Merlin Rocket DeMay Vintage and Thames Series at Hampton Sailing Club

Startline action - Merlin Rockets at Hampton © George Bell

Vintage DeMay Series open meeting

As the visitors pulled into the car park on the Middlesex bank, under a heavy drizzle, it seemed like it was going to be one of those days — slipping around on their lovely varnished decks.

However, as Pat and Jilly Blake arrived, the rain cleared, the sun came out and the breeze started to fill in, setting up for a nice windward-leeward course including a dogleg for the first race of the day. There were murmurs from the local boats as it was an unusual addition to a typical Hampton course...

After launching, the nine-boat fleet had to navigate an endless procession of rowing boats on both sides of the river (some rowers thought the windward mark was their turning buoy, and picking a good line through them proved to be tactically important.)

At the gun, Rob and Hatty Cage looked dialed in from the outset and surged off the start line, closely chased by After Myth and Cindy, with a tight pack behind which concertina'd on the downwind legs. Towards the end of the race, the fleet had almost closed the gap to the leaders, but the Cage's stretched again to take a solid win followed by Joe and Sean in second.

As they were landing for lunch, the competitors were treated to a serenade from the bell ringers at the local church (which also seemed to signal the arrival of a heavy downpour). The fleet were cheered up by an excellent lunch.

Startline action, with 901 getting a lovely lift off the far shore - Merlin Rockets at Hampton - photo © George Bell

For the start of Race 2, spray tops were on and the rain caused the breeze to drop slightly, with a few holes developing across the course. The OOD had removed the dogleg and with a subtle shift, there was now a dead windward-leeward course. It didn't take long for the sun to break through again thankfully.

Rob and Hatty showed their consistency, taking another win, while Stuart and Nicola finished second. Hywel Perkins and Lucy Penwarden brought some local knowledge to the table and finished a solid third.

The third race ran back to back and turned out to be the windiest of the day, with good gusts rolling down the course. Richard Page was first to the windward mark, aided by super-crew Phil Dalby, who held the lead to take a convincing win. John and Diedre Bell were also flying but had to retire after dropping their kite over the bow at the bottom mark.

The rest of the competitive fleet were swapping places regularly, but the consistency of Stuart and Nicola paid off, and their Martine proved slippery, earning them second place. Third place went to Andrew and Ellie Mills, who had a great race in the puffy conditions aboard their Smokers Satisfaction.

As everyone gathered for the prize-giving, there were some double-take moments at the results board (and a beaming class chairman), as the overall standings had shifted. Rob Cage had honourably retired from the second race after being pulled up for a pre-start 'bump' that wasn't acted on, which promoted Stuart and Nicola to the winners of the day.

After Myth (with newer sails) - Merlin Rockets at Hampton - photo © George Bell

Joe McLaughlin and Sean Roberts were awarded second overall, only to discover a miscalculation in their low point tally. As a result, they were demoted to third — and thus tasked with writing this report.

All in all, it was a classic day on the Hampton Riviera, with decent hiking breeze and some fun puffs to hook into. Thankfully, due to the good breeze, the on-the-water judge, David Battye, didn't have too much work to do, but was a reassuring presence on the well-behaved fleet. The race committee timed the end of the third race perfectly, as a weather front, resembling something from Ghostbusters, approached ominously down the river. A punchy squall hit just as all boats were safely off the water.

Thanks to Hampton for the hospitality, the occasional sunshine, and the excellent lunch and cakes. We'll definitely be putting the curry night in our diaries for next year!

The next Vintage event is at Trent Valley Sailing Club on Sunday 21st September.

Curry night - Merlin Rockets at Hampton - photo © George Bell

Thames Series open meeting

Nine, mainly Vintage and Classic Merlin Rockets competed in the Hampton Open Meeting, part of the Thames Series Racing, sponsored by Craftinsure.

The forecast was for a freshening westerly wind throughout the day, so the first two races were sailed back to back. Good starts were key, in fact vital, thereby enabling the first few boats to get away in clear wind.

To ensure fair racing, on the water umpire David Battye was at hand to provide useful advice and clarification on the rules and particularly to ensure rule 42 compliance.

Gusty conditions - Merlin Rockets at Hampton - photo © George Bell

Race 1 was won by Stuart Jenkins and Nicola Scaddan who made a good start but were closely followed by Andrew Harris and Sara Warren and John Heath & Sophie Penwarden.

Race 2 John & Deirdre Bell made a good start, got a clear breeze and were never troubled again, with Andrew & Sara second once more and Rob and Hattie Cage third.

This left race three with any one of four boats able to win the day. Andrew and Sara made the best start and had a good lead; however Stuart and Nicola chased him down to ensure a close and exciting finish.

Hampton Sailing Club provided an excellent day of sailing with great race management, and better still bacon sarnies for breakfast, chilli con carne for lunch and tea and cakes to finish.

Sadly the bar was not too troubled as the previous evening, the Merlin's hosted a curry night after the Saturday sailing which ensured a few sore heads in the morning. All in all a great weekend sailing.

Special thanks to George Bell for his expert race management over the two days, and to all duty teams, caterers and the helpers at Hampton Sailing Club for making the weekend such as success.

The next Thames Series sponsored by Craftinsure event is at Ranelagh Sailing Club for their downriver race on Saturday 11th October

Merlin Rockets at Hampton - photo © Angela Penwarden

Results for Vintage meeting:

Results for Thames Series meeting:

Prize-giving - Merlin Rockets at Hampton - photo © George Bell