Craftinsure DeMay and Thames Series Merlin Rocket event at Minima Yacht Club

The second day of the Thames SC - Minima YC doubleheader showcased the other face of river sailing. While TSC was one for the locals and anyone who loves trying to predict how essentially zero wind will react while vaulting a concrete embankment and swirling around trees, Minima YC was home to a sporty, river-aligned, essentially Northerly which was prone to gusting fresh to even fresher.

Six sets of runners and riders assembled for the racing; visitors from Hampton SC, Thames SC, and Tamesis Club, and a contingent from the home club.

The OOD Robin Broomfield set a simple windward-leeward port handed course using the full extent of the sailing area. A goodly contingent of ferries, GoBoats, rowers, canoeists, Gin Palaces, and many other vessels which just added to the fun.

Craftinsure DeMay and Thames Series Merlin Rocket event at Minima - photo © Robin Broomfield

The two pre-lunch races saw a couple of early baths and resultant retirements, differing opinions about the wisdom of deploying a spinnaker, and ended up with three boats tied for the lead of the Vintage series.

This quirk of maths meant that the afternoon's race was an opportunity that someone should really grasp. As it turned out, the fleet rose to the challenge in an unconvincing way with one losing the connection between rudder and transom, while the other two front runners were OCS and had to skulk back and try again.

In the end, as it so often the case, the cream rose to the top in the form of Rob and Hatty Cage who won both the Vintage and Thames Series events which were running concurrently.

Craftinsure DeMay and Thames Series Merlin Rocket event at Minima - photo © Robin Broomfield

Newly transom-impaired Stuart Jenkins and Nicola Scaddan took second on countback from Tim Medcalf and Humphrey Pedlar. Humphrey was leading junior having put in a massive shift in Crossbow's engine room for his first Merlin Rocket Open; it won't be his last apparently.

Despite coming second, maybe our Class Chairman was the biggest winner of the day after all - he now has the perfect rationale for owning a veritable quiver of lovely vintage Merlin Rockets. Clearly you never know when you might need a spare.

Craftinsure DeMay and Thames Series Merlin Rocket event at Minima - photo © Robin Broomfield

The extensive Minima YC team who were involved in running the on-water activity, and behind the scenes, hosted the day superbly and their efforts were appreciated by all the competitors.

A big thanks to Craftinsure for sponsoring the series and providing some fantastic prizes. All-in-all a very solid and enjoyable day's racing which put the lie to many preconceptions about river sailing.

If you fancy a go, the next river event is the two day open at Tamesis Club on 17-18 May. Don't forget that you can also do a warm-up at Fishers Green SC on 10-11 May.

First place DeMay Series, Rob and Hattie Cage - Craftinsure DeMay and Thames Series Merlin Rocket event at Minima - photo © MYC

Thames Series Results:

Vintage Series Results:

First place Thames Series, Rob and Hattie Cage - Craftinsure DeMay and Thames Series Merlin Rocket event at Minima - photo © MYC