Banbury Sailing Club 

Contents

Merlin Rocket Silver Tiller Open 2006 Report

Merlin Rockets Open the Season at Banbury

The first Silver Tiller Open of 2006 held at Banbury Sailing Club, welcomed 38 boats from all over the country to a reservoir full of water, a brisk south westerly wind and all the latest fliers on display along with a good sprinkling of older boats.

The first race saw the fleet cleanly away with Loosed Canon (Tom Stewart & Chris Downham) just making it first round the windward mark hotly pursued by Djelibeybi (Will Rainey & Rachel Williamson), Mr Brightside (Andy Davis & Tom Jefcote) and Business as Usual (Mike Calvert & Alex Jackson).  Loosed Canon managed to hold on to this lead for the next three laps to win while all changed behind with Storm Cloud (Glen Truswell & Jim Lowbridge), Djelibeybi (Will Rainey & Rachel Williamson) and Attack of the Clones (David Winder & Matt Calvert) coming through for the three places.

The second race was run back to back and again got away first time with Chris Lewns & Jane Beaumont in 3666 making a good start.  They were first around the windward mark and managed to hold this lead over for the rest of the race over Mr Brightside (Andy Davis & Tom Jefcote) to take the gun at the finish.  Mr Brightside came in second, Storm Cloud (Glen Truswell & Jim Lowbridge) third and Loosed Canon fourth.

After refuelling on an excellent lunch with the aim of taking on extra ballast to cope with the wind which had been increasing, the fleet came out to a new course as the wind backed more southerly and then decreased as the rain came down.  The race situation was quite open with Loosed Canon and Storm Cloud both tied on5 points but with four other boats ( 3666, Mr Brightside, Attack of the Clones and Filthy / Gorgeous) still able to take the Banbury Cross Trophy if they achieved a win in the last race.

With the leaders keen to achieve a good start inevitably the first start led to a general recall before the fleet got away cleanly second time around.  To put the matter beyond doubt, Loosed Canon led from the off and held on to take the gun and the meeting.  Business as Usual took second followed by Storm Cloud, Filthy / Gorgeous and Attack of the Clones.

The Banbury Cross trophy was presented by David Glanville, Commodore of Banbury SC, to locals Tom Stewart & Chris Downham in Loosed Canon representing Northampton SC.  Glen Truswell & Jim Lowbridge in Storm Cloud came in second place and Mike Calvert & Alex Jackson in Business as Usual in third.  To mirror the prize structure on the Midland Circuit, prizes were also awarded to Richard Dee & Liese Scott in Shooting Tsar from Midland SC as the first Prime of Life boat (more than 10 years old and less than 20) and also to Ian & Ruby Levin in Busy Be from Banbury SC as the first Mature boat (more than 20 years old).

Thanks to the duty crew ably led by Club President, Dave Cornish, the catering team who kept everybody fed and Norman behind the bar.  Without such helpers the day would not have been possible nor as enjoyable for everyone.

After the presentations, many of the fleet proceeded on to Midland SC for an evening of fun and games before the second Silver Tiller of the weekend to be held at Midland SC on the Sunday.

We look forward to welcoming everyone back next year.

Richard Turner
Merlin Rocket Fleet Captain
Banbury Sailing Club

FULL RESULTS