MERLIN ROCKET FORUM

Topic : Championships

Who won today? 
Are results posted anywhere?
Some-one must know!


Posted: 12/08/2007 17:31:50
By: Ex Pat
I don't think anyone does....!!


Posted: 13/08/2007 11:39:46
By: Minx3681
Perhaps somebody could make a phone call and post some results?


Posted: 13/08/2007 11:44:20
By: Curioser
nothing on psc web site either


Posted: 13/08/2007 11:49:01
By: Rob-2601
I can't find any -last week we could follow events in Cowes very easily and results were on the web late afternoon of that days racing so that i could text Louise with her finishing position by the time they were ashore.


Posted: 13/08/2007 13:17:58
By: tony johnson
As far as I am aware Roger Gilbert won yesterday according to James, my son, who is a teenager so you are never quite sure!


Posted: 13/08/2007 13:30:05
By: Sara Warren
Unfortunately (or fortunately for him) Mags is on holiday (according to his post to the forum), but someone must know .......


Posted: 13/08/2007 14:02:37
By: Andy Hay
Bit unfair to compare with a fully funded Cowes Week results service with a few guys who have given up quite a lot of time to organise the CHamps and also sail as well!! Have got the T shirt!!
My teenage daughter confirms the report from the teenage son - does two teenagers saying the same thing make it right????!!!!!!


Posted: 13/08/2007 15:13:15
By: Scotty
It is unfair, but what about the sponsors getting their publicity they subsidise the event and probably expect something in return. - Publicity?


Posted: 13/08/2007 15:20:03
By: Ex Pat
Ex Pat

Not wishing to sound pedantic but really and truthfully who are the sponsors as I not too sure myself? Irrespctive of this sponsors may subsidise the event marginally, a few hundred quid here and there and maybe a new jib for the best turned out boat,but most if not all the funding comes out of the MROA coffers funded by the entrants. As Scotty has said we are not talking Cowes week here or the America's Cup which has a global audience, this is a natioanl dinghy class, the fact that people who are enjoying themselves choose not to link up to a wireless modem as soon as they come off the water to feed us less fortunate mortals on the spot commentary is neither here nor there. If you are really concerned about the results and sponsorship coverage I am sure the committee would be more than delighted if you shot down to Pwhelli and gave an on course commentary.
The report and results will come out in a day or two, jeepers it is only Monday after all.


Posted: 13/08/2007 15:41:41
By: Richard Battey
Gilbert's gonna cane it anyway.


Posted: 13/08/2007 15:47:11
By: Jon
Jon,

I suspect you are probably right and how nice it would be to see fresh blood coming into this vibrant class and doing so well. One thing is for sure 60 years on and the class sure ain't stagnant.


Posted: 13/08/2007 15:52:45
By: Richard Battey
Just wish I was there.


Posted: 13/08/2007 16:25:49
By: Jon
If Gilbert,s gonna cane it anyway,can,t somebody phone Nick Craig and ask him to go there so he can give  the poor bloke some competition. Maybe he can post some results as well.


Posted: 13/08/2007 16:58:38
By: barry hay
...woof...Roger Gilbert with two out of two...very windy...


Posted: 13/08/2007 18:00:44
By: Dudley
Good enough to tempt the King back for Looe???!?!?!


Posted: 13/08/2007 18:18:00
By: Speculata
If it's true that Roger Gilbert has won again then my prediction in the 'Playful Banter' thread that he'd win is at least 40% of the way to being correct. Probably too late to put money on him.


Posted: 13/08/2007 18:41:47
By: Cccconfident
just spoken to Fran Gifford (crewing for Dan Alsop) and she confirmed that Roger Gilbert won yesterday easilly and today really easilly. It was windy yesterday, and plenty of swimming today with more forecast tomorrow. Tom Stewart has a 2nd and third and the usual suspects (tho not doing the merlin circuit I don't know who they are!) are up there, but there were lots caught on a black flag yesterday.


Posted: 13/08/2007 19:00:56
By: Frans 12 crew
Flag noir on the first day - nice!


Posted: 13/08/2007 19:43:11
By: Jon
I suppose I could bet that Roger Gilbert wins five races!


Posted: 13/08/2007 19:46:34
By: Cccconfident
Doesn't sound like much fun....


