocket National Championship at Tenby Sailing Club - Runners and Riders

by Chris Jennings 31 Jul 2024 09:39 BST 11-16 August 2024
2013 Rooster Merlin Rocket Nationals at Tenby © Alistair Mackay

The summer of sport reaches a crescendo 11-16 August when the Merlin Rocket class descend on the popular championship venue of Tenby in South Wales.

A strong entry list of over 70 teams are currently fine tuning the abundance of string in their boats wondering if there's room to attach just one more control to the one-string system seeking that race winning edge (or just some bling to impress the onlookers). I feel it in my bones that this year will be a classic.

Before we get to the people, let's talk about the venue...

In between deadlines and commitments with life/work, I did 5 mins of research and discovered that Tenby boasts a rich history. Originally Tenby was known as "Dinbych-y-pysgod" which (for reasons unknown - I should have done more research) means "Little Fortress of the Fish". The town evolved from a medieval stronghold to a notorious pirate haven - Dan Alsop would feel right at home there. By the 19th century, Tenby transformed into a Victorian holiday destination, drawing tourists with its sandy beaches and picturesque harbour. During World War II, its shores served as practice grounds for the D-Day landings. The next chapter of Tenby's history will be written in August, who will Tom Hanks be cast as in the Hollywood remake of the Merlin Rocket Aspire Nationals 2024?

Anyway back to the flesh and bone. Spoiler alert there's strength in depth throughout the fleet and somebody told me this shouldn't be a long story so I won't mention too many people. Suffice to say there are some big names in the entry list, several with more than 15 letters.

I'd need to be out of my mind if I didn't speculate on the potential winners, the obvious picks would include these folks: Christian Birrell & Sam Brearey; Andy "Taxi" Davis & Ollie Meadowcroft; Stu Bithell & Tom Pygall; and Ben Saxton & Matt Rainback.

With the class's rich heritage, there are many trophies to compete for at a Merlin Rocket nationals. In addition to the individual race prizes there are 16 "category" trophies covering age, gender, mass(!), relationships, club allegiance and more.

And... there are four fleets: Platinum, Gold, Silver and Bronze. You're going to need a fresh long drink for the prize-giving and a trip to the "facilities" beforehand is worthwhile.

The battles for the fleet prizes add extra spice to the week, let's look at that!

The Gold fleet looks particularly competitive, we look forward to the many talented sailors (too many to mention) facing up to the might of Team Warren (Alex, Will and Sophie, crewed by Jonty Freeman, Charlotte Fildes and George Bender respectively). Grab the popcorn for that one.

In Silver might we see Jones vs Jones (inspired by the Kool & The Gang classic) as Andy and Maddie take on Ben Jones and Helen Hilditch. Geoff and Helen Kimber could be the killers of that party if they aren't down the driving range practicing for Thursday's golf tournament.

The Bronze teams will no doubt making themselves seen and heard, particularly Huw Reynolds crewed by fashion pioneer Phil Scott. Nigel and Freya Hudson often have good results and Gavin Willis, sailing with Bettine Harris, returns in his self-built boat packed with innovations.

Oh yeah by the way if you want to see Merlin Rockets sailing at Tenby 30 years ago, check out the excellent YouTube footage of the 1994 championships won by the very sadly missed Richard Estaugh and the legendary Neil Thompson:

We have a fabulous social calendar too!

  • Saturday: Briefing followed by Commodore's Reception 1900
  • Sunday: Crew's union 20:00 Prizegiving 2100
  • Monday: Prizegiving 2100
  • Tuesday: 19:00 BBQ at the club, 2x tickets included in entry extras £12ph Prizegiving 2100
  • Wednesday: 19:00 Fancy dress and Disco - Come as your boat name Prizegiving 2100
  • Thursday: MROA GK Engineering Golf tournament - 16:30 FULL. In the Welsh Wind Gin tasting at the club tickets £18.00 tickets available at registration. Daily prize-giving 2100.
  • Friday Main prize-giving and band Prizegiving 18:00. Food will be available at the club.

