Results / Minima YC - Thames series and Vintage

Report by Stuart Jenkins

On Saturday 3^rd May the Merlin fleet moved a short distance downstream to Minima YC where seven intrepid crews competed in the second event in the 2026 Rowsell Sails Thames Series. The open meeting was also the fourth event in the national Craftinsure DeMay Vintage Series.

The competitors were given a warm friendly welcome by Race Officer Paul Bloomfield and the Club members. Once again, the wind conditions were light so a short windward leeward course, upriver of the clubhouse and downstream of Ravers Ait, was laid by the race team.

Seven boats came to the race area with six boats starting Race 1 due to the conditions. Race 1 saw the fleet slowly moving around the course always searching for the available wind. The lead four boats were Andrew & Sara, Rob & Hatty, Stuart & Nicola and Ollie & Emily Houseman in 3560 Luka. All four boats stayed in close proximity to each other throughout the race with Andrew & Sara 1^st, Ollie & Emily 2^nd, with Stuart & Nicola 3^rd pipping Rob & Hatty into 4^th on the finish line.

After an excellent lunch provided by the Club, Races 2 & 3 were sailed back-to-back. Both races were a battle in the conditions and closely fought throughout the fleet.

Race 2 finished 1^st Andrew & Sara 2^nd Ollie & Emily 3^rd Rob & Hatty

Race 3 finished 1^st Ollie & Emily 2^nd Andrew & Sara 3^rd Stuart & Nicola

Overall

1^st 607 Andrew Harris & Sara Warren (Tamesis SC)
2^nd 3560 Ollie & Emily Houseman (Chew Valley SC)
3^rd 1097 Stuart Jenkins & Nicola Scaddan (Hampton / Upper Thames SC)

4^th 1692 Rob & Hatty Cage (Thames SC)

1^st Youth ~ Emily Houseman (10 years)