Merlin Rocket Craftinsure Silver Tiller and Allspars SW Series Round 2 at South Cerney Sailing Club

The Merlin fleet headed to South Cerney for a four race open as part of the Allspars South-West Series and Craftinsure Silver Tiller circuit. The fleet were greeted with stunning sunshine, good breeze, but cold from the North East, and a very friendly clubhouse.

Lots of mentioning shorts and t-shirts the day before, although summer wetsuits were kept in the bag and many were in steamers, dry suits and Anna Aylward opted for two woolly hats!

Local boat and Bronze Fleet winner Alastair and Catrina Wallace during the Merlin Rocket Silver Tiller and SW Series event at South Cerney - photo © Paul Kimmens

Race 1

The fleet got away first time with a fairly short beat wind blowing across the lake and club kindly used a rib to guide us all round the course for the first lap. Chris Jennings and Pete Nicholson led round the first mark from Mark Barwell and Lou Johnson. The course was interesting which provided some good reach to give teams a real smile in the 20 knot gusts according to the committee boat though felt more. Into the final lap and Sarah Richards/Nigel Wakefield were battling for 1st though it was Chris Gould/Sophie Mackley who came in from the right on the final beat to take the lead. On the last leg to the finish Chris and Pete managed pip Chris and Sophie on the line with Sarah/Nigel in 3rd and Mark/Lou in 4th.

Chris Jennings and Pete Nicholson third overall in the Merlin Rocket Silver Tiller and SW Series event at South Cerney - photo © Paul Kimmens

Race 2

Same course for the second race and again fleet got away first time! Chris and Sophie led round first. The fleet were pretty close after this with Sarah/Nigel and Mike/Jane Calvert in hot pursuit. Lots of gains especially gusts on the runs seemed to be the theme of the morning. Chris and Sophie sailed off and not really touched all race. Mike and Jane sailed well especially upwind getting that high mode working well. Chris and Pete pulled through to 3rd with a good battle with Sarah and Nigel following in 4th.

With two fairly non stop competitive races the fleet headed to shore for some much needed food. The club put on a great lunch, which also gave Mark Barwell to do some gel coat tlc mods on the bow. After a much needed carb fuelled lunch the fleet launched for races 3 & 4.

One of the many downwind legs where the fleet followed Chris and Sophie during the Merlin Rocket Silver Tiller and SW Series event at South Cerney - photo © Paul Kimmens

Race 3

Race 3 got away again Chris and Sophie sailed of to a commanding lead with a new course change opting for more starboard roundings. Mark Stockbridge and Tre Jacobs were sailing very well and were right in the mix until a bad drop. Usual suspects Mike and Jane were in the mix with Sarah and Nigel. At the finish it was Chris and Sophie followed by the Calverts. Chris and Pete managed to get past Sarah and Nigel.

Mike and Jane Calvert second overall in the Merlin Rocket Silver Tiller and SW Series event at South Cerney - photo © Paul Kimmens

Race 4

Race 4 and a pretty depleted fleet with 7 starters at this point! Some had their money's worth and some gear failure. With the same course as previou,. Chris and Sophie led round most of the way until retiring to the comfy sofas in the clubhouse. Sarah and Nigel sailed a great race to take the win from Mike and Jane. In 3rd were James Wells and Anna Aylward and Mark and Tre in 4th.

A very good day on the water with teams completing every race doing 88 mark roundings and 32 kite hoists / drops!

Special spot prizes went to Mark Stockbridge for various swimming strokes. Also crocodile award for Tim Harms for an unfortunate broken mast.

Chris and Sophie took the overall win, followed by Mike and Jane Calvert in second and then your report writers Chris Jennings and Pete Nicholson in third.

The Gold Fleet was won by Mark Barwell and Lou Johnson, Silver Fleet by Tim Harms and Amelia Little, with Bronze Fleet winners Alastair and Catrina Wallace.

Finally a big thank you to South Cerney S.C. for putting on a really good day's racing.

Overall and Fleet winners from the combined Merlin Rocket Silver Tiller and SW Series event at South Cerney - photo © Paul Kimmens

The Next Craftinsure Silver Tiller is at Parkstone Yacht Club on Saturday 19th April, with the next Allspars South West Series also at Parkstone Yacht Club on Saturday 19th and Sunday 20th April. The full calendar is available at portal.merlinrocket.co.uk/events

Overall Results: