Banbury Sailing Club 

Contents

Vintage Merlin Rocket Open

111 - Secret Water

The first race got off to a fairly relaxed start in a gentle force 2 north westerly wind with the PDO setting an interesting course around the reservoir to make the most of the water that was left.
 

Kate leads off the line

Kate (Mervyn Allen & Laura Stock) led the way off the line but was chased down on the second lap by fellow Ranelagh club members, Christopher & Alison Edwards in Merlin’s Moon (2406) and Nick & Catherine Price in Mojo (2134). Ian & Ruby Levin in Busy B(2056) came through into first place on the fourth circuit but then forgot to head for the finish line thinking that there was another lap and the gun was taken by Mojo. Mojo came in third with Tim Bury & Pat Kunzler in Ten Sixty Six in fourth place. Les Sables from Dorchester SC had to retire from the race as a result of a shroud plate pulling out and unfortunately was unable to take any further part.

A Better Start

After a 'light' lunch with ample cream and custard, the competitors took to the water again to find that the wind had increased very slightly. This time Merlin’s Moon and Busy Bee both got good starts and hotly contested the lead over the next four laps with Merlin’s Moon just managing to take first place from Busy B with Ten Sixty Six in third and Kate fourth.

Spinnaker flying inside jib	Fighting for the lead	Busy B takes the lead

Following a leisurely tea, with Merlin’s Moon, Busy B and Mojo all in the hunt, the fleet took to the water again for the deciding race. This time, both Merlin’s Moon and Busy B started well closely followed by Ten Sixty Six and Mojo. Busy B got into the lead on the second lap and managed to hold this lead to the gun with Merlin’s Moon finishing second, Mojo third and Ten Sixty Six in fourth.

This gave Ian and Ruby Levin, from the home club, the Vintage Banbury Cross Shield with Merlin’s Moon on the same points and only 2nd as a result of Ian’s win in the last race. Mojo came in third with Ten Sixty Six fourth and Kate in a very respectable fifth place.
 

The Vintage Banbury Cross Shield was first presented in 1952 and was awarded until 1965 to the winner of the Silver Tiller Open at Banbury. In 1965, the shield was replaced for the main Open and the old shield has recently been resurrected for the Vintage Merlin Rocket Open. Interestingly, the early winners include such notable names as Jack Holt of Ranelagh and J L Brain of Midland.

The last time that it was won by a Banbury SC member was David Peachey in 1957. He must have been quite good as he was also third in the overall Merlin Rocket Silver Tiller series in 1957!

Thanks to the PDO and duty crew who kept things running smoothly all day and to Norman for his usual sterling work in the bar keeping our fluids level topped up. Thanks also to the various cake and pudding providers and to the superb cook (whom I am too modest to name) for making sure that everybody had too much for lunch.
Richard Turner