Comet Western Aphelion Series at Merthyr Tydfil Sailing Club
by Mark Govier 9 Sep 16:59 BST
6 September 2026
Beneath the mist shrouded peaks of Pen-y-Fan and Cribyn, Merthyr Tydfil Sailing Club can have "tricky" winds. However, today, the nine entrants were greeted by a good steady southerly wind, straight up the reservoir. With around 10 knots coming from the south we were in for a nice day of sailing.
The race crew adjusted the marks to suit the water level and wind and we were all set for the 1100 briefing. There were two "new" Comet sailors taking part today: Adrian and Vanessa of Merthyr Tydfil Sailing Club who had borrowed boats for the day. Also borrowing a boat was Alun Bevan of Tata Steel Sailing club, whose tow car had recently broken down.
The race officers set a lovely course, ideal for the wind, the sailors and the spectators. The club was able to use their conventional starting sequence of lights from the clubhouse, making the race officer's job far more comfortable.
Race 1
The steady and straight wind encouraged a good close start with all boats over the line within a few seconds. On the first beat, Chris Robinson (Comet 867 of Burghfield SC) got to the front and covered Ben Palmer (Comet 597, Baltic Wharf SC) to the windward mark (1). They were closely followed by Eddie Pope (Comet 377, Civil Service Sailing Association) and Mark Govier (Comet 667, Merthyr Tydfil SC).
On the second beat to 1 Mark Govier managed to squeeze ahead of Eddie. Then on the final leg towards the line, Mark Govier managed to squeeze ahead of Ben who had been preoccupied trying to catch Chris, Mark securing second place by a second or two..
Lunch
A lovely lunch of chilli was very welcome. However, as we were settling down to our dessert apple pies and custard, a little rain sprinkled across the patio, people were rushing to head inside but were assured it was "nothing" and true to promise, it stopped in about 20 seconds.
However, this was clearly the leading edge of a squall or minor front as the wind steadily increased to almost 20 knots. The race officer was on the verge of postponing the start, however we got on the water for the second and third races shortly after 1300...
Race 2
After lunch there was another good close start but with the near "survival conditions" at times, the front of the fleet were close at the windward mark, rounded first by Chris, very closely followed by Ben then a little way back Eddie had stayed in front of Mark. Whilst the boats occasionally came close again during the following laps, the wind reduced in strength slightly, the finishing order was unchanged, Chris first, Ben second, Eddie third.
Race 3
Chris did not start the final race making the result of the final race very relevant to the next three boats. For those who did start in the slightly more moderate wind there was another close start though crossing the line a second or two after the hoot. On completion of the first lap, Ben and Mark were closely followed by Alun Bevan (Comet 426, Tata Steel SC).
But on the second lap Eddie had overhauled Alun Bevan downwind and then a rushed cover tack and dropped tiller by Mark Govier allowed Eddie past. Eddie successfully covered Mark for the remainder of the race securing second place at the finish behind Ben, followed by Mark in third.
Conclusion
Thanks to Ian Charles and Thomas Bevan who acted as Race Officer for the day. Hopefully partly making up for Thomas not being able to sail due to his father's car's breakdown. Also to Nick Heuvel who organised the prizes and catering for the day - simple, tasty and filling; the ballast helped with the increased wind for the second race. He also loaned his boat to Alun. Then the several people who assisted on a busy safety boat and those who helped move trollies or cleaned the club earlier.
Congratulations too for both Vanessa and Adrian who sailed loaned Comets for the first time in an open meeting; brave. It was very worthwhile for Adrian who won the "Tippy Toblerone" prize for maximal capsize action and dedication in 460 loaned by Sarah, and for Vanessa who was "first Lady" borrowing Rob's boat 581.
Overall Results:
| Pos | Sail No | Helm | Club | R1 | R2 | R3 | Pts |
|---|
| 1 | 867 | Chris Robinson | Burghfield SC | 1 | 1 | DNC | 2 |
| 2 | 597 | Ben Palmer | Baltic Wharf SC | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| 3 | 377 | Eddie Pope | Civil Service SA | 4 | 3 | 2 | 5 |
| 4 | 667 | Mark Govier | Merthyr Tydfil SC | 2 | 4 | 3 | 5 |
| 5 | 426 | Alun Bevan | Tata Steel SC | 6 | 5 | 4 | 9 |
| 6 | 581 | Vanessa Paschke | Merthyr Tydfil SC | 7 | 6 | 5 | 11 |
| 7 | 864 | Peter Mountford | Staunton Harold SC | 5 | RTD | 6 | 11 |
| 8 | 460 | Adrian Holmes | Merthyr Tydfil SC | 8 | 9 | 7 | 15 |
| 9 | 800 | Henry Jaggers | Beer SC | RTD | RTD | RTD | 20 |