Posted: 14/08/2007 09:40:35
By: ITK
Yesterday was a force 4... not quite as windy as is being implied with some great sailing.
it was supposed to be blowing old boots today, but that didnt transpire... the wind shifted all over the shop with up to 30 degree shifts and ranging from 3 to 11 knots. A real snakes and ladders affair with some boats being dumped from top 5 to 40s on the second beat and Rich Whitworth going from 10th to 1 on with a big shift storming up the last beat to take the win.
Gilbert posted a 5th
Roger leads, from Mr Stewart and then Dave Winder...

ciao for now


Posted: 14/08/2007 20:01:20
By: hmmm
Go to http://www.pwllhelisailingclub.co.uk/

The select Events on the left, then MR ...


Posted: 15/08/2007 09:25:20
By: Helper
Direct click!!

http://www.pwllhelisailingclub.co.uk/

Posted: 15/08/2007 10:09:38
By: Another helper
But does it post the results? I know I am silly but it just gors round and round the MR & PSC sites!


Posted: 15/08/2007 11:51:15
By: Technical idiot
try this one

http://www.pwllhelisailingclub.co.uk/Events/Merlin%20Champs.htm

Posted: 15/08/2007 11:54:43
By: Miles
Got it DOH!!!


Posted: 15/08/2007 11:55:28
By: Technical idiot
Yes it does, daily results and overall.


Posted: 15/08/2007 11:56:34
By: Robert Harris
If you hover the cursor over events (left hand side) then hover over Merlin Rockets the Results section pops up and you click there.  Individual races and overall results after 3 races are all there.  As a matter of interest how many races count - couldn't see that in the race instructions.


Posted: 15/08/2007 11:57:54
By: Another helper
Quite a few folk keen to see the results then!!


Posted: 15/08/2007 11:58:36
By: Garry R
Jeez, Gilbert won the first race by a minute and ten seconds and the second by four minutes thirty with almost all of the remaining top ten finishing in the proceeding 2 minutes.


Posted: 15/08/2007 13:39:26
By: Jon
To be fair to Roger, he is not a professional sailor and has a career outside of sailing, he bought the boat from Rob Wilder and has been campaigning it all season - he even turned up at Cookham...!  

We can only hope Roger feels there is enough competition to keep him interested...


Posted: 15/08/2007 15:05:27
By: ITK
Was at Frensham at the Vintage event a few weeks back and certainly this would be an addition to his already impressive list of achievements as highlighted on their board of Champions.


Posted: 15/08/2007 15:08:45
By: Garry R
How do the handicap results get calculated?


Posted: 15/08/2007 15:53:59
By: ??
At the same time another Frensham Sailor is slaughtering the OK's and Enterprises.


Posted: 15/08/2007 16:23:30
By: Technical idiot
to be fair to roger, his crew, james stewart, is also pretty good. crewed for nick craig in the 400's and did very well for a number of years, helms an enterprise (at last years worlds i think), a 200 and a lark and is regularly at the top of all three fleets. probably comes from frensham as well!


Posted: 15/08/2007 18:18:35
By: crews union
Another bullet, thats 3 now for Mr Gilbert


Posted: 15/08/2007 18:31:50
By: Rob Holroyd
..but if Roger Gilbert wins, his crew will have a dilema - does he crew for Gilbert in the Endeavour Trophy or go with Nick Craig for their Endeavour hat-trick??


Posted: 15/08/2007 22:33:13
By: interested
2 and 3/4 minutes this time....  country mile!


Posted: 16/08/2007 11:57:26
By: Jon
Does anyone have any thoughts about why he's so quick (except that obviously he know's what he's doing!)  Does he have amazing speed upwind, downwind, off the start, or does he just get more of the shifts right..... and what sails is he using????


Posted: 16/08/2007 13:22:42
By: Mark
I'm reading John Bertrand's Born to Win at the moment - biography of the America's Cup 1983 and I guess that if you look in there you will find the answers.  Combine natural ability (not just learned ability which many have) with attitude (focus) plus excellent preparation (which includes good kit) on both the helm and crew's part and you may just have it.  By the by it's a bloody good read too.


Posted: 16/08/2007 13:32:13
By: Garry R
I watched most of Roger Gilbert's races at Salcombe. He has an outstanding record in other classes and is clearly very talented. He sailed his boat was upright, his boat handling was excellent, he didn't fall foul of the black flag (it was his crew helming when they were black  flagged on the last day) and he was very good at working through the fleet after a less than good start). I watched and photographed Rob Wilder sailing that boat last year and despite the fact they're all theoretically the same I think she's a bit special. By the end of Salcombe I was telling anyone who'd listen that Roger Gilbert would win the championship.


Posted: 16/08/2007 13:59:33
By: Robert Harris
If you watch him sailing (From a distance.) it's remarkable how much less his mast tip moves about, the boat is not neccesarily more level all the time but a it's whole lot smoother. Disapating less energy.


