Merlin Rocket Allen South East series at Fishers Green Sailing Club

First race, lots of boats, lots of colour - Merlin Rocket Allen South East series at Fishers Green © Rob O'Neill

Nestled in the heart of nature, yet only 10 minutes from the M25, Fishers Green Sailing Club is an oasis of calm waters with beautiful tree lined surroundings and provided the perfect backdrop for some crazy, shifty and intense racing as 22 Merlins gathered to do battle in a gusty south easterly breeze which was tempered with some glorious sunshine; summer had certainly arrived.

As always, there was a very warm welcome from the club before battle commenced. Unfortunately, the club's committee boat had developed a steering issue so had to be towed into place to run the racing, which with the shifting breeze, caused a little difficulty for the OOD to set the courses, however all three races were excellent with challenging courses providing superb racing right through the fleet.

Racing between the islands - Merlin Rocket Allen South East series at Fishers Green - photo © Rob O'Neill

Race 1

Caroline Gould and Livvy Bell led round the windward mark but were reeled in after suffering gear failure. James Goodfellow and George Major, and Chris Gould and Sophie Mackley took it in turns to lead from the chasing pack of William Warren and Andy Prince, Alan Krailing and Pete Nicholson, Clive Eplett and Megan Pascoe, Tom Stewart and Rob Allen. It was nip and tuck for the six laps. With the fleet criss-crossing it was imperative to stay alert as you met other Merlin's on different legs of the course. Chris and Sophie won from Tom and Rob with James and George in a close third.

Start of the second race - Merlin Rocket Allen South East series at Fishers Green - photo © Rob O'Neill

Race 2

A change of course and with the new windward mark in a light patch the first 5 boats including white wooden boat got away leaving a melee of chaos behind. Alan and Pete, William and Andy and Matt and Ben Shorrock fought a close battle at the front for the duration of the race, taking turns for the lead. The effect was to slow each other up which allowed a fast-charging Chris and Sophie to catch up and sweep past into the lead, just as the OOD raised the shorten course flag, to take their second win. A frustrated Alan and Pete were second and William and Andy, third.

Megan Pascoe pulling the kite away - Merlin Rocket Allen South East series at Fishers Green - photo © Rob O'Neill

Race 3

After a little delay as the OOD struggled set a course in the ever-shifting breeze, William and Andy, Alan and Pete and Chris and Sophie got round the windward all pretty much overlapped and stayed ahead. Tom and Rob with Mary Henderson and Tom Pygall caught up with the lead pack and after another intense battle, it was Chris and Sophie who took their third victory from a fast-closing Alan and Pete, with Mary and Tom third.

Allan Krailling and Pete Nicholson - Merlin Rocket Allen South East series at Fishers Green - photo © Rob O'Neill

All in all, a fabulous day of hectic racing, apologies if I missed anyone but it was hard to keep a track of what was going on elsewhere in the fleet. A huge thank you to Fishers Green SC for a wonderful event.

Next on the Allen South East Series calendar is Brightlingsea Sailing Club on 31st May and 1st June which is also a Craftinsure Silver Tiller.

For the full calendar please visit - portal.merlinrocket.co.uk/events

Lining up for the start - Merlin Rocket Allen South East series at Fishers Green - photo © Rob O'Neill

Overall Results:

Caroline Gould and Livvy Bell, first run, first race - Merlin Rocket Allen South East series at Fishers Green - photo © Rob O'Neill