Ranelagh Sailing Club welcomes the Merlin Rocket for the Upriver Race

Fran Gifford and Anna Aylward sailing 1 - Merlin Rockets in the Upriver Race at Ranelagh © RSC

Ranelagh Sailing Club Upriver Race on Sunday 22 June in glorious sunshine with the forecast of decent breeze and the promise of bacon rolls and tea on arrival and lunch afterwards included in the fantastically reasonable entry fee, was all the encouragement nine vintage/classic Merlin Rockets needed to make their way to West London, for a leisurely race up the river Thames.

The event is part of the Thames Series and De May vintage series both sponsored by Craftinsure and the classic series.

A simple windward-leeward six times then head for home; what could be simpler. After dodging rowers, cyclists, runners, prams, dog walkers, sightseers, all out enjoying the glorious surroundings of the river, a quick briefing outside the historic Ranelagh clubhouse, the fleet quickly launched for the race start at 11am using the last hour of the flood tide, meant the race to stay behind the line commenced as so as you launched; being over or hitting a mark on the river is a recipe for disaster.

Martin Wollny and James Hayward sailing 3592 - Merlin Rockets in the Upriver Race at Ranelagh - photo © RSC

With that in mind the fleet were a tad line shy. Andy Harris and Sara Warren in 607 who timed it best and led from the off, 3055 Nick Yannakoyorgos and Matteo Mancini and 1028 Tim Medcalf Matty Key, led the charge to catch 607. All three battled for the lead towards Fulham football club, at this point it was time for the kites were hoisted, which became problematic for some as wind seemed to bounce off the football ground and in various directions.

1028 unfortunately hit the windward and had the unenviable task of re-rounding as club rules state.

3055 tried to sneak inside 607 and the leeward only to misjudge the fierce flow of the tide and ended up in no mans land and went from second to last in a matter of minutes.

2997 Chris Hill and Rob Mancini moved into second chasing down 607, who always maintained a comfortable lead.

The wind had swung round so only a few boats were attempting the kites on the downwind leg.

Merlin Rocket 1 "Kate" sailed by the top team Fran Gifford and Anna Aylward slowly but surely climbed through the fleet to second.

Andy Harris and Sara Warren sailing 607 - Merlin Rockets in the Upriver Race at Ranelagh - photo © RSC

The skill of the day appeared to be how close you could get to the wall to get out of the tide and believe me the fleet got within inches of sheer brick wall gambling with the pristine gunwales of our beautiful vintage craft, or you could risk going out in the tide to get the better breeze.

Both options were fraught with danger, as it turned out we weren't going to have a leisurely sail, don't let the warm welcome and beautifully looked after boats fool you, the vintage class are hard-core racers at heart, with place changing with each tack and wind shift.

After five hard fought windward roundings it was time to head for home and back past craven cottage, as we did so the fleet were serenaded with live music from north shore as we passed.

As the club line came into view first and second were in the bag for 607 and 1, while the rest of the fleet fought over the final podium position.

Unfortunately 1028 got hit with a monster gust and back wind off the football ground causing them to capsize, allowing 3592 Martin Wollny and James Hayward who was constantly making ground on the leaders to move into fourth, while the remaining teams 3372 George/Rich, 3506 Graham/Nicola 3055 all moved up a place.

607 took the win after leading from start to finish, 1 who clawed their way through the pack to take second, while 2997 manged to cling onto third.

The fleet returned to shore for a hot lunch and prize-giving, a fantastic day on the river the close racing matched by the fabulous welcome, all boxes ticked Once again thank you to everyone at Ranelagh SC.

The next Classic and Craftinsure Vintage event is at Banbury Sailing Club on 19th July and the next Craftinsure Thames Series is at Upper Thames on 7th September. All events can be found on the MR website portal.merlinrocket.co.uk/events

Rob Mancini and Chris Hill (third), Andy Harris and Sara Warren (first), Fran Gifford and Anna Aylward (second) - Merlin Rockets in the Upriver Race at Ranelagh - photo © RSC

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