Merlin Rocket HD Sails Midland Circuit, Classic & Craftinsure Vintage Series at Trent Valley SC

Light winds for the Merlin Rocket HD Sails Midland Circuit, Classic Series and Craftinsure Vintage Series at Trent Valley © Helen Neaverson

The day dawned bright but chilly at Trent Valley, location for the next round of the Midland, Classic and Vintage Series. We were greeted with bacon sandwiches and tea while looking at beautiful views of the River Trent and surrounding countryside.

For Race 1 the Race Officer set us a long course with an upstream start. The breeze was from the North, light and sometimes fluky. After a general recall, Steve & Gill Leney in 3716 (Winder Mark 4 design) got a good start keeping close into the Southbank and out of the stream. They were chased by the rest of the fleet led by Stuart Jenkins/ Nicola Scaddan 723 (Martine design) closely followed by Peter Slack/ Ann Britton 578 (Martine design). Halfway to the first mark the wind dropped, and the two Vintage Martine design boats overtook the Leney's with Peter/ Ann taking the lead from Stuart/ Nicola. Just before the mark the wind dropped further grouping 723, 578, 3716 and 3732 (Winder Mark 5) sailed by Paul Hollis/ Paula Mason together whilst waiting for the wind to stabilise. Stuart and Nicola picked up the breeze first and managed to round the mark allowing them brake away from the pack to establish a good lead to finish first. Paul/ Paula finished second and Steve/ Gill third.

The course for Race 2 was shortened slightly, with a dogleg that took the fleet into the mouth of the canal next to the Club. The second race got off to a clean start with Steve/ Gill and Paul/ Paula leading the fleet. With the wind filling in from behind, places within the fleet constantly changed on the first leg. As the fleet approached the first mark the wind dropped once more. Stuart/ Nicola gybed out of the pack to get tight into the bank where they picked up the new wind to get round the mark first. They pulled out a lead but were chased by Paul/ Paula, Steve/ Gill, Peter/ Ann, Chris Howarth/ Mike Hamilton sailing 2663 (Tyrannosaurus Rex design) and Guy Browne/ Andy Diggle sailing 2681 (Phantom Kipper design). Stuart and Nicola claimed first again, to win the event with one race to spare, with Peter/ Ann second and Paul/ Paula third.

Very close racing during the Merlin Rocket HD Sails Midland Circuit, Classic Series and Craftinsure Vintage Series at Trent Valley - photo © Helen Neaverson

Race 3 had the same dog leg, but with a further shortened course and more laps. After a second general recall of the day, Steve/ Gill got a great start to lead the fleet chased Paul/ Paula and Stuart/ Nicola. Unfortunately, shortly after the start Steve and Gill ran aground in the shallows and were forced to retired. This left Paul/ Paula in the lead chased by Stuart/ Nicola and Peter and his new crew Helen Diggle. After three laps Stuart/ Nicola got passed Paul/ Paula who later retired after hitting a mark leaving Peter/ Helen to take second place with Chris/ Mike in third.

After the racing and packing away of boats we all sat down to a very welcome and legendary Trent Valley Roast lunch, this year roast pork followed by fruit salad with ice-cream which was superb!

Post sailing dinner during the Merlin Rocket HD Sails Midland Circuit, Classic Series and Craftinsure Vintage Series at Trent Valley - photo © TVSC

Guy Browne hosted the prize-giving and thanked the competitors, sponsors and everyone involved in running an excellent event.

The overall event and Vintage Series were won by Stuart Jenkins and Nicola Scaddan in their Vintage boat and the first Classic Series was won by David Lucas and Robyn Taylor in 3581 (Mark 1 Winder).

Stuart Jenkins and Nicola Scaddan win the Vintage fleet during the Merlin Rocket HD Sails Midland Circuit, Classic Series and Craftinsure Vintage Series at Trent Valley - photo © TVSC

Special thanks to Guy Browne who organised the event, John Richardson and his Race Team for their expert race management, the Club Stewards for the excellent Roast Lunch and to all the helpers at Trent Valley Sailing Club for making the event such as success.

The next HD Sails Midland Series is at Blithfield Sailing Club on Sunday 28th September.

The next Vintage Series event sponsored by Craftinsure is at Ranelagh Sailing Club on Saturday 11th October and is a Downriver Race.

Sponsors

Midland Series - HD Sails
Vintage Series - Craftinsure

Classic Results:

Vintage Results:

Midland Circuit Open Results: