Merlin Rocket Craftinsure Silver Tiller and Rowsell Sails Thames Series at Tamesis Club

Tamesis Craftinsure Silver Tiller and Rowsell Sails Thames Series © Chris Wade @chriswaderowingphotography

The Merlin Rocket fleet arrived at Tamesis Club on Sunday 21 June for one of the season's most distinctive events, with the Craftinsure Silver Tiller joined by the Sondown Cup, Porteous Cup and Southcott Cups forming the Rowsell Sails Thames Series, Craftinsure Vintage Series and the Classic Series event. After many competitors had already enjoyed a full day's racing in Saturday's Tideway Dinghy Derby, another day of tactical Thames racing awaited.

The outlook on Sunday morning was far from encouraging. A hesitant north-north-easterly left the river almost glassy as crews rigged eighteen Merlins before retreating to the clubhouse for bacon sandwiches, coffee and plenty of discussion over whether racing would be possible at all. Race Officer Peter Fryer wisely postponed proceedings while waiting for the breeze to settle, but shortly before midday the wind finally filled sufficiently to get racing under way.

A downstream river course, with all marks left to port, produced classic Tamesis racing where every shift, gust and patch of tide offered opportunities to gain - or lose - several places. The compact fleet remained closely contested throughout the day with positions changing continuously as crews searched for pressure across the river.

The event also attracted several competitors fresh from the Tideway Dinghy Derby, with Rob and Hatty Cage, Stuart Jenkins and Nicola Scaddan returning after Saturday's racing, while Ollie Houseman swapped crews for Peter Impey for the day.

Tamesis Craftinsure Silver Tiller and Rowsell Sails Thames Series - photo © Caroline Vines

Andy Harris and Lyra Wade, sailing Crescendo, mastered the opening race to record the first win of the day before the fleet returned ashore for lunch. With the breeze now more established, the final two races were sailed back-to-back during the afternoon, providing a fitting conclusion to a highly competitive meeting.

Richard Harris and Sara Warren, sailing Passing Cloud, found another gear in the afternoon, producing two race victories to secure the overall event honours. Consistency throughout the fleet meant that every position mattered, with close racing from start to finish ensuring the Craftinsure Silver Tiller and Rowsell Sails points remained hard earned.

Tamesis Craftinsure Silver Tiller and Rowsell Sails Thames Series - photo © Chris Wade @chriswaderowingphotography

Following racing, competitors gathered in the clubhouse where Vice Commodore Ros Warwick-Haller presented the prizes before sailors enjoyed tea, chocolate cake and refreshments from the bar while discussing another memorable day on the Tideway the day before

Tamesis Sailing Club and the Merlin Rocket Owners' Association extends thanks to Merlin Class Captain Rob Hatley, Rear Commodore Sailing Peter Impey and Honorary Sailing Secretary Joe Woods for coordinating the event, together with Race Officer Peter Fryer and Pauline Fryer, Sean and Bethan Roberts on patrol boat duty, and the kitchen and bar volunteers led by Nim Harris, Jacqui Harris, Sally Warwick-Haller and Carolyne Vines, whose efforts ensured a warm welcome both afloat and ashore.

Richard Harris and Sara Warren win the Tamesis Craftinsure Silver Tiller and Rowsell Sails Thames Series - photo © Caroline Vines

1st ST, Thames & Vintage Series (plus ST Silver Fleet Winner) Richard Harris & Sara Warren
2nd ST, Thames & Vintage Series Andrew Harris & Lyra Wade
3rd ST, Thames & Vintage Series (plus ST Bronze Fleet Winner) Ollie Houseman & Peter Impey

1st Junior Lyra Wade

The next Craftinsure Silver Tiller is at Burton Sailing CLub on Sunday 28th June the event is also a combined Vintage and Classic Series event. The Next Rowsell Sails Thames Series event is at Upper Thames Sailing Club on Sunday 6th September as part of the classes 80th Celebrations.

Overall Results:

The boats may not be in a line but the geese are during the Tamesis Craftinsure Silver Tiller and Rowsell Sails Thames Series - photo © Caroline Vines