Craftinsure Merlin Rocket Silver Tiller and HD Midland Circuit at Mumbles Yacht Club

Craftinsure Merlin Rocket Silver Tiller and HD Midland Circuit at Mumbles © Rach Meddick

A very select group of Merlin Rocket crews arrived at Mumbles Yacht Club for the combined Craftinsure Silver Tiller and the HD Midland Circuit event on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 July anticipating the same great hospitality and race management we experienced at the last event here two years ago; we were not disappointed!

Saturday promised a light offshore breeze, likely to be shifty. This seemed to please some crews more than others, but we all launched in anticipation of some close racing. With three races scheduled, and the breeze forecast to drop, we were keen to get started. On the course, we found a force 2-3 that was at fairly steady in strength, if not direction. We also found the Mumbles YC regatta fleet of dinghies, catamarans and cruisers, which added interest to the day, but was never an issue.

Mike & Jane Calvert in their new craft 3829, proved to be the boat to beat, scoring three bullets. James Wells & Anna Aylward in 3746 had three seconds, while Rob Kennaugh & Ashanti Lennox in 3700 got three thirds. Gavin Willis & Tre Jacobs in 3821 counted three fourths, however the consistent scorelines did not reflect the closeness of the racing, with all boats having their time at the front in different races. From my (Rob Kennaugh) perspective, it seemed to be key to get on the starboard lay line fairly early at the windward mark, and on no account go left down the run - as a number of boats including us found out to their cost!

Unfortunately, the breeze died during the day, and by the end of the third race we were struggling to stem the tide on starboard upwind. Concentration was waning in certain boats at this point, after an early start, with the crew of 3700 snoozing down the last run, leaving her helm to trim the spinnaker. I reckon we went a bit quicker, but then I would say that wouldn't I!

For the evening's entertainment, Mumbles YC had put on food and live music. I have been to this event twice now, and both times have been impressed by how friendly and welcoming the club has been, and we all had a great night.

Sunday dawned breezy and cloudy, with three further races scheduled. Some of us were hoping for a good blast after the light wind of Saturday, and once we launched, we found a nice force 4 across the course, with a long swell slightly across the wind, making for fun offwind sailing. After some committee boat problems, racing got under way slightly late.

The first beat proved how shifty the breeze was, with the surprise being Mike & Jane rounding fourth. James & Anna headed off into a good lead, while 3829 set about the chase. Rob & Ashanti held 3829 off up the second beat, but were swallowed up by superior boat speed on the reach. Both boats bought the breeze down to the leaders, and all the boats gybed in line. We then dropped back in third, so I'm not sure where the overtake was made, but the upshot was that Mike & Jane made it through to take the win, with James & Anna a close second.

The breeze at this point was quite up and down, with some light spots mixed in with good breeze, keeping your head out the boat was key, with the shifts so big (and obvious), that boats often tacked in unison, reacting to the breeze. Offwind was interesting, with the swell and chop at slightly different angles, so concentration was needed, but the results were rewarding, and good fun!

Race 2 was more of the same, with Mike & Jane and James & Anna fighting it out at the front. We were slightly further back in 3700, so didn't see any detail of the action, but it was definitely close, even if the result was the same (3829 first, 3746 second).

Mike and Jane Clavert, overall winners - Craftinsure Merlin Rocket Silver Tiller and HD Midland Circuit at Mumbles - photo © Rach Meddick

Despite the overall result being a done deal for all crews, the whole fleet lined up for the final race start (despite some crew whinging in 3700). This was a testament to how much we had all enjoyed the racing. Again, the fleet were line astern at the windward mark, however crew failure forced a retirement in 3700, so we didn't see the rest of the race. Mike & Jane were first again, with James & Anna second, and Gavin & Tre third.

Mike & Jane Calvert took the Mumbles Yacht Club Craftinsure Silver Tiller in comprehensive fashion, with James Wells & Anna Aylward second, Rob Kennaugh & Ashanti Lennox third, and Gavin Willis & Tre Jacobs fourth. At the prize-giving, Mike commented on the great hosting and race management we had experienced in Mumbles, and how we would hopefully be back, with a bigger fleet next year. I think all competitors would agree, I know we did!

The next Craftinsure Silver Tiller is at Shoreham Sailing Club on Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th July, the last event before the Aspire National Championships.

Enter Shoreham event: members.shorehamsailing.org/event/1127101

Enter the National Championships: portal.merlinrocket.co.uk/event/looe-sc-aspire-national-championships

The next HD Sails Midland Circuit is at Bartley Sailing Club on 7th September combined with the Youth Championships 2025.

Overall Results:

James Wells and Anna Aylward, second overall - Craftinsure Merlin Rocket Silver Tiller and HD Midland Circuit at Mumbles - photo © Rach Meddick