Thank you to Megan, Clive, Matt and Ben for the report.
From Frensham with love. Last day report from the Aspire Merlin Rocket National Championships in Tenby and what a week. We’ve had every weather under the sun. Thankfully we ended on sunshine which was a bonus unlike Salcombe. Wednesday night saw lots of tactical AP over A drinking which seemed to pay off. Thursday brought a mix of entertainment. The most important being the golf competition organised by Geoff and Helen Kimber. At the time of writing, it’s a secret who won but they seemed to enjoy it. It is a tradition that everyone who can hack at a ball seems to enjoy. Onto today. Wind was forecasted to appear from the South West at 1pm and it was actually on time. We had a nice float out. Rick was showing us his lovely red fluffy Tenby crab in the boat park and the comment was you can’t leave Tenby without crabs!
The race in the end was nice, with a discard coming in points and places were up for grabs. I’m afraid we didn’t see much of the front end of the fleet. Matt and Ben Shorrock said it was play the shifts. The front 4 and 5 were quick. Even Ben Saxton managed to spin at the spreader mark and finished 2nd. Mike and Jane Calvert were having a great end to the week adding the Silent World trophy to their cabinet. The platinum leaders Christian Birrell and Sam Brearey were fighting hard as were Stuart Bithell and Tom Pygall. It came down to a single point in the end with Christian and Sam just taking it. It is really impressive watching this generation sail. Taxi Davis and Ollie Meadowcroft took 3rd overall sailing a very consistent series. Alex Warren and Jonty Freeman did enough today to secure the gold fleet. Massive congratulations to Phil Emery and Phoebe Paine taking silver fleet with Phoebe dragging her grandad round. Bronze fleet was taken by Jon Steward and Christian Hill; a great pairing. Top prize for the day goes to Anna Aylward for jumping in for a swim on the way home but forgetting to warn James or the safety boat. Wooden spoon for James Wells unimpressive man-overboard drill.
Many thanks to the Denchfield’s for a great race officering week. To Tenby sailing club you delivered again. I was always told Tenby was one to do and they weren’t mistaken, although if you please firm-up the sand it would be appreciated. Very special thanks to Mark Barwell, Lou Johnson, Chris Martin and the entire Merlin family for organising and taking trolleys down to the water. Someone kept pulling the plug out leaving trolleys miles away. This event doesn’t happen without sponsors so thank you to all especially In The Welsh Wind Gin for some great gin tasting yesterday and prizes. Well done to Christian and Sam again. Frensham will sign off as we have dinner to eat and more importantly prize giving to go to. See you at the next one
The 2024 Merlin Rocket Nationals Championships were generously sponsored by Aspire Financial Advisers, Allspars, Becky Bettesworth, CF by L and L, In The Welsh Wind and GK Engineering.
