Report with thanks to Sophie Mackley

Shoreham Sailing Club welcomed 30 Merlin rockets to their Craftinsure Silver Tiller and Allen South East Series open on the weekend on 26 and 27 July.

Day one saw a steady south westerly force 2-3, and after one practice start the black flag was out and we were away. There was enough wind to stretch the legs upwind and the occasional wave to surf on the way downhill. Alex Jackson and Alex Warren made the best use of their boatspeed to win fairly comfortably, from Tim Saxton and Faye Chatterton with Chris Jennings and Pete Nicholson on their heels. 

For the second race, there was a big shift in the last 30 seconds, making the pin end the place to be. The boats that were there managed to make the most of the convenient position with pin-end stalwarts William Warren and Andy Prince leading up the first beat. Enjoying the building breeze Chris and Pete went on to win, followed by Chris Gould and Sophie Mackley and just a few boat lengths behind were Tim and Faye.

For the final race of the day, the wind had picked up and although the tide had slackened, Shoreham lived up to its reputation for waves and the fleet were fairly flat out on the reaches. Although not a big team, the Alex's hiked extra hard to stay in front of the ever consistent Tim and Faye and the equally hard hiking Steve Hall and Steve Graham.

And now for the big event - the reason for such a good turnout was not just the amazing sailing waters and close racing, but the annual egg-throwing competition… two long rows facing each other and one throws, one catches, if successful you take a step back, and the catcher becomes the thrower, and repeat until your throwing and catching ability lets you down and the seagulls enjoy an eggy sandy feast. This year it came down to two new pairings James Goodfellow and George Major and Mickie Bennett and Ellie Aldridge. The latter, at the peak of their physical fitness used their Olympic training to its fullest to take the victory and two well-earned SSC egg cups - we hope they will return next year to defend their title.

Day two and the wind was in the North and bringing with it significant shifts and pressure changes which made things very tough for the race team. Chris and Sophie were fast out of the blocks in race four and led unchallenged while the battle behind was narrowly won by Tim and Faye from Steve and Steve.

Race five saw Tim and Faye leading from Caroline Gould and Olivia Bell. Clive Eplett and Megan Pascoe gybed early at the windward mark and with Chris and Sophie came into the leeward mark ahead of the chasing pack. Chris and Sophie managed to overhaul Caroline and Livvy to take second.

Race six and it was Dave Winder in his new boat who led from start to finish with the Alex’s second and Tim and Faye in third.

The South East series events are generously sponsored by Allen Brothers, and Allen vouchers were awarded to the youngest competitor, George Major, the oldest competitor Alan Warren and first timers Roland and Katie Whitehead.

Shoreham is unique in having trophies for each day with Alex Jackson and Alex Warren winning the lighthouse litre for Saturday and Tim Saxton and Faye Chatterton winning the Sussex Flagon for Sunday, as well as the overall. Alex and Alex were second overall and Chris Gould and Sophie Mackley third. First Gold fleet was Steve Hall and Steve Graham, first Silver Clive Eplett and Megan Pascoe and first Bronze Richard Coulter and Bill Knokes.

A massive thank you to the Shoreham SC race team who got all six races in in tricky conditions, and the safety team who were kept very busy on Saturday rescuing and busier on Sunday moving marks.

The next event is the Merlin Rocket Aspire National Championships at Looe 10-15 August.

The next Craftinsure Silver Tiller is at Bartley Sailing Club on 7^th September

The next Allen South East Series is at Stone Sailing Club on 4^th October.