Merlin Rocket Craftinsure Silver Tiller at Hampton Sailing Club

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 SC, Parkstone YC and the RYA in Plymouth.

On Saturday evening Hampton hosted a fish and chip supper at the club to welcome all the competitors to the club in advance of the event the next day.

The forecast was for a westerly breeze of 8 to 12 mph, with gusts up to 19 mph. The wind direction was good - straight up and down the river - although at times the wind felt stronger than predicted.

Merlin Rocket Craftinsure Silver Tiller at Hampton - photo © Peter Norrey

On arrival competitors and the duty team were provided with welcome bacon rolls and tea and coffee.

After a briefing by Principal Race Officer Rob Heath, race 1 began shortly after 11:00 with a beat upriver and a long run down again. Race 1 was led by James Wells and Anna Aylward in Point n Squirt 3746, with Stuart Jenkins and Nicola Scaddan in hot pursuit in their Vintage Boat, Cindy 723. After the windward mark the wind dropped away and Stuart and Nicola made the most of the conditions in their narrow boat to pass James/Anna and take a good lead.

However, the wind picked up again and James/Anna eventually took first place, with Stuart/Nicola in second, Richard Parslow crewed by Simon Girven in a borrowed boat in third, and John Bell crewed by his wife Deirdre in fourth.

Merlin Rocket Craftinsure Silver Tiller at Hampton - photo © Peter Norrey

After a break for an excellent lunch - thank you to the catering team - race 2 got under way. Stuart and Nicola led from the start, but were overtaken by James/Anna and John/Deirdre. Halfway through the race John missed his toe straps and fell out of the boat, allowing Stuart/Nicola to catch up, but John swiftly recovered. James/Anna took first place again, with John/Deirdre second, Stuart/Nicola in third and Richard/Simon in fourth.

With first place now sewn up by James and Anna, the race was on between John/Deirdre and Stuart/Nicola for second and third. Added pressure was the knowledge that whoever came third overall would have to write this report! Stuart and Nicola again opened up a lead, only to be overhauled once again by James/Anna and John/Deirdre. With a lap to go Richard/Simon got into third chased by Stuart/Nicola. Stuart/Nicola fought back to take the line honours on the last beat to finish third from Richard/Simon in fourth.

This meant that Stuart/Nicola were third overall, and guess who had to write this report...

Merlin Rocket Craftinsure Silver Tiller at Hampton - photo © Peter Norrey

The day wrapped up with tea and homemade cake, and prize-giving which was hosted by the Hampton's Commodore Ian Peerless. Thank you to all of the duty team for a great day's racing.

Special thanks to Andrew Mills who organised the event, Rob Heath for his expert race management, Nicky Page for the Fish & Chip Supper, the Catering Team - Alison, Chris and Anna - and to all the helpers at Hampton Sailing Club for making the event such a success.

The next Silver Tiller event is at Mumbles on 19th/20th July.

James Wells and Anna Aylward win overall - Merlin Rocket Craftinsure Silver Tiller at Hampton - photo © Peter Norrey

Overall Results:

John and Deirdre Bell sailing 'Grace' finish second overall - Merlin Rocket Craftinsure Silver Tiller at Hampton - photo © Peter Norrey