Midland Vintage Racing 2004
The first open meeting of the Vintage Merlin Series took place at Midland SC on Saturday 1st May
and the racing was close and enjoyable.
The wind was force 1-2 from the east and the first race round a tight triangular course was run
using Portsmouth Yardstick with the adjustments recommended in the Year Book.
The Entertainer (2706), sailed by David and Chris Homer, took an early lead up the first beat and
seemed destined to run away with things until the third lap when they lost a spinnaker sheet under
the bow. At this point Mervyn Allen and Glen Thomas sailed into the lead, hotly pursued by
Les Brain’s Championship winning boat from 1955 Magician (522). Crewed by David Trott and Paul Leather.
The Entertainer soon overcame her problems and, being the only boat flying a kite, fought her way back
into the lead to cross the line ahead of Kate. On corrected time Kate beat The Entertainer by
11 seconds, with Magician a minute behind.
The second race was run as a pursuit with start times based on performance in the first race.
Magician held off Kate until the third lap and eventually The Entertainer came through to take
the lead a couple of laps from home. Kate finished second, but not without a fright from Magician,
which came from quite a way back to finish a few yards behind in third position.
This was a promising start to the Series and Ranelagh are hoping for a bumper turnout at their
Vintage Event on Saturday 5th June.
Report: Mike Anslow
Photos: Demelza Mitchell
Results:
1st equal Kate 1 Mervyn Allen & Glen Thomas Ranelagh
1st equal The Entertainer 2706 David Homer & Chris Homer Midland
3rd Magician 522 David Trott & Paul Leather Midland
