Merlin Rocket Craftinsure Silver Tiller, HD Sails Midland Circuit and Classic Series at Blithfield

Sunnier than hoped for, drier than expected and windier than any forecast, it was a good day to go sailing. Blithfield Sailing Club welcomed eighteen Merlins to the one day HD Sails Midland Circuit, Craftinsure Silver Tiller and Classic Series open with surprisingly good autumn weather.

Start was scheduled for noon, so time for rigging and breakfast in the club beforehand. Mike and Jane Calvert getting the prize for longest distance travelled, not their last prize of the day.

Craftinsure Silver Tiller, Classic and Midland Circuit event at Blithfield - photo © Cliff Sagar

Race 1

Getting overenthusiastic the fleet provoked a general recall on their first start. The wind was a nice force 2 or more with plenty of shifts and gusts to work with. At the first mark a blue spinnaker hoisted first followed by a white one, Mike and Jane followed by Dave Winder and Beka Jones. Whilst these boats got away there was plenty of place changing behind through the fleet. Steve and Gill Leney lost out to James Goss and Chris White on the first lap as they both tussled with Rob Kennaugh and Andrew Prosser. James and Chris sped down the final run across the lake to pip Dave and Beka for second behind Mike and Jane.

Craftinsure Silver Tiller, Classic and Midland Circuit event at Blithfield - photo © Cliff Sagar

Race 2

A bit sunnier and perhaps surprisingly the wind remained strong enough for excellent racing; although the shifts were now getting larger. The starting gun was delayed as a huge shift disrupted the sequence and we started again. Despite the restarted sequence the line became port biased and the fleet set off, mostly on port tack. The first beat looked extra tricky as the wind shifted back again. Once more the first boat to the windward mark belonged to Steve and Gill followed by Dave and Beka, a gap to James and Chris and then Paul and Izzy Keeling. Much place changing then followed, Steve and Gill were passed and Dave and Becka who took first place, James and Chris second and Mike and Jane squirreled their way to third through most of the fleet after a poor start.

Craftinsure Silver Tiller, Classic and Midland Circuit event at Blithfield - photo © Cliff Sagar

Mike and Jane Calvert - First Overall at the Craftinsure Silver Tiller, Classic and Midland Circuit event at Blithfield - photo © Cliff Sagar

Two boats over at the start, the fleet continued to enjoy the nice breeze and sunshine for race three. Once again Steve and Gill turned around the windward mark in first place. Mike and Jane showed their speed in their "new-old-boat" and overtook Steve and Gill.

Dave and Beka were a couple of places further back and needed to put daylight between themselves and Mike and Jane to win the event and keep ahead of James and Chris to maintain second. They managed the latter but Mike and Jane continued to lead and won the event.

This event concludes the HD Sails Midland Circuit 2026.

The next Craftinsure Silver Tiller is at Stone Sailing Club on Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th October.

The next Classic Series event is at Ranelagh Sailing Club on Saturday 11th October.

Tickets are on sale for the end of season Dinner and Dance at Lymington Town Sailing on Saturday 18th October, join the class and celebrate with the fleet as we welcome in our 80th year of the class.

Overall Results: