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Classic Racing at
Banbury
Saturday, 4th September saw an impressive turnout of 11 classic
Merlin Rockets racing in the Merlin Rocket Vintage Wing Open at Banbury SC where the class
has raced since 1950.
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Kate (Merlin Rocket No 1) built in 1946 was the
oldest boat that turned out while representing the next three decades, we had from the
early 1950s 'Magician' (522), Spritefull (507) and Chindit (578); from the 1960s, Ten
Sixty Six, Bright Eyes (1216), Chippyninebee (2046), Busy Bee (2056), and Les Sables
(2120) and two mere youngsters from the early 1970s, Hissing Sid (2819) and Anarchy
(2848). NB Click on any photo to
enlarge it. |
The light wind conditions particularly suited Kate
as her mast is 2½ ft higher than later boats which allowed her to pick up the lightest of
zephyrs.
In the first race, Kate led after the first lap but
then lost the lead to Hissing Sid (2819). In the light winds, the boats that flew
spinnakers did not gain all that much advantage.
Kate rounded the last buoy some way behind Hissing Sid but on the run to the finish line,
Mervyn managed to find a little more wind on the east bank and squeezed through to win by
just some 2ft with Busy Bee (2056) in third.
A leisurely lunch did nothing to improve the wind but rather added some considerable
ballast for the second race which was led from the line by Kate and who retained the lead
to the finish despite the helm's propensity for sailing to the wrong buoys. This time
Spritefull (507) came in second with third place going to Anarchy (2848).
After excellent tea and cake, the third race saw the fleet struggle to make the first mark
as the already light southerly wind went to the west and dropped to virtually nothing.
Busy Bee managed to get her nose in front and held the lead to the finish as the wind
increased slightly. Hissing Sid fought through from a poor start into second place with
Kate relegated to third.
With two wins, Kate helmed by Mervyn Allen and crewed by Lora Stock, was again proved to
be a difficult act to beat in light conditions. The next two places went to Banbury boats
with Busy B in second and Hissing Sid in third.
| The Levin 'boys' were particularly impressive as this
was Busy B's first outing for many years as she had been stored for many years and
recently restored to superb condition. Even more impressive was that the 'boys' managed
such a good result despite admitting to an all-up crew weight in the 30 stone region! |
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The prizes were presented by Elizabeth Dearns, the
Commodore of Banbury Sailing Club. There was also an additional award for Mervyn Allen
made by Tim Bury of 1066 in recognition of Mervyn's work in putting together a very
successful vintage wing programme.
Thanks to all who made the day such a success and Banbury looks forward to welcoming the
Vintage Wing back in 2005. Who knows, perhaps we can attract the 30+ turnouts that come
along for the Silver Tiller Open each year?
Richard Turner
Merlin Rocket Fleet Captain
Banbury Sailing Club
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Boat |
Name |
Helm |
Crew |
Club |
R 1 |
R 2 |
R 3 |
Total |
1st |
1 |
Kate |
Mervyn
Allen |
Lora
Stock |
Ranelagh
SC |
1 |
1 |
2 |
2 |
2nd |
2056 |
Busy
B |
Ian
Levin |
R
Levin |
Banbury
SC |
3 |
4 |
1 |
4 |
3rd |
2819 |
Hissing
Sid |
Jon
Embrey |
Jennie
Jones |
Banbury
SC |
2 |
7 |
2 |
4 |
4th |
507 |
Spriteful |
Chris
Barlow |
Lois
Barlow |
Shearwater
SC |
5 |
2 |
4 |
6 |
5th |
2848 |
Anarchy |
Nick
Price |
Catherine
Price |
Ranelagh
SC |
4 |
3 |
12 |
7 |
6th |
1066 |
Ten
Sixty Six |
Tim
Bury |
Pat
Kuenzler |
Banbury
SC |
8 |
5 |
6 |
11 |
7th |
2046 |
Chippyninebee |
Dave
Nickson |
Andy
Nickson |
Shustoke
SC |
7 |
8 |
5 |
12 |
8th |
578 |
Chindit |
Jonathan
Reubin |
tbc |
Brightlingsea
SC |
6 |
9 |
7 |
13 |
9th |
522 |
Magician |
David
Trott |
Roger
Pass |
Midland
SC |
10 |
6 |
12 |
16 |
10th |
2120 |
Les
Sables |
Jeremy
Wright |
Ray
Tyner |
Dorchester
SC |
9 |
11 |
8 |
17 |
11th |
1216 |
Bright
Eyes |
Mike
Leonard |
Steve
Leonard |
4th
Sea Scouts |
12 |
10 |
12 |
22 |
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Banbury Sailing Club
