 |
Merlin Rocket Silver Tiller Open Meeting
FULL RESULTS
Sunday
19th April 2009
at Banbury
Sailing Club
Sunday 19th
April saw 33 Merlin Rockets gather at Banbury SC on Boddington Reservoir
for the Silver Tiller and Midland Circuit Open Meeting. The day was initially
a somewhat cloudy but soon developed into bright sunshine with the downside
of a very light easterly / north-easterly wind – not the best direction
on this water.
The opening race got away with only one over the line and Faithless (Richard
Whitworth & Sally Townend) taking an early lead over Attack of the
Clones (Dave Winder & Pippa Taylor), Phantom Menace (Jen Tayler &
Chris Dodds), Hot Totty (Pat Blake & Gilly Blake) and Business As
Usual (Glen Truswell & Olly Turner). The wind swung round more to
the north during the race and Faithless managed to open out a lead on
the following pack which was held to the end. Behind the leader, Hot Totty
steadily moved up to take second place from Attack of the Clones in third
and Business As Usual in fourth. Towards the back of the field, Love of
the Rocks had to retire as the helm was unable to identify the vegetarian
lasagne whilst under spinnaker and was forced ashore to find that the
galley crew had classified it as a pudding as it was in a round dish!
After all everybody knows that lasagne comes in rectangular sheets and
therefore cannot be in a round dish!
The second race was run back to back with a change of course to accommodate
the wind shift. The fleet got away cleanly on the first attempt with Monkey
Business (Alex Jackson & Fran Gifford) taking the early lead followed
by Hot Totty, Business As Usual, Carbonator (Steve & Gill Leney) and
Quick Fix (Mike Calvert & Chris Downham). Monkey Business held on
to her lead on the second lap but there was some place swopping behind
with Carbonator coming through into second place from Quick Fix, Hot Totty
and Smart Tart (Simon Blake & Phil Dalby). Monkey Business held off
Quick Fix to take the gun with Hot Totty in third and Carbonator fourth.
After a leisurely lunch, the fleet took to the water again, back on the
first course sailed to take account of yet another wind shift. With five
boats in with a good chance of a win, the fleet were a little too keen
at the start and a general recall ensued. The second start, under black
flag got away cleanly with nobody over the line. This time, it was Attack
of the Clones who took an early lead from Business As Usual, Quick Fix,
Stomper (Tom Stewart & Liam Dempsey) and Faithless. Attack of the
Clones successfully held on to the lead to take the race with Quick Fix
in second, Faithless in third and Business As Usual fourth.
At the end of the day, the first boats in the first three places were
all tied on 4 points and, after much head scratching, rule book consultation
and ‘asking the experts’, the winner was declared to be Attack of the
Clones helmed by Dave Winder & crewed by Pippa Taylor of Hollingsworth
Lake SC. Second was Faithless, Richard Whitworth & Sally Townend of
Hollingsworth Lake SC and third was Quick Fix, Mike Calvert & Chris
Downham of Axe SC. Prizes were also awarded to the first Mature boat (20+
years old) and this went to Jon Steward and Nick Yannakoyorgos of Wembley
SC who came in 19th in Cream Cracker (2997) built in 1975 and the prize
for the first Prime of Life boat (between 10 & 20 years old) went
to Andy & Chris Bownes in 3510, The Resurrection which came in 18th
overall.
Thanks to the duty crew ably led by Club President, Dave Cornish, the
catering team who kept everybody fed, those behind the bar and to Rod
Bowes for the excellent photos. Without such helpers the day would not
have been possible nor as enjoyable for everyone.
Many sponsors deserve a mention here too… Speed Sails sponsor the Silver
Tiller series, and the following companies sponsor the Midland Circuit:
Alverbanks Sails, Batt Sails, Dirtyhands, Dunoon Ceramics, MF Promotions,
Paintcraft, Pinnell & Bax, Winder Boats. Thanks to all.
Richard Turner
Merlin Rocket Fleet Captain
Banbury Sailing Club
FULL RESULTS
|
Leaders
Gybing
Long
Reach down the lake
Shouts
for Room ??
Cream
Cracker holds off some youngsters!
Lots
of Spinnaker work
|
