MERLIN ROCKET FORUM

Topic : Merlins Go International?

We’re ready. Kieron has done a great job of finding the fairest possible 2-level handicap system on which the French insist, and I’ve spent time promoting the class out here in the wilderness, & dealing with their intransigence,- so all we need now is people.

The event is the Open de France 2011, St. Pierre de Quiberon(S.Brittany), 1-6 August, launching in a sheltered harbour over clean white sand onto a blue, blue sea, into a big semi-sheltered bay with steady winds, in the company of 120+ other boats from all over France,- young, old, beginners and champs, this all-classes handicapped event is the French dinghy sailors’ Mecca, and the closest it will be to you for some years. This is the friendly family-style event that Salcombe maybe used to be; 4 days racing with 2 optional training days beforehand,- on & off the water. Lots of relaxation, no hassle, rig your craft to cool music in the spacious grounds of the ENV(Ecole National de Voile), where they lay on budget camping, cheap accomodation, optional canteen food or packed lunches if you want them. NO parking problems NO fees, NO Salcombe prices. English she is spoken.

There’s a challenge for everyone. The hotshots can take on the 505’s & 470’s and do what Hawke did to the French fleet in the same location in 1759 (check it out in Wikepedia). I have been making publicity, and there is a lot of curiosity about what these strange clinker built boats can do!

I have also managed to persuade the FFV to make a (for them) first time ever allowance for a development class(we don’t really have them in France), so pre-‘Tales’ boats will be sailing off 1055; the rest of you 1005(they round to the nearest 5). We have some restored pre-3000 French Merlins lined up, and trying to get more of them out of the woodwork;- real enthusiasm for the class, lots of admirers. The recent thread on handicaps has already attracted contributions from two of our French brethren.

Away from the racing, swim in a perfect sea, then collect your supper oysters down by the low water mark, or cycle along the cliff tops on the exposed W. side of the peninsula, have supper in the local ‘creperies’, take a day out to visit the beautiful Belle Isle;- or just laze about on the sandy beaches. The fabulous Golfe de Morbihan is just over the other side of the bay. This is holiday season so lots of family events from music festivals to maritime museums should there be a rare rainy day, but joining in the sailing and taking advantage of what the ENV has to offer means you don’t have to struggle to book or compete for space on the regular campsites; you get democratically priced accomodation & food in peak season, AND relaxed sailing!.

It’s neither too soon nor too late to start making plans; Kieron & I sussed it all out last year and can help with info/logistics etc. St. Pierre is 425miles from Calais, and only 140 from St.Malo, in both cases mostly on motorway. A bit of a trek, but well worth it; there will not be a better opportunity to take part in a really special event!

Some of you will remember the class outing to St Malo; this is just a drop further, much better sailing conditions(why do you think they put the ENV there?), and the biggest annual all-comers handicapped event that France has to offer, with a mixed format of traditional courses and pursuit race on the last day. You can be as keen or as laid-back as you like; some people are there to win, others just want to be on the water.

It’s the same for Merlins; we think this event should appeal:- a) to top level sailors who would like a chance to break out of the rut and try something really different;- heh, and maybe walk off with the pots!- b) to families with older boats who want a relaxed holiday, with unstressed sailing on a fair handicapped rating, in a wonderful location. As they say, ‘Les absents ont toujours tort!’.


Posted: 05/04/2011 16:27:58
By: 2988 Foreign Affaire

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