Results / Thames SC - Thames series and Vintage

Report by Stuart Jenkins

On Saturday 2^nd May a ten strong fleet of Vintage and Modern Merlin Rockets arrived at Thames SC for the first event in the 2026 Rowsell Sails Thames Series. The open meeting was also the third event in the national Craftinsure DeMay Vintage Series with eligible boats having sail numbers between 1 – 3357.

The four home boats competing were joined by visitors from Cookham SC, Hampton, Upper Thames and Tamesis. The competitors were given a warm friendly welcome by the Commodore and Race Officer Mark Laity and all at Thames SC. The sailors and helpers all enjoyed bacon rolls and hot drinks whilst they rigged their merlins of various designs and ages. Newly restored Merlin 522 Magician was the oldest boat competing at a mere 72 years of age and the newest 3704 Factory Maid built in 2009.

With light winds forecast throughout the day, a short windward leeward course with multiple laps was laid by the race team. After the briefing Race 1 got underway, Andrew Harris & Sara Warren in 607 Crescendo made it to the windward mark first closely followed by Rob and Hatty Cage in 1692 Hullabaloo and then main pack led by Miles Palmer & Gideon Crees in 2151 Dipsomania and Pat & Jilly Blake in 901 Tiercel. By lap two Andrew & Sara and Rob & Hatty had pulled out from the main group with boats regularly changing positions up the beat as the wind came and went. By the start of the third lap Stuart Jenkins & Nicola Scaddan in 1097 Flinkidink, were in third place chased by Miles & Gideon and Chris & James Martin in 950 Desperation. After 45 minutes the finishing positions were 1^st Andrew & Sara, 2^nd Rob & Hatty and 3^rd Stuart & Nicola.

For Race 2 the course remained unchanged. With a clean start, at the windward mark Andrew & Sara rounded first followed Rob & Hatty and Chris & James then the main group. These three boats pulled away from the main group and battled it out for the top three places in the race with 1^st Andrew & Sara, 2^nd Rob & Hatty and 3^rd Chris & James 3rd.

After an excellent lunch Race 3 got underway with the same course set. At the first mark the top four boats were 607, 1692, 2152 and 1097 closely followed by the chasing pack. Andrew & Sara and Rob & Hatty had a closely fought battle for with Andrew & Sara who took the honours with Rob & Hatty 2^nd and Stuart & Nicola in 3^rd.

Overall

1^st 607 Andrew Harris & Sara Warren (Tamesis SC)
2^nd 1692 Rob & Hatty Cage (Thames SC)
3^rd 1097 Stuart Jenkins & Nicola Scaddan (Hampton / Upper Thames SC)

4^th 950 Chris & James Martin (Thames SC)
5^th 2151 Dipsomania Miles Palmer & Gideon Crees (Thames SC)

1^st Youth ~ James Martin (9 years)