7 days left for discount entry.
See Fixtures/National Championship to see entrants, arrival directions and social programme.
35 confirmed entries, 25 more promised. Don't miss your spot - max 80 entries.
Call me 07932 435290 if you have any questions 

5 days Discount Entry left. See details of the fantastic social programme "Fixtures/National Champs" and look under "Entry". 

 To help you get those last minute entries in as easily as possible and avoid missing the discount deadline (midnight 30 Jun) you can enter and pay electronically.
 
Email your completed entry form to, Louisa Archer <[email protected]>.
 
If paying online, mark Entry Form "Online" and send your entry fee to:
 
MROA Sort Code 09-01-50 Account No 04337891. Use Reference NATSXXXX (where XXXX is your sail no).
 
 

 Check out the latest, updated Champs Site - P&B Merlin Rocket Championships.
 
Thanks to Mags for getting everything entered and connected.
 
Latest Entry list, sponsor's details, all the social and arrival info.
 
Online payment details as per above
 

Bump

Thanks to all who have entered so far. Busy negotiating with daily prize sponsors. Congratulations to Peter Wainwright 3327 Black Adder, oldest boat so far. Can we have some more Classic entries. 4 days Discount Entry left. Online entry details as above post

3763 (Dancing Brave (Smiffy)) entered. Now to sort fit nimble sub 70 kg crew as crew away on family hols.

Welcome to the throng. Not long now and nearly ready to pack for Salcombe too.

3 Days Discounted Entry left. Weather in Coventry foul.

Discounted Entry ends tomorrow. Email your entry to Louisa and pay you entry fee online. Don't miss your chance to save £30.00. 

47 confirmed entries to date. 16 more promised. Max Entry 80. Don't miss out.

Form emailed, cash wired...

Thanks Mark. For any others cutting it fine, entry fee cheque must be with Louisa today or funds in the bank by midnight tonight to qualify for discounted entry. Don't Delay - Pay Today 

Entries now up to 50.

Looe conditions for all to see

Salcombe over and only 28 days to Looe. Confirmed entries 53 and promises of 7 more, at least. Max entry 80 so get those forms in quick to avoid disappointment.

 Hi All. Not long now. As promised, I need to call for some volunteers so that we can spread the load a little.
 
First - Angela is finalising the Family/Children's programme - details will be on the Champ site shortly and a copy will be in your Registration Pack. Look out for Mr Wishy Washy. We are looking to run a painting competition on Tuesday afternoon. Angela has organised all the materials but is there some arty type out there who could come an assist with some tutoring/mentoring on the day to point the kids in the right direction?
 
Second - Scrutineering/Registration. This will run 09.00 - 17.00 Saturday and is an onerous task if we only have a couple of pressed men. Please can you spare me an hour of Saturday, or better still 2 hours of your crew's time on Saturday. No knowledge needed. Full instruction will be given by our illustrious team of experienced and extremely personable Senior Scrutineers.
 
 Looking forward to my email being overwhelmed by offers of help. All will be much appreciated.
 
See you in Looe
 

Sail Measuring - Looe. All our measurers will be fully occupied with scrutineering on Saturday at Looe and will NOT be available to measure new sails. If you want to spread brand new crinkly, sparkly canvas at Looe, please get your sails measured BEFORE you come to avoid disappointment.

 Looe - Arrival/Registation. Hi Everyone. Time to think about this. Only 22 days to go. Please download the guide from the Champs site.
 
Main points; 
1. If you have a camper van/double deck trailer you must call the mobile listed 20 mins before arrival. You will then be led in via an accessible route. You will not make it via Fore Street (well, not without modifying your van/trailer and a couple of houses).
2. To have a valid entry, you or your boat's owner must be a paid up Full Member of the MROA.
3. For Registration we need:
   a. Valid RYA Certificate for your boat.
   b. Measurement Form (from Srutineering)
   c. Insurance Certificate
   d. MROA Membership No.
4. Please plan your journey carefully. Scrutineering/Registration opens at 09.00 on Saturday. Scrutineering will close at 17.00 (the scrutineering team deserve some time to rig and prepare their own chariots). 
5. There will be no facility/time for measuring of new sails at Looe.

 Addendum to my last:
 
The Owner of the boat must be a Full Member.
 
If the Helmsman is not the Boat Owner, the Helmsman must also be either a Full or Associate Member.
 
According to the Membership Sec, there are one or two entrants who do not qualify under the above at present.
 
We will be contacting you.

Confirmed entries 55, at least 3 more in the post.
5 volunteers to help with measuring. Could we have some more please?
Still looking for Mr or Mrs Michelangelo to help with the kids' painting comp?

Families Programme now finalised. Find out how to discover treasure in Looe, get your Bizzi Bag or see Mr Wishy Washy and much more. Go to the Champs site, click Entry and download your copy. 

 Looe Car Parking
 Long term parking is available at Millpool Car Park, West Looe. Weekly tickets are available at £30.00 and can be purchased using the RingGo call system. Further details are available at www.cornwall.gov.uk/transport-and-streets/parking/cornwall-council-car-parks/car-park-locations-charges-and-facilities/looe-area 

 Hi All,
 
Down to the final brush strokes - 57 entered and at least 4 more promised.
 
Still waiting for a Mr or Mrs Caravagio to help with the kid's painting comp. - don't be shy.
 
Wine and cheese tasting (The Alternative Crew's Union) - Wednesday  18.30. No takers so far. Tickets will be available at Registration. Need a minimun of 10 for this to work.
 
Don't forget to bring your mobiles - ready for the daily texts Hi de Hi.

 10 days to go. Final preps. Reminder to self - must get my bottom polished.
 
Please check the arrival arrangement details on the Entry page of the Champs site - special guidance for early/late arrival and those with motor-homes and/or double deck trailers.
 
Map showing trailer park available here:
http://www.looesailingclub.co.uk/assets/images/trailerPark.pdf 

 Measurement Certificates - we have had a few last minute panicks with owners suddenly realising that they have not renewed an old certificate in their name. Please check.
 
Renewal details are at :
http://www.rya.org.uk/racing/equipmentclasses/measurement/Pages/measurementcertificates.aspx
 
 If you have a problem please drop me an email. We can sort this for you.
 

Karaoke Competition - The Golden Mike Award
If you want to nominate a particular track for your entry, please let me know by tomorrow pm so that we can let the DJ have a list of required tracks?
 

 Email Contact - Urgent.
 
Hi All, I am very sorry to say that my ism-mg email account has been hacked. I do apologise if any of you have had spam from this source. The account has now been locked pending recovery. If you need to contact me, please use [email protected] or call me on 07932 435290. 

 Seamanlike Precaution
 
The boats will be berthed in a sheltered area however, in the event of severe weather conditions rope ties to secure boats to launching trolleys in the boat pack are recommended 
 
 
 
 

 Even More Entertainment
 
Breaking News - Mark Barnwell - Spanish, Latin and Flamenco guitarist will be playing for us at the Commodore's reception 

Ian, I had to do a double take of the the spelling of Barnwell there.....a little too close to the spelling of another Mark sailing next week!

 Hi Lou,
 Hope you like Mark's sideline. Did he not tell you he was moonlighting?
And this is Black Friday who are playing for the fancy dress night

 Updated Entry List
 
Latest list of entrants on Champs site - http://www.merlinrocket.co.uk/champs/entries/index.html
 
And I know of at least 2 more to sign on on the day.
 
Come on down.

I may be wrong...but isint barnsie a very accomplished ballroom dancer.....

 Measurement/Scrutineering
 
Please be aware that the scrutineering teams will be available from 09.00 - 17.00 on Saturday only. Boats may still Register on Sunday from 09.00 - 10.30 but, if they have not completed scrutineering, will only be give a provisional entry subject to measurement checks as convenient to the Senior Scrutineer. Please plan to arrive in time for measurement on Saturday.

 The Boat Park is now open. I know because Light is in No 1 spot - probably the only time this week.
 
Entries have topped 60. Still time to come and join us.
 
Wine Tasting - for this to be a goer we need final numbers by end of Registration at the very latest. Tickets from Angela at Registration - £20pp.
 
Safe trip down to all of you.

Hello all, you don't know what you are missing. After a threatening overnight weather forecast the early morning visitors to the prom were rewarded with blue skies, a lightish westerly breeze distant clouds and the occasional white horse offshore. Closer to home, the remnants of a south easterly were slightly more concerning as the shoreline promised 3 lines of good surfing breakers - great. The appearance of club rib heading to seaward to check the offshore conditions cause some merriment but produced a re-assuring report of westerly 16 - 19 kts and a "Moderate " sea (oh really?). The covers started to come off whilst the doubters were pointing out the predicted arrival of a tad more wind - Force 7 to be precise. The more mobid were stood at the end of the pier contemplating the incoming swell meeting the outgoing ebb. By 10.15 the promised wind had arrived and the Race Officer had no doubts about calling a postponement, the only question being, did we want to keep the option of a late pm start in case conditions moderated. Whilst there were willing volunteers the overall concensus was call it a day.Ultimately a good call as by 15.00 it was a as windy as at 11.00 if not a little fresher. A downwind exit with Salcombe style swatters and rocks to the left and right did not look at all attractive. So by way of alternative action some retired to the bar, some went go-karting, the kiddies headed off on a Treasure Hunt and Fran lead the way with tea-time beach rounders. Much boat fettling on a warm but windy afternoon was also evident - you can never spend too much time playing with the string. And now, well it's off to the Commodore's Buffet and Mark Barnwell's flamenco guitar. It's a tough life at the Nationals. We might even have to sail tomorrow.

