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Merlin Rocket National Championship sponsored by Aspire at Tenby Sailing Club - Day 1

by Roberta, Robert and Tiger Tiger 11 Aug 2024 20:52 BST 11-16 August 2024
Merlin Rocket Nationals at Tenby day 1 © Alistair Mackay

Rocketeers from all parts of the country descended on the picturesque South Wales town of Tenby for the 77th Merlin Rocket National Championships sponsored by Aspire Financial Services.

They were greeted by an efficient and friendly team from Tenby SC who got the 67 boats safely lined up on the prom in time for the sun to break through the mizzle. Free gin from In the Welsh Wind Distillery eased the class into what will be a fabulous week.

Sunday dawned with the eager teams launching into a sloppy south easterly sea. Many teams were rather too eager and fell foul of PRO Nigel Denchfield dreaded black flag which came out after the first start and stayed for the day. The fleet got away on the fourth attempt in a freshening breeze and substantial waves. Stu Bithell and Tom Pygall in their new Winder ship led from start to finish, followed by Christian Birrell and Sam Breary, Andy (Taxi) Davis and Oliver Meadowcroft, also in their new Winder, came in third, pipping Jon Gorringe and Matt Currell and Arran Holman and Hayden Sewell on the finish line.

By now the sun was shining and the wind was no longer freshening, leaving a soft wind and a sloppy sea state making the second race of the day very challenging. Keeping the boats going round the course was proving tricky especially in the pack. Taxi and Ollie led until the last windward mark when Christian and Sam got ahead, and they finished in that order. In third was Ben Saxton and Matt Rainback followed closely by Stu and Tom.

Back in the fleet the battles were plenty, of note where the many family teams that had some close fought finishes. Leaders in the Gold, Silver and Bronze fleets after two races today are Alex Warren and Jonty Freeman, Ben Jones and Helen Hilditch and Jon Steward and Christian Hill, respectively. Tonight's prize-giving should be a raucous affair following a record turnout for the crew's union. This week the prizes have been generously sponsored by Allspars, Becky Bettesworth, CF by L and L and In the Welsh Wind Distillery.

Tomorrow the forecast is for a more westerly wind and plenty of sunshine, hopefully the crews will be fighting fit in the morning following their previous night's excesses.

Results after Day 1:

PosSail NoHelmCrewClubFoundersBeechersPts
1st3788Christian BirrellSam BreareyParkstone YC213
2nd3824Andy DavisOllie MeadowcroftSouth Staffs SC325
3rd3826Stuart BithellTom PygallParkstone YC156
4th3719Ian MartinChris MartinBurghfield SC6410
5th3791Jon GorringeMatt CurrellParkstone YC41115
6th3691Mike CalvertJane CalvertAxe YC8715
7th3807Tim SaxtonHolly McArthurItchenor SC10616
8th3809Arran HolmanHayden SewellHollowell51217
9th3802Simon PottsEmma ClarkeBurghfield SC12820
10th3782Ed ChapmanFaye ChattertonLymintong Town SC14923
11th3801Matthew BiggsBeka JonesBartley SC131023
12th3812Thomas StewartRob AllenWaldringfield SC71926
13th3775Chris JenningsPete NicholsonBrightlingsea SC92130
14th3696Alexander WarrenJonty FreemanShoreham SC161632
15th3666John MeadowcroftRory GiffordUpper Thames SC172037
16th3746James WellsAnna AylwardRYA152540
17th3787Chris MartinJohn TailbyBartley SC241741
18th3710Jon IbbotsonRobert StewartBurghfield SC261844
19th3724Ed BradburnSamuel BaileySouth Staffs SC182644
20th3645Steve HallAlison HallRoyal Corinthian YC222446
21st3727Mark StockbridgeJames GiffordUpper Thames SC232346
22nd3793James GoodfellowRick CornesNetley SC113849
23rd3683Maddy AndersonTom BallantineBrightlingsea SC193150
24th3806Ben JonesHelen HilditchShoreham SC203252
25th3751Rupert Henderson‑WhiteMary Henderson‑WhiteBrightlingsea SC312253
26th3756Sophie MackleyGeorge BenderShoreham SC273057
27th3731Andy JonesMaddie JonesBurghfield SC292958
28th3711Sam ThompsonLeanne ThompsonRNSA342761
29th3815Mark BarwellLouise JohnsonLymington Town SC214162
30th3776Nick CraigKate CraigBurghfield SC254065
31st3779David LeeAngela BridgesStarcross YC303565
32nd3816Phil EmeryPhoebe PaineWhitstable YC353368
33rd3804Ben SaxtonMatt RainbackRYABFD369
34th3781David HallEmilie HoodBlackwater SC423476
35th3813Steve HarlingEleanor ThomasStarcross YC413677
36th3733Jamie MorganOliver DavenportNorthampton SC334578
37th3796William WarrenCharlotte FildesShoreham SCBFD1379
38th3817Geoff KimberHelen KimberStone SC285179
39th3658Matthew ShorrockBen ShorrockFrensham Pond SCRET1480
40th3790Colin BrockbankSue broughWembley SC374380
41st3757Tim ParsonsAndy ServiceLyme Regis SCBFD1581
42nd3766Andrew DalbyAimee DalbyBurghfield SC384482
43rd3770Jon StewardChristian HillFishers Green SC325284
44th3794Julian HarmsTimothy HarmsMidland SC404686
45th3749Colin AndersonSean AndersonBartley SC365389
46th3662Nigel HudsonFreya HudsonBartley SC395089
47th3695Peter SlackImmy BrownTrent Valley SC484290
48th3742Howard EelesJosh OatesBartley SC444791
49th3747Clive EplettMegan PascoeFrensham Pond SCBFD2894
50th3547Tim MaleRebecca MaleRYA435598
51st3707Stuart JenkinsHannah BurtHampton Sailing Club4654100
52nd3690Guy BrowneGreg MartinTrent Valley SC4557102
53rd3720David ChisholmAndy PrinceRoyal Burnham YCBFD37103
54th3821Gavin WillisBettine HarrisBristol Corinthian YCBFD39105
55th3567Martin SmithKaren BestonRedditch SC4758105
56th3449Carl WhitehillSam WhitehillRYA4960109
57th3767Ben ArcherOlivia BelliniParkstone YCBFD48114
58th3825Storm NuttallIsobel StewartSalcombe YCBFD49115
59th3663Nicholas YannakoyorgosMatteo ManciniFishers Green SCBFD56122
60th3582Florence NichollsHarvey GodelAldeburgh YCBFD59125
61st3528Richard Owens TaffStu SouthanPembrokeshire Powerboating and Sailing ARETDNC132
61st3740Pat BlakeJilly BlakeLymington Town SCDNCDNC132
61st3814James GossChris WhiteSouth Staffs SCRETRET132
61st3786Phil HardistyTeddy DunnIsle of Man YCDNCDNC132
61st3800Richard BramleyTony ChealShoreham SCDNCDNC132

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