Aspire Merlin Rocket National Championship at Looe Sailing Club - Day 5

Day five of the Aspire Merlin Rocket Nationals at Looe Sailing Club, with Thursday's racing sponsored by ClamCleat.

It was a day of learning as it started with another great What Went Well session, this time for the crews with Rachael Gray, Sophie Mackley and Chris White sharing their crewing top tips. It was full of helpful insights and tactical advice, inspiring some extra effort on the racecourse today. (Although if my helm is reading this then I want to be clear that I am always putting in 110% effort.)

Merlin Rocket Aspire National at Looe Day 5 - photo © Alex Pausey

The start time was moved an hour earlier to try and get another three races but there was a brief postponement as the wind briefly swung round 180 degrees. But it soon flicked back to a south-westerly and we were released.

As boats trundled out to the start line it looked like the breeze was finally on, as we excitedly started raking back but sadly it didn't stay for the racing and the first start got under way in a gentle breeze.

Merlin Rocket Aspire National at Looe Day 5 - photo © Alex Pausey

On the first beat it turned out that going right is sometimes right, as Dave Winder and Beka Jones led round the windward mark, followed by Tim Saxton and Holly McArthur then William Warren and Andy Prince. On the run, a few boats were caught out going too far left, losing places to those right of them.

By the second windward mark, Dave and Beka had a nice lead while Tom Gillard and Rachael Gray had climbed into second place and, chasing his brother, Ben Saxton and Matt Rainback muscled their way into the top four.

Merlin Rocket Aspire National at Looe Day 5 - photo © Alex Pausey

It looked like smooth sailing for Dave and Beka, until they were pinged by the jury boat only metres away from the leeward mark and the final stretch to the finish. After dropping their kite and doing their turns they lost the lead to Tom and Rachael but managed to keep second place, followed by Tim and Holly then Ben and Matt.

The tide increased in race two, pushing a few keen sailors over the line and a general recall saw four boats black flagged and watching from the sidelines. In an effort to get all races completed on time, all races have been started under a black flag since day three and jumping the gun only works in a cowboy movie!

Merlin Rocket Aspire National at Looe Day 5 - photo © Alex Pausey

During the wait to restart, the wind shifted right by 10-15 degrees, teasing sailors into thinking the right side was the place to be, but savvy tacticians knew better. The left side had better tide and more pressure and those on the left popped up at the windward mark, showing left was now right. Mike and Jane Calvert were first round, holding off Tim and Holly, with Mark Barwell and Lou Johnson sailing a super leg to go round third.

It had shuffled by the next lap, with Tim and Holly taking the lead, followed by Mike and Jane and a charging Tom and Rachael. The sausage-triangle course kept things tight on the first lap, offering plenty of passing opportunities and different tactical options.

Merlin Rocket Aspire National at Looe Day 5 - photo © Alex Pausey

Tim and Holly kept their lead to score their first bullet of the week, with Mike and Jane then Tom and Rachael in second and third place. Special mention goes to the Tim and Rebecca Male, who sailed a beautiful race, finishing 14th with their best result of the week.

The final race of the day saw a more settled breeze with crews up on the side hiking. However, there was a clear consensus that left was king. Nearly the entire fleet committed to the left side of the beat and it paid dividends.

Merlin Rocket Aspire National at Looe Day 5 - photo © Alex Pausey

Tom and Rachael led at the windward mark, with Tim and Holly once again in hot pursuit. Chris and Sophie came through in third, trailed closely by Dave and Beka, who showed brilliant boat speed all day.

At the leeward gate, Chris and Sophie made the call to go round the right gate, right on the heels of Tom and Rachael and they were up to second by the next windward mark. Despite the one-sided nature of the race course, the reaches were a much nicer angle after some tough tight reaches this week, although the breeze still didn't get up quite enough to provide many overtaking opportunities. Tom and Rachael kept their lead to the finish, followed by Chris and Sophie in second then Dave and Beka in third.

Merlin Rocket Aspire National at Looe Day 5 - photo © Alex Pausey

There's only one race scheduled for Friday, although the forecast is looking a little light so this could be it! Although if we have learnt anything this week it's that all forecasts should be taken with a pinch of sea salt.

A huge thank you to all our sponsors Aspire Financial Advisors, Creation Covers, Pinnell & Bax, Sailing Chandlery, ClamCleat, Winder Boats and Copperfish Distillery.

Results after Day 5: