Merlin Rockets turned out on Saturday 20 May at Tamesis Club for the Porteous Cup and Southcott Cup. Also, at stake on the day were points in the de May Series, sponsored by CraftInsure.
Tamesis Club was a wonderful place to spend a windy, sunny May weekend. The club hosted Merlin Opens on both Saturday and Sunday. Here is a racing report from the Saturday.
Conditions were ideal with F2-3 from the Northeast and plenty of sunshine. The course for the first two races was laid in front of the club. The wind kindly came up for the start of the first race, but there were several holes at the downstream/upwind end, so the windward mark was moved upstream a little for the second race.
There were a few blustery gusts to contend with and this wind direction always keeps the racers on their toes as the wind channels down in eddies along the river.
In the afternoon, the leeward mark was laid above Stevens Ait for a longer course with a narrower section to contend with on the run and beat. Race team Peter and Pauline Fryer managed to pack in four races which was enough to test the stamina of many competitors. Thankfully it wasn’t five!
After a fabulous barbecue lunch which was enjoyed by club members as well as the competitors, the afternoon racing got underway promptly. So promptly that three boats unfortunately (and somewhat controversially) missed the start.
The last race, as well as counting for the series, was for the Southcott Cup. Crewed by Sara Warren, Andy Harris in 607 Crescendo had two bullets from the morning and a clear lead in race four was enough for them to win both the Porteous Cup for the series and the Southcott Cup.
There was very close racing for 2nd, 3rd, and 4th. Luka (3560), Hullabaloo (1692) and Lady Ann (1978) could barely be separated on the penultimate lap after 45 minutes of racing.
The outcome of the battle put Ollie Houseman and Egle Tumosa in Luka from TC and Chew Valley in second place for the Southcott Cup and third in the overall Porteous Cup.
Rob Cage and Sarah White in Hullabaloo from Thames S.C. came third in the Southcott.
Joe McLaughlin and Sean Roberts in Lady Anne took second in the Porteous Cup.
The club is open to visiting Merlins and particularly of interest is the 10 week ‘Travellers Series’ midwinter racing, when other local clubs may be off the water.
The next De May Series event is at Burton Sailing Club on 4th June 2023.
Thank you Peter Impey for the report.