Events of this scale can't happen without the support of sponsors and the Merlin Rocket fleet are proud to have the support of Aspire, Allspars, In The Welsh Wind, Becky Bettesworth, and CF by L and L, and GK Engineering - see links below.

Check back in August for the updates to find out which team ends up the on top after the scheduled 10 races!

Sponsors:

aspirefinancialadvisers.co.uk
www.allspars.co.uk
inthewelshwind.co.uk
beckybettesworth.co.uk
www.cfbylandl.com
gkengineering.co.uk

Related Articles

Salcombe Merlin Rocket Week Day 2
First start gets away on the top of the tide With the rest of the UK cooking in 30+ degrees, Salcombe has been veiled in sea mist for the last few days. Monday was the day when this was meant to clear but competitors woke to find the race track still shrouded in mist. Posted on 30 Jun
Salcombe Merlin Rocket Week Day 1
Over 200 of the UK's top dinghy racers are in the picturesque South Devon Ria The ever popular Salcombe Merlin Week, sponsored by Helly Hansen, Craftinsure and Creation Covers, has again attracted over 200 of the UK's top dinghy racers to the picturesque South Devon Ria. Posted on 29 Jun
Delivery to Salcombe Week - Final Call!
Devon's calling, and P&B are answering This weekend finds members of our Sail Loft team at Salcombe Yacht Club, for Merlin Salcombe Week. We'll be making the most of the conditions, the surroundings and the chance to catch up with other sailors who share our passion for competitive sailing. Posted on 26 Jun
Merlin Rockets in the Upriver Race at Ranelagh
A simple windward-leeward 6 times then head for home; what could be simpler? Ranelagh Sailing Club Upriver Race on Sunday in glorious sunshine with the forecast of decent breeze and the promise of bacon rolls and tea on arrival and lunch afterwards was all the encouragement nine vintage/classic Merlin Rockets needed. Posted on 25 Jun
Merlin Rocket Craftinsure Silver Tiller at Hampton
On arrival competitors and the duty team were provided with bacon rolls Following on from the Silver Tiller at Queen Mary Reservoir on Saturday, the double-header continued on Sunday at Hampton Sailing Club on the River Thames, with an entry of twelve boats including visitors from Midland, Parkstone and Plymouth. Posted on 18 Jun
Merlin Rockets at Queen Mary
Double black diamond descent in the Craftinsure Silver Tiller Series A keen fleet of Merlin Rocket crews descended upon the Queen Mary reservoir on Saturday 14th June for another episode of the exciting event in the ever hotly contested Craftinsure Silver Tiller series. Posted on 17 Jun
Merlin Rocket Week runners and riders
Who's in your flight? Who's sailing when? With Helly Hansen Merlin Rocket Salcombe Week just around the corner and the sacred PDF of doom (AKA the flights list) finally released, the WhatsApp groups are already ablaze. Sails are being tweaked, excuses rehearsed... Posted on 16 Jun
Allen Merlin Rocket Inlands at Grafham
Forecast paints utterly the wrong picture - it didn't even rain If you ever wanted more evidence that social media and those little electronic devices in our pockets are bad for us, then look no further. At the beginning of the week all chat and posts had been of the horrendous and un-sailable forecast. Posted on 13 Jun
Merlin Rocket Allen SE Series at Brightlingsea
It's not true that reaches only spread out the fleet and do not result in place changes 16 Merlin Rockets came from north, south and west to join six home boats for the Brightlingsea Open Meeting, almost at the eastern extremity of Essex. Conditions were even better than last year with a good Force 3 to 5 for all the races. Posted on 4 Jun
Merlin Rocket River Championships at Upper Thames
Ollie Meadowcroft and Alex Pausey win at Bourne End Week With a breezy forecast for the three day event held over the Bank Holiday weekend fourteen boats entered the Merlin River Champs, held as part of Bourne End Week. Posted on 29 May