Under starter's orders at 11.55 and off first time

 http://www.merlinrocket.co.uk/index.asp?selection=Results%20Detail&eid=3103&
 
 
Race 1, 2 and overall results here
See Y&Y for Tim Fells report.
Youtube footage will be available tomorrow.
Off to today's Daily Prizegiving. Only 7 barrels of Doom emptied so far

 For Tim's exccellent report and full results, check here:
 
http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/news/178305/PandB-Merlin-nationals-at-Looe-day-2 

 Amazing footage, well done !

 

 Race 1 & 2 video from yesterday. It looks quite civilized but I can tell you the bar talk was; epic, monstrous, phenomenal, amazing, terrifying - depending on your point of view. Watch out for the masterclass on finishing from Mark and Louise in 3751 - Race 2.
 
Another hectic day today; Kid's Painting Competition at 2, Fancy Dress tonight, Something Beginning with L, Daily Prizegiving 8.30 and dancing to Black Friday. We could probably do a Nats with no boats if necessary. 

Awesome video - certainly beats working this week!  Not sure the boat (or its crew) would have held together though.  Commiserations  to Lou and Mark BTDT; there is a proper masterclass in heavy weather reaching from Stu and Tom just over half way through the footage.

 Andrew - just wait until you see today's footage. We will stream it tonight and put the link on tomorrow.
 
62, out of 63, boats launched for weather that was pretty much a repeat of yesterday but without the 40kt line squall.
 
Tim's excellent report and latest results here:
http://www.yachtsandyachting.com/news/178334/PandB-Merlin-nationals-at-Looe-day-3 

 As promised, here is the action from Race 3. Pin end start absolutely nailed - mind you, it took the fleet 4 goes.
 
All you ever wanted to know about 3-sail reaching.
 
PS - come and join us next year

So, here it is. The long awaited video of Race 4. Race 5 to follow shortly. Hope you enjoy it. The fleet is just rigging and about to launch for the Ranelagh Trophy Race. For the hardiest teams - Crew's Race on completion

 Race 5 Video, as promised.
 
Streaming Race 6 now. Will post link as soon as possible 

Thanks for all the videos... 

 No problem, here's Race 6 as promised.
 
The fleet are at the start for the final race as we speak, under the AP with no wind. Expected to freshen within the next 30 mins - no Warning Signal will be made after 14.55.
 
Overall tied, Bronze Fleet leaders 3651 within a point of their competition 3566. Personal battles at all levels down the fleet. Can Olli Turner get in to single figures for an overall result.
 
 

Great videos and looks like a great week.
 
only thing is .. who won! - tweets from looe seemed to stop at 4th Windward!! - suspense is killing me!

Final results and report are now on the website from the latest results section on the homepage.
 
 
http://www.merlinrocket.co.uk/index.asp?selection=Results%20Detail&eid=3107&
 
 

 And here's the Race 7 video footage.
 
All done for 2014.
 
Come and join us in Whitstable for the 70th Champs in 2015

A big thank you to Ian and Angela (and all your other helpers in the class and at Looe Sailing Club) for a simply fantastic week in Looe. There was a lot of fun both on and off the water, we are looking forward to much the same in Whitstable next year!
 
See you in Lymington 20th and 21st September ;-) 
 
Lou and Mark 

 It's not over till the fat lady sings - well, not until you've heard the karaoke anyway. Here's the link.
 
Congratulations to the fleet; a combination of raffle ticket sales, tallying fines and a donation from the MROA raised £366 for the Looe Inshore RNLI and you kindly gave £80 for the trolley dollies and beach team.
 
Looe 2014 survey form will be posted shortly.
 
We were due back at Looe in 2021. Watch this space - it may be sooner.
 
Get your accommodation booked for Whitstable - 22-29 Aug 2015.