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News / MROA - February update

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Hi all,

This weekend is the first ever Virtual Dinghy Show, and the Merlin Rocket Class have been exhibiting. Pippa Kilsby and Pat Blake have been working really hard with a new video to show off the class, and to populate the Merlin Rocket YouTube account with content. Obviously, the Virtual Dinghy Show won’t have the atmosphere of what we’ve come to expect but it’s still great to think of a load of sailors getting together around the country to chat about boats!

In the news this week Boris and Nicola updated us on England and Scotland’s route map to get out of lockdown. With the vaccination programme being a success, we are in a strong position to expect that events this summer should go ahead. Unfortunately, but understandably, there is a likelihood of some disruption to the start of the season, but am sure that our Silver Tiller Coordinator (Caroline Croft), Midland Coordinator (Martin Smith) and Vintage / Thames Coordinator (Stuart Jenkins) will update you as required.

I am delighted to see 36 entries for the Aspire Merlin Rocket National Championships which will be held at East Lothian Yacht Club in North Berwick on 14th to 19th August. There looks to be a good range of boats and Gold, Silver and Bronze boats due to compete. I want to reiterate that everyone is welcome!!! Please can I ask you to get your entries in if you’re planning to come to help Chris Martin and the team organise a great event: http://events.sailracer.org/eventsites/content.asp?eventid=220014&id=48172&typ=13

This month, we hosted our first in a series of Merlin Rocket ‘Boat Chats’. I wanted to thank Sam Brearey for presenting the first on how to prepare for the Nationals (or any big event for that matter). The event had 61 people dial in and is available to view again from the Merlin Rocket YouTube account: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbIJdAVHj2YScbT0S_qSmuw. Our next presentation will be on 11th March at 1930hrs with, David Battye (our Nationals on the water judge) on changes to the Racing Rules of Sailing (2021 2024), and on the 1st April, Alex Warren will be sharing his knowledge on all things fitness to help us get prepared for the new season.

Finally, I wanted to send my best wishes to the family and friends of Robert Harris who very sadly passed away this month. Robert was a keen Merlin Rocket sailor and Chairman of the class from 1964-5 and 1979–81, winning Salcombe week and coming third at the Nationals.

Wishing you all the best and see you on the water ASAP.

Chris Kilsby, MROA Chair



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