Posted: 16/08/2007 14:02:21
By: If..............
The boat is fast - no doubt about it...


Posted: 16/08/2007 14:22:47
By: ITK
Did the national champion ever have a slow boat?

Isn't it just a Winder Mk4 with a srted rig and two good sailors sat in it?


Posted: 16/08/2007 15:27:19
By: doh
He isn't champion yet - well he may be by now depending on if they sailed today - and if they are finished and if so did he finish and where. It's true as the worlds greatest sailmaker (Lowell North) said "Boat Speed makes you a tactical genius". It takes two good sailors a good boat and rig etc etc...................


Posted: 16/08/2007 15:51:40
By: Fingers crossed..
Roger won 5th race and has 7 points with a 5th being discarded .Tom has 11 so if Roger doesn't sail tomorrow he will have 12 points .If Tom wins he too will have 12 points but R has three firsts and Tom will only have two . I think that breaks the tie and we have a new champion with a day to spare - what a performance !!


Posted: 16/08/2007 16:34:45
By: whitstable pro
Roger was 4th in the 5th race ... Tom was 1st. Otherwise the above analysis is correct. Well done Roger & James.


Posted: 16/08/2007 17:00:32
By: correction
If I were Roger I'd want it in writing, but he is very hot favourite to win even if he hasn't yet (for certain.).


Posted: 16/08/2007 17:03:59
By: Worrier
My cats breath smells of cat food


Posted: 16/08/2007 17:33:17
By: Ralph Wiggum
Is that like saying "if your auntie had balls she'd be your uncle"


Posted: 16/08/2007 17:59:04
By: Jon
I must congratulate Pwllheli Sailing Club for having the results available on line so early.


Posted: 16/08/2007 18:04:11
By: Robert Harris
Apologies for the lack of race reports. 

79 Merlin entered, including those on the day - almost £1 million worth of sailing hardware in the dinghy enclosure.

In spite of the bad forecast for Tuesday & Wednesday, a race has been sailed each day as intended. Wind strengths have varied from a Force 1 (at times on Tuesday) to a 5 on Monday & today, Thursday. Big seas, dolphins and a mountainous backdrop, has meant lots of proper sea sailing fun. Seas were flatter on Tuesday, Wednesday & Thursday due to wind from the land. Plenty of capsizes and a few broken spars.

Lots of general recalls as the PRO sought to instill discipline, with 15 lobbed on the first day and another 11 'volunteers' today.

Some seriously deranged fancy dress costumes (the local were pre-warned of certain cross-dressers wandering around Pwllheli in the small hours) and Go-karting in the pouring rain. Stocks of real ale in North Wales have been depleted with the barrels of free beer after racing every day. Beach games in the sun yesterday & Crews Union meeting today - minutes are unlikely to be available.

Roger Gilbert & James Stewart appear to have wrapped it up in effect with a day to go with 3 bullets, a 4th and a 5th. Tom Stewart & Richard Whitworth have both won a race but are unable to make a difference overall. Tom Stewart & Taxi are currently scrapping for 2nd Place.

Overall Positions with one day to go (Before & after discard)

1st Roger Gilbert - 12 & 7 points
2nd Tom Stewart - 19 & 11 points
3rd Taxi (Andy Davies) 43 & 16 points
4th Dave Winder 24 & 17 points
5th Richard Whitworth 27 & 17 points

Full results on the Pwllheli Sailing Club website

I can't believe its been 33 years since we've had a Championships here - the venue is great & Pwllheli SC have done us proud

www.pwllhelisailingclub.co.ukeventsMerlin Champs.htm

Posted: 16/08/2007 18:35:24
By: Martin Hughes
A word about our Sponsors and Supporters 

Scheidt & Bachmann is the main sponsor for the 2007 Merlin National Championships.

A German company with a global reach, S&B specialises in ticketing & payment systems for mass transit rail & bus networks, car parks, stadiums and leisure centres. S&B is over 135 years old and is now active in over 30 countries in 5 continents.

S&B (UK) Ltd. was established in 2000 and now dominates the British overland railway automated ticketing market. Likewise, its revolutionary paperless ‘Chip coin’ parking systems are becoming common in many Cities & Shopping Centres up and down the country. S&B is currently supplying such a system for its largest customer Apcoa Parking UK Ltd for the Waterside development, which will serve the new Welsh Assembly in Cardiff.

Like the Racing Rules on the water, S&B is dedicated to help control but not restrict mobility. S&B recognise the same key virtues required for success on the water – teamwork, technical excellence and creativity – that we aspire to in business.

As a provider of systems for a mobile world, Scheidt & Bachmann is proud to be associated with such a beautiful boat as the Merlin Rocket and one of the largest sailing Championships in the UK.

For more information: www.scheidt-bachmann.com

Winder Boats - Winners of over 50 world, European and National championships, Winder Boats needs no introduction to the Merlin Class. Simply look around the Championships enclosure this week to see how the Winder Merlin is the choice of the Class and its Champions. For more info: see the race pack brochures or speak to David Winder.

MF Promotions - Quality t-shirts, polo shirts, promotional and corporate wear from our very own Matt Biggs, Merlin sailor, purveyor of fine clothing to the Class and all round decent bloke. Tel. 0121 344 5544

Craftinsure.com - The UK’s leading online boat insurer - Dinghy insurance at the touch of a button. Using the Internet to save costs and deliver a better deal. Run by dinghy sailors for dinghy sailors. For more info: Tel. 08452 607888 www.craftinsure.com

Dynamic Sails - A young company, with a lot of experience making a big impact with their DS Sails. Also suppliers of Musto, Magic Marine and Rooster clothing, Dave and Rachel will be around during Championship week and happy to talk about how to go faster in your Merlin. For more info: Tel. 07929 467333 www.dynamicsails.com

SailSport Ltd

The Online and ‘at Event’ mobile Chandlery run by our very own Tony Blackmore. The Chandlery that dares to be different by having the right bits, right in the dinghy park. Look out for Tony’s van this week. For more info: Tel. 07977 512673 www.sail-sport.com

Our thanks also to: Geoff & Rob O’Neil at The Welsh Harp Boat Centre & suppliers of The Sovereign Trailer, Marchand Petit, Charles Head & Sons and Pwllheli Sailing Club for their kind contributions.

PLEASE SUPPORT THOSE WHO SUPPORT YOUR RACING & YOUR CLASS!


Posted: 16/08/2007 18:40:26
By: Martin Hughes
Thanks for all that and hopefully every one of us including Richard Battey is now well aware of to whom we should be grateful for their support, helping to make this such a sucess with a day to go.


Posted: 16/08/2007 18:52:51
By: Ex Pat
Spot on Ex Pat.


Posted: 16/08/2007 19:00:40
By: Richard Battey
shite on back man, are they a geordie outfit like y'naw?


Posted: 16/08/2007 19:25:10
By: Bobby G
I'm puzzled by the current championship scoring which could theoretically lead to a points tie for overall first place today. When I sailed in Championships I'm pretty sure the first boat in each race was awarded three quarters of a point which recognized the feat of winning a race and more often than not resolved any potential ties. If that was the way it was done in the past why was it changed?


Posted: 17/08/2007 10:35:47
By: Robert Harris
It's the nanny state - there are no losers.  The feat of coming 1st should not be used to discriminate you from all the other winners....


Posted: 17/08/2007 10:52:55
By: ITK
If you are right Robert and I am sure you are,in fact and logic, then there would doubtless be a "Medal Race" probably sailed in the Marina so the cameras could get a better look! A subject dear to my heart.


Posted: 17/08/2007 11:10:36
By: Ancient Geek
If you want to go back further you used to get 0 for first, 3 for 2nd and so on with Olympic scoring ....

It's just progress ... I think it's better as it makes the maths easier on the water ...


Posted: 17/08/2007 11:46:48
By: uyg
By my maths, as long as number of firsts count as tie breaker it makes no difference whether firsts count as 1 point or 3/4 points. You can get a tie ie 6 race series Boat 1 gets 1,1,1,2,2,2 boat 2 gets 2,2,2,1,1,1 with discard both get 7pts and 3 firsts for tie break. 3/4 points for first makes no difference.  Another consonent please...


Posted: 17/08/2007 12:26:42
By: Carol Vorderman
Try an A instead of an e in consonant!!


Posted: 17/08/2007 12:38:56
By: Twice Nightly Whitely
Should be all over bar the shouting by now, the engraver hard at work hoping to spell the winner's name properly!!  Now it was Rodger wasn't it? No - that was Pugwash's cabin boy!!!


Posted: 17/08/2007 12:42:10
By: Garry R
11.30 start, 1hr 30min race, give it a few minutes...... someone with the name 'stewart' will be on the podium


Posted: 17/08/2007 12:46:09
By: crews union
Don't get clever with me Whitely! Twice nightly! In your dreams mate.


Posted: 17/08/2007 12:48:48
By: Carol Vorderman
Surely the discard becomes the tie breaker, which by definition cannot be the same for both unless they dead heated? It would be a lot easier if all races counted!


Posted: 17/08/2007 15:25:13
By: Ancient Geek
Not necessarily as the could both discard a BFD, DSQ etc


Posted: 17/08/2007 15:30:03
By: Carol Vorderman
Why not have to count a DSQ of any sort?


Posted: 17/08/2007 15:49:53
By: Ancient Geek
Or even a DNC! 
However well done Roger Gilbert another one for Frensham, they've had quite a year, and it's not over yet.


Posted: 17/08/2007 16:03:43
By: Ancient Geek
...ask Andrew H he has become a specialist in these 3 letter acronyms....


Posted: 17/08/2007 16:48:45
By: vade mecum
So Roger Gilbert won but played it cool by not starting the last race because he didn't have to. I knew he'd win so did my friend Cccconfident but he's glad he didn't bet that Gilbert would win five races!


Posted: 17/08/2007 19:33:15
By: Robert Harris
congrats are due to all the competitors. Good and hard racing.

The Pwllheli team and facilities were excellent.


Posted: 19/08/2007 15:39:00
By: CHAIRS
congrats are due to all the competitors. Good and hard racing.

The Pwllheli team and facilities were excellent.


Posted: 19/08/2007 15:39:08
By: CHAIRS
So where are the daily reports that people mention as I cannot find them anywhere!!!
Great event and welldone to Roger/James and Tom/Chris and showing us the way.
We both enjoyed the distraction from the B14 and will see you all next year with a few flirts in and out of the fleet from now to then.
Well run event Martin and Team.
Bye for now
Barnsie


Posted: 20/08/2007 11:17:56
By: Barnsie
Nice to see you in a Merlin again Mark
The Champs report is 99% done and will be out very shortly
See you in Looe!


Posted: 20/08/2007 12:09:18
By: Martin
the party house completed a daily report which is currently being illustrated with amusing and embarrasing images of various social aspects. I'm sure it will be posted in the near future. 

we aimed to update it and post it every day but I think the free ale got in the way of that.....


Posted: 20/08/2007 12:12:46
By: dangerous
Photo's of the Championships are now up on the fotoboat website - including shots of the apple eating William - Who knows?, he may have started a craze?!

www.fotoboat.com


Posted: 20/08/2007 18:05:41
By: Martin
With a fantastic 79 boat championships just having concluded at Pwllheli Sailing Club, our attention is turning towards next year's event at Looe. For those who have followed the discussions, the dates are now confirmed as Sunday the 17th of August until Friday the 22nd inclusive, with weighing-in and registration on Saturday the 16th. We hope that these dates will encourage many of you to come.

The fleet is currently experiencing an exciting time, with open meeting turnouts and the level of the competition at very healthy levels. In addition we are attracting high calibre sailors from other fleets. Notwithstanding the excellent standard of National Championships which has hitherto been achieved, we as an organising committee believe that this is the time to further capitalise upon the interest in the class.

Looe have hosted two Merlin-Rocket National Championships in this decade, with the 2000 champs sticking in many competitors minds as the beginning of the return to health of the class. Looe is a fantastic sailing venue, with fantastic waves and excellent race management. On the social side, the club is the centre of activity for the week, with a plethora of eateries, pubs, bars and even the legendary Admiral Boscarn to keep the adults entertained. Looe is also an excellent holiday venue in its own right, with beautiful beaches and other attractions highly suitable for the family. To whet the appetite visit: http://www.looe.org/ and http://www.looesailingclub.co.uk/.

We hope to shortly have a website up and running to keep you all informed as to what is happening and provide information about accommodation. We are also interested in hearing your opinions about previous championships you have attended, both Merlin Rocket and other classes - it is your championships - please tell us. If you are a potential sponsor, at any level, then please get in touch directly and we would love to have you on board. If you know of anyone outside the Merlin-Rocket fleet who might be interested in coming along, then please also get in touch. If for any reason you may not be able to attend the champs in 2008, but have a boat that you may be willing to charter to the right person for the right fee, then let us know.

Finally, thanks to Martin Hughes and Pwllheli Sailing Club for a fantastic time last week. I think it's fair to say that some had their doubts, but for the vast majority it was one of the best in living memory. Let's try and make next year's even better!

Looe 2008 Organising Team


Posted: 20/08/2007 20:28:15
By: Looe 2008 Organising Team
I'm so glad you allhad a goos time and it's clear that "they" are determined you will have a better one at Looe with more boats. Though in 2007 79 is no reason for shame. A good idea to arrange early boat storage as some will take it as a two week holiday. See an earlier post.


Posted: 20/08/2007 23:13:02
By: Ancient Geek

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