Aspire Merlin Rocket Nationals at Lyme Regis Sailing Club - Day 3

Despite a forecast which encouraged making plans for a day on the beach, almost on cue a SSW Force 3 clocked in under wall-to-wall sunshine. What was not to like?

The eager fleet lined up for race 5 full of expectation for a truly great day's racing. Maybe their enthusiasm got the better of them for after a general recall under U Flag, the Black Flag appeared, and two more general recalls occurred, with a major impact on the top teams. First to go, with Yellow Leaders jerseys shining brightly in the sun, were Christian Birrell and Sam Brearey, closely followed by Chris Jennings and Oli Wells and Nick Craig and Tobytastic. Simon and Ally Potts together with Tim Fells and Fran Gifford were also sent home for an ice cream on the beach.

At the fourth time of asking, the fleet was away with Roger Gilbert and James Stewart making the early running. However, a bit more pressure on the left brought Chris Gould and Chris Kilsby in first at the mark, followed by Taxi and Alex Warren, then Roger and James.

These places remained unchanged, despite many attacks and ripostes, until the final run to the finish. Taxi managed to push the Chris's to the left of the leeward mark meaning they had to gybe on the mark, while Taxi was coming in hot, enabling him to get above them and roll them on the final dash to the line.

Andy Davis leading Chris Gould into the finish during Aspire Merlin Nationals at Lyme Regis day 3 - photo © Pauline Rook

Roger and James came home third ahead of the rapidly improving Mike and Jane Calvert, keeping both these teams in with a shout if Christian and Sam have further slip ups. Jon Turner and Richard Parslow continued their strong regatta with a fifth, ahead of Dave Wade and Rachel Rhodes.

Shortly after the dust had settled on the championship race, the main event of the day ensued. Over 20 crews grabbed the opportunity to give their helms a taste of their own medicine and lined up in near perfect conditions for the 2018 Crews Race. After an obligatory general recall, the fleet were away with James Ward and Steve Hall making the early running, closely pursued by Rachel Rhodes who had called on the skills of I14 World Champion crew Sam Pascoe as clearly Dave Wade should not be let anywhere near the front end of the boat. Chasing hard were Pete Gray with the ample frame of Jon Gorringe keeping the stem submerged, along with Oli Wells and Chris Jennings whose spinnaker flying can only be described as truly woeful.

As soon as the need to fly spinnakers came in to play, the wheat was separated from the chaff. Ally and Simon Potts scorched to the front of the fleet and never looked back, taking the coveted title ