MERLIN ROCKET FORUM

Topic : How to win the Allen Merlin Rocket Nationals 2011.........

Stuart Bithell will be presentating on how he prepared himself, his crew and his boat, to go on to win the Merlin Rocket Nationals 2010 on Saturday night of the Inland Championships 2011.

Find out about the preparations on and off the water, nutritional information, fitness and teamwork. We know there is more to winning than simply making the boat go fast in a straight line, and here it is in the eyes of our champions.

For those who go along and listen, remember to put your name in the hat and the lucky winner will get to spend time with Stuart on the Sunday. You will receive pre race tips and have a chance to go out and tune up pre start against them on the water. When you come in you will have a debrief and talk through what went well and what could be improved on.

If there is anything specific you would like Stuart to talk about then please upload any questions here, and he's promised to try and cover all he can.


Posted: 13/05/2011 18:21:05
By: Chairman - Lou
When and where?


Posted: 14/05/2011 19:11:23
By: ..
Where - Draycote Water SC - the venue for the Inlands.

When - Saturday evening.


Posted: 14/05/2011 19:24:33
By: RichardT
Do we know what else is happening after the talk? Food? Party?
Thank you


Posted: 15/05/2011 07:24:18
By: ?
Food prior to the talk, band playing after


Posted: 16/05/2011 09:27:02
By: Dave
Could someone make a video for those of us that can't make it...?


Posted: 16/05/2011 11:05:26
By: ITK
A reminder to Midland circuiteers that the Saturday results only will count towards the Midland Circuit.

Music is provided by the Above Average Weight Band whose lead guitarist (Robyn Levin) crewed his brother to second place in Busy Bee in the Vintage MR Open meeting at Banbury in 2004. With an all up crew weight well in excess of 30 stone who says Merlins cannot carry weight!


Posted: 16/05/2011 13:09:20
By: Midlander
Please note that Draycote still insist on washing down boats on arrival, so please allow time for this when setting off.


Posted: 16/05/2011 13:58:47
By: Dave
I recall from the interview that Stu gave after his first race win at the Champs that he decided very early that he wanted to get the best pin start he could - Andy Dalby won the pin in the end and led round the windward mark. So I have two questions:

1. Why did both Stu and Andy decide that hard left was the way to go?
2. What indicators on the water / sky / devine providence convinced them of this?

At the end of the day, they worked it out, but I was looking at the same patch of water and couldn't see it.

This has been bugging me since Penzance, so it would be good to understand this. Shame I cannot be at the Inlands, so can someone post the answers?


Posted: 17/05/2011 22:55:07
By: Andy Hay - 3626 Business as Usual
On the penultimate day of the Champs (race 5) you came off the start line a little above us at the committee boat end and then disappeared off on to the horizon. We were sailing at similar weights but you guys had a significant upwind advantage. 
What was your rig set up and sailing technique?


Posted: 18/05/2011 11:15:50
By: Alex
Andy, the answer to your first question is that Stu has the benefit of Uncle Richard Whitworth's  gene pool combined with years of coaching and sailing at the highest level which allows his senses to detect things us mere mortals cannot. In Andy Dalbys case it was just luck!!


Posted: 18/05/2011 13:29:34
By: Peter Scott
Harsh.... but fair.


Posted: 18/05/2011 15:30:33
By: ITK

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