Results / Midland Circuit

Blithfield sailing club hosted their round of the HD Sails Merlin Rocket Midland Circuit on the 2^nd July, preceding this event on Saturday 1^st the club hosted a Merlin training day attended by about 10 teams eager to hone their rigs & skills. Unfortunately, it was a bit windy so only the team of Rob Kennaugh & Andrew Prosser went for a sail. The rest of the teams spent time checking over rig settings & discussing all things, Merlin!  Discussion continued through the evening BBQ.

Sunday dawned and any hopes of a gentle sail soon diminished as it was again a bit windy. It was in fact so windy it was all a bit of a blur.  Rob & Andrew got the shifts right in race 1 to take the win. Everyone came in for lunch.  Mat Biggs & Beka Jones got race 2 right and won that one.  Race 3 was back-to-back with Race 2.  Then in Race 3 Rob & Andrew shot off into the distance to take the win, but this race will be remembered for two things, firstly the extra lap that no one except the race officer wanted and secondly at the end of said extra lap Matt chucking a gybe in on the run and tipping it in much to Beka’s amusement.

So, Rob and Andrew won the trophy and wine, Beka was relieved that she didn’t have to make a speech but still got some wine as her and Matt came second, and we (Paul Keeling/Steve McCarthy) came third.

Everyone had a great day with lots of smiles, cake and tales to tell at the bar afterwards. Many thanks to the Blithfield team for running a slick day both on & off the water.

The next HD Sails Midland Circuit is at Banbury Sailing Club on the 23^rd July.

Thank you Paul Keeling for the report.