Based on the Thames SC fiasco, thought I'd better ask, can anyone confirm that Minima is on this weekend? Any else going?

oh yes its on, good wind forecast,good sailing,see you there!

Turns out Natt has bad cold today, so unless there is a crew or helm spare I'll have to miss it.

Come along anyway Alan should be a good day!! Tell Nat to stop being a girl and take some lockets out with her!!

I want to sail!!

You don't want to miss out on this one Natt i think it is going to be windy!! Get an early night and we will see you in the morning.

Good wind - Yes Ben and it seems you were treated to most of it - capzize in first race, capsize before second race and fell out of the boat third race!

Congratulations to Rob and Tom for winning all 3 races and the new trophy. The other champagne winners were Mike and Andy who were 2nd in each race, Ken and Brian with 2 thirds and Ben Marshall who took the vintage trophy.

13 Merlins and a reasonable Northerly wind - an excellent event at Minima.

Remember - Tamesis river series is on the 16th - see you all there.

I notice Ben Marshall sailed Chindit would he be a descendant of her original owner? Dick Marshall who had ben a Chindit hence her name, who was formerly of Ranelagh and the Parkestone where he ran the 1964 Championships in Poole Bay? Dick sold her to Roy Briggs of Minima, possibly ahe's stayed a Minima Boat since? A Holt Martine design I think?

Dear Ancient Geek,
You are such a mine of information.
Could you bring yourself to email me in confidence with regard to writing some gems for the forthcoming magazine? With my journalist wooly cap on of course I would not reveal my source!
Maybe you would prefer to just send me some copy!

Pat Blake

Not wanting to rain on Ancient Geek's parade, but Chindit was actually sailed at the Minima Open by her current owner, Jonathan Reuben (who sailed her at the 60th Champs).  Ben Marshall was sailing his own boat, Red Admiral (a September Girl design).

Many years ago I was sailing my dad's 'Dizzy' no. 490 at Ranelagh S.C. With a gusty breeze behind us we were running against the tide close to the Bishops Park wall. Dick Marshall in 'Chindit' was to windward of Dizzy. We were probably running by the lee when an extra strong gust whistled through the trees and in a flash capsized us to windward. As we went over I caught a glimpse of Dizzy's mast hitting Dick fair and square on the top of his head. The next time I looked at Dick he was sitting in the bottom of 'Chindit' looking dazed but the boat was still upright and he managed to finish the race. We didn't of course but I suppose we might have protested him as windward boat failing to keep clear!

A CD of "Short Stories from a Tall Yachtsman" is on its way to you! Take your pic I'll try to send some historic not to say histrionic pictures too but in between "Sailin' me own bote" it's the Stalking Season and I have to work occasionally.

yes Brian 3538 i did seem to be all fingers and thumbs but it was still a good days sailing despite the amount of swimming i managed to do,hopefully this new trophy will stimulate interest in one of the first clubs to have a merlin fleet in london.Big up to Rob!