A source of mine tells me that ex-champ Lawrie Smith is currently sailing a Merlin at Lymington! What boat I wonder? 

Will he have another crack at the title, or is he more interested in a gentle Thursday evening blast?

Most likely true. He was last year, can't remember the boat number but was a 32.. number I think. Might have been and NSM2??? Was very up together anyway.

Unlikely to have another crack at the champs, the Royal Lymington fleet have an upper spend limit on their racing, this would be very restricting in terms of championship performance!