Merlin Rocket De May Series & Thames Series, sponsored by Craftinsure, at Upper Thames Sailing Club
by Nicola Scaddan 15 Sep 2022 21:07 NZST
10-11 September 2022
Merlin Rocket De May Series and Thames Series at Upper Thames © Rob O'Neill
The Merlin Rockets were at Upper Thames Sailing Club for the weekend of 10 and 11 September, with the De May Vintage event taking place on the Saturday, and the Thames Series racing on Sunday. There was a good turn-out on both days, with 12 boats sailing on Saturday and 15 on Sunday.
The wind on the Saturday was light and variable, which led the Race Officer to set laps consisting of a longer leg followed by a shorter one, to give the race box flexibility to shorten course as needed.
Following Race 1 there was a break for lunch and a one-minute silence held in memory of the Queen, the start and end of which were signalled by the firing of the Club's cannons.
Despite the challenging conditions, the racing was closely fought, and the event was won by Chris and Pippa Kilsby, sailing 1493 Katy Lou. The last race of the day was also for the Spade Oak Bowl, again won by Chris and Pippa.
Saturday night saw a well-attended Caribbean-themed social evening.
Sunday dawned with winds even lighter than on the Saturday, and a similar course to that of the Saturday.
In the first race, Charlie Morgan and Amanda Batten in Andromeda stretched out a good lead, only to be overtaken by Stuart Jenkins and Nicola Scaddan, sailing 1097 Flinkidink, on the final lap.
The second and third races, and therefore the day, were won by Rob Cage and John Reay in Hullabaloo, 1692.
The weekend was rounded off by prize-giving. Spot prizes, kindly provided by Craftinsure, were awarded, including one to the youngest crew, Emily Housman in 3560 Luka.
The next Vintage event is at Banbury Sailing Club on 24th September and the next Thames Series at Hampton Sailing Club on 9th October.
Overall Results:
| Pos | Boat | Sail No | Helm | Crew | Club | R1 | R2 | R3 |
|---|
| De May Vintage Series (Saturday) |
|---|
| 1st | Katy Lou | 1493 | Chris Kilsby | Pippa Kilsby | Thames SC | (3) | 1 | 1 |
| 2nd | Hullabalou | 1692 | Rob Cage | John Reay | Thames SC | 1 | (3) | 2 |
| 3rd | Luka | 3560 | Ollie Houseman | Emily Housman | Chew Valley Lake SC | (5) | 2 | 4 |
| 4th | Keto | 799 | John Meadowcroft | Katie Meadowcroft | Upper Thames SC | (4) | 4 | 3 |
| 5th | Flinkidink | 1097 | John Bell | Nicola Scaddan | Hampton SC | 2 | (5) | 5 |
| 6th | Tiersel | 901 | Pat Blake | Jilly Blake | Cookham Reach SC | 6 | 6 | (DNF) |
| 7th | Chindit | 578 | Alex Pausey | Richard Pausey | Upper Thames SC | (8) | 7 | 6 |
| 8th | Rapport | 3247 | Alistair Patterson | | | 9 | (10) | 7 |
| 9th | Bottle Rocket | 1951 | Guy Jacobs | Lila Jacobs | Upper Thames SC | (10) | 8 | 8 |
| 10th | Exequisite | 2266 | Chris Rathbone | Sonia Rathbone | Upper Thames SC | 7 | 9 | (DNS) |
| 11th | Lady Luck | 1477 | Sellena Yates | Bob Yates | Upper Thames SC | 11 | (DNF) | DNF |
| 12th | Satisfaction | 2604 | Jeremy Stein | Sarah Percival | Upper Thames SC | (DNF) | DNF | DNS |
| Thames Series (Sunday) |
|---|
| 1st | Hullabalou | 1692 | Rob Cage | John Reay | Thames SC | (6) | 1 | 1 |
| 2nd | Luka | 3560 | Ollie Houseman | Emily Housman | Chew Valley Lake SC | (4) | 2 | 2 |
| 3rd | Flinkidink | 1097 | Stuart Jenkins | Nicola Scaddan | Hampton SC | 1 | (5) | 4 |
| 4th | Salmon en Croute | 3702 | Duncan Salmon | Ruth Hanstater | Wembley SC | 3 | 3 | (6) |
| 5th | Andromeda | 3259 | Charlie Morgan | Amanda Batten | Tamesis SC | 2 | (6) | 5 |
| 6th | Fragile | 3727 | Mark Stockbridge | Jake Gould | | 5 | (8) | 3 |
| 7th | Chindit | 578 | Andrew Harris | Matty Key | Tamesis SC | (DNS) | 4 | 7 |
| 8th | Smartypants | 3506 | Graham Webb | Mary Webb | | (11) | 7 | 8 |
| 9th | Bottle Rocket | 1951 | Guy Jacobs | Lila Jacobs | Upper Thames SC | 8 | (12) | 9 |
| 10th | Rapport | 3247 | Alistair Patterson | | | 10 | 9 | (DNS) |
| 11th | Skip | 3771 | Alex Pausey | Sophie Rouse‑Jennings | Upper Thames SC | 9 | 10 | (DNS) |
| 12th | Deep Thought | 3451 | Martin Whitworth | Sue Mackensie | Upper Thames SC | (12) | 11 | 10 |
| 13th | If | 3686 | Kevin Rose | Emily Charles | Upper Thames SC | 7 | (DNF) | DNS |
| 14th | Lady Luck | 1477 | Sellena Yates | Bob Yates | Upper Thames SC | 13 | (DNF) | 11 |
| 15th | Katy Lou | 1493 | Chris Kilsby | Pippa Kilsby | Thames SC | (DNF) | DNS | DNS |
