MERLIN ROCKET RESULTS
20242023202220212020201920182017201620152014

Results / Fellucca

Hollingworth Lake S.C.
08/10/2016 - 09/10/2016
Silver Tiller: R
Multi-Day Silver Tiller: Sunday
Vintage:
Regional:
Classic:
Chris Gould and Chris Kilsby were the clear winners of the Felucca Trophy on its 60th anniversary, while the Club and the MROA celebrate their respective 70th anniversaries. Thanks to sponsorship from Craftinsure (and their support of the Silver Tiller, raced on Sunday) there were also spot prizes to be won.
The forecast for the weekend had indicated steady North East winds between 8 and 12 mph. In reality, it was not as stable as that! There was plenty of bright sunshine and, usually, an easterly wind at Hollingworth Lake can be stronger than expected. At least it meant that a maximum length beat could be set. That Saturdays 2 races were started without a black flag was a pleasant surprise with a fleet of 19 competitive Merlins. Last year's winner, Caroline Croft, with Beka Jones, found the way to lead the first race only to find sisterly pairing of Jen Dodds and Pippa Taylor getting a better starboard lift to catch them, and take the lead to the finish with the Chris team following, ahead of Andy 'Taxi' Davies and Chris Dodds.
A change of course for the second race and this time it was Taxi and Chris Dodds who found the way to lead, followed by David and Oliver Winder. Behind, there was some place changing with Caroline Croft gaining third place and Richad Whitworth, with Sally Townend, expected to have enough local knowledge from his past time here to benefit his chances. At this stage, it was looking as if any one of 7 boats could take the event.
The evening witnessed the usual social and excellent Felucca dinner served by club members. However, there did not seem to be too many sore heads on the Sunday morning. That day's racing was for the Silver Tiller series. Again, the first race got away clean and no black flag. While the Chris team were off and away, Richard Whitworth knew where to start on the line at the leeward end and hold for a port lift which brought him into second place ahead of Taxi and the sisters. While the Chris team built up a 2 minute lead the 3 boats behind jostled closely for their places.
After a good lunch, the final 2 races were sailed back-to-back. The first start resulted in a recall and the black flag at last, with one boat clearly over. Again the Chris team showed the way, except on the second lap, Simon Potts and Ally Martin were on form and briefly took the lead, only to sail off in the hope of a port lift to the windward mark which failed to materialise, losing out to the Chris team and the sisters.
The clouds passing over were unsettling the wind direction more for the final race. The black flag did not hold back the fleet enough. Julian Parry and son Evan were fortunate to round the windward mark ahead as the wind died away and calm descended as others struggled to keep moving. A roguish black cloud took the wind into the south-east and the race got underway again, but the Parrys were too far ahead to be challenged while Caroline Croft sailed steadily in second, with the Chris team keeping going in third. So Chris Gould and Chris Kilsby won the overall event and the Silver Tiller result, while behind places were closely fought in the following six results.
Overall Results:
PosSail NoBoatHelmCrewClubR1R2R3R4R5Pts
1st3778Peer PressureChris GouldChris KilsbyBlithfield / Thames2‑61137
2nd3684Keyser SozeAndy DaviesChris DoddsBlithfied313‑6411
3rd3611The Phantom MenaceJen DoddsPippa TaylorNottingham1‑942613
4th3673The OldieCaroline CroftBeka JonesBlithfield‑8365216
5th3777Mocking JaySimon PottsAlly MartinBurghfield4553(DNF)17
6th3781The Force AwakensDavid WinderOliver WinderHLSC72‑84518
7th3703FaithlessRichard WhitworthSally TownendHLSC / Parkstone542‑7718
8th3659ZenoJulian ParryEvan ParryHLSC‑11898126
9th3744Mylo XylotoChris MartinOliver MacleanMidland‑14107141041
10th3716Carbon FootprintSteve LeneyGill LeneyBlithfield6710(BFD)DNC43
11th3557Out of the Blue 2Guy WinderTom MurphyHLSC9131112(DNF)45
12th3775LaidbackLes BithellJan McNeilHLSC131114‑15947
13th3679Daddy's BoatNick HeginbothamLucy HeginbothamHLSC10‑1413131147
14th3678NoraTom DanielAndrew HiltonHLSC15‑161291248
15th3630CarpediemBruce MagerCraig JowettHLSC16‑171610850
16th3670Filthy GorgeousOliver WhiteheadEmma TurnerHLSC121215(DNF)1554
17th2663Tyrannosaurus RexChris HaworthJo HaworthBlackpool & Fleetwood‑171517111457
18th3567Fat Boy SlimMartin SmithKaren BestonBlithfield‑191818161365
19th3755Tickled PinkPeter JacksonPauline MunroBlackpool & Fleetwood1819(DNC)DNCDNC77

Owners Association


Developed & Supported by YorkSoft Ltd

Contact

Merlin Rocket Owners Association
Secretary