Merlin Rocket River Championships 2025 at Upper Thames Sailing Club

Heading in all directions at the Merlin Rocket River Championships as part of Bourne End Week © Tony Ketley

Merlin Rocket River Champs run on patience, sunshine and consistency at Upper Thames

Three days of fabulous hot weather and light winds tested competitors and race officials alike this weekend at Upper Thames Sailing Club for the Merlin Rocket River Championships part of Bourne End Week 2026 from the 23rd to 25th May.

The River Championships saw an eighteen-boat fleet descend on the club for three days of competition accompanied by family and friends to cheer them on. The event delivered a classic river-meeting contrast: glorious sunshine ashore and at times barely enough pressure on the water to keep a championship moving.

Merlin Rocket River Championships as part of Bourne End Week - photo © Tony Ketley

Saturday's opening day began in light airs, but the race team made the most of the conditions to complete two races. In the tricky, stop-start breeze, Alex Jackson and Anna Blake in 1493 'Katy Lou' proved the standout pairing from the outset, taking first place in both races and establishing an early grip on the event.

Sunday brought more Bank Holiday sunshine, but unfortunately this time the breeze failed to get the message. After an impromptu masterclass in the meaning of the various postponement flags, the difficult but sensible decision was taken to abandon racing for the day.

Modern and Vintage at the Merlin Rocket River Championships as part of Bourne End Week - photo © Tony Ketley

With the championship temporarily becalmed, attention turned to the next generation, as young would-be Merlin sailors made the most of the unseasonal weather on paddleboards and canoes, turning a frustrating day for racers into a very enjoyable one for those simply keen to get afloat.

There was useful work going on ashore too, with Dan Alsop and his trusty tape measure on hand to offer the fleet some friendly measurement 'advice' ahead of the tighter requirements due to be introduced for this event next year. By Monday — the morning after the Cocktail Party — the fleet was once again greeted by wall-to-wall sunshine and, in some quarters, the lingering effects of the previous evening.

Locals Guy and Tre Jacobs at the Merlin Rocket River Championships as part of Bourne End Week - photo © Tony Ketley

This time the wind eventually played its part, building enough for one final race and giving the championship a proper conclusion on the water.

The final start was not without drama, with several boats over the line and some of the leading contenders ultimately missing out on a score after a hot and hard-fought race. None of that, however, altered the overall outcome at the top. Jackson and Blake completed a clean sweep across the weekend to take the title in emphatic style, ahead of Ollie Houseman and Egle Tumosa in second, Stuart Jenkins and Nicola Scaddan in third with Pete and Debbie Walker in fourth.

Close tacking at the Merlin Rocket River Championships as part of Bourne End Week - photo © Tony Ketley

The fleet now looks forward to returning to Upper Thames on 5th & 6th September for its 80th Anniversary Celebrations, with a full regatta programme planned, including a Champion of Champions race featuring past winners spanning the generations.

Special thanks to Richard Pausey, Commodore and PRO for Bourne End Week 2026 and all the helpers at Upper Thames Sailing Club for making the event such as success.

Light wind start at the Merlin Rocket River Championships as part of Bourne End Week - photo © Tony Ketley

Overall Results:

Heading upwind at the Merlin Rocket River Championships as part of Bourne End Week - photo © Tony Ketley

Navigating past the moored Thames A Raters at the Merlin Rocket River Championships as part of Bourne End Week - photo © Tony Ketley