Helly Hansen Merlin Rocket Week 2026 at Salcombe Yacht Club - Day 5

Day 5 AM — Green v Black

Another sunny, warm morning greeted the fleet for Day 5 of the 2026 Helly Hansen Merlin Rocket Week, although the breeze was doing its best to stay on holiday. There was just enough wind to get the boats away cleanly, with the Race Officer setting a compact course around the main harbour.

Mark Stockbridge and James Gifford in 3727 made the early running, leading Christian and Sam in 3788 and Ollie and Alex in 3771, as the front-runners favoured the town side off the start. The first downwind leg then delivered another classic 2026 Merlin Rocket Week moment: a full park-up at Crossways.

Helly Hansen Merlin Rocket Week at Salcombe Yacht Club Day 5 Morning Race - photo © Lucy Burn

When the fleet finally found some pressure, 3788 emerged in front, followed by Rebecca and Rob in 3691, Dave and Beka in 3827, and Mike and Jane in 3829, with 3727 dropping back to fifth. As the breeze slowly improved, Tom and Rachel began their recovery up the town side after a tricky first beat, while Tom and Tommy in 3683, Antony and Jo in 3676, and Will and Arthur in 3726 also made gains in the chasing pack.

By the second rounding of X, 3788 had built a useful lead. Behind them, the Giffords worked into second, 3829 held third, and Gillard/Gray had climbed to fourth. While Christian and Sam continued to lead up the Portlemouth shore, Antony and Jo again backed the town side. With pressure appearing and disappearing across the harbour, picking the right side at the right time was everything.

Helly Hansen Merlin Rocket Week at Salcombe Yacht Club Day 5 Morning Race - photo © Lucy Burn

Christian and Sam controlled the race from the front to take a deserved win. The fight for second was rather more stressful, with the Giffords holding off a late charge from the Calverts and Tom and Rachel to secure second, with the latter two finishing third and fourth respectively all within a couple of boat lengths.

With the morning race complete and the sunshine still delivering, the fleet could now look forward to an afternoon on the beach, a swim in the harbour and, for many, the important tactical decision of where to find the best ice cream before racing resumed.

Helly Hansen Merlin Rocket Week at Salcombe Yacht Club Day 5 Morning Race - photo © Lucy Burn

Day 5 PM — South West Light Breeze

A light south-westerly breeze built nicely for the afternoon race, giving the fleet enough wind to stretch their legs and get hiking.

With Mark W as the first mark, the fleet split early. Some teams headed over the Hippie Sandbar, while others chose to stay in the middle and make use of the stronger tide. Alex Jackson and Alex Warren, along with Caroline Gould and Livvy Bell, led the way across the sandbar, while Chris Gould and Sophie Mackley took the fleet out towards Blackstone.

Helly Hansen Merlin Rocket Week at Salcombe Yacht Club Day 5 Afternoon Race - photo © Lucy Burn

The two Alexes rounded Mark W first, ahead of Jenny Dodds and Pippa Kilsby, with James Goss and Chris White also close behind. This leading group then headed back into the harbour, but Caroline and Livvy in broke free from the pack and began to close rapidly on those ahead.

A long run against the tide followed to Mark 5, where Jenny and Pippa and James and Chris made an early move across at the Ferry Landing. It proved to be a crucial decision, with Wells/Aylward and Davis/Dodds also crossing early and quickly closing on the front group.

Helly Hansen Merlin Rocket Week at Salcombe Yacht Club Day 5 Afternoon Race - photo © Lucy Burn

Jenny and Pippa led around Saltstone from James and Chris, with a tightly packed chasing group of 3823, 3803, 3824, 3746, 3786 and 3820 all still very much in contention.

Jenny and Pippa extended their lead through the Bag, but James and Chris fought back strongly as the breeze increased again in the main harbour. Jenny and Pippa remained composed throughout, sailing a super-slick and intelligent final downwind leg to take an excellent win ahead of James and Chris.

Helly Hansen Merlin Rocket Week at Salcombe Yacht Club Day 5 Afternoon Race - photo © Lucy Burn

Chris and Sophie were best of the rest, while the two Alex's limped across the finish after their rig tension failed on the final beat.

The result keeps Jenny and Pippa's title hopes alive as the fleet heads into the final day of what has been a hugely challenging and closely fought regatta.

Helly Hansen Merlin Rocket Week at Salcombe Yacht Club Day 5 Afternoon Race - photo © Lucy Burn

Results after day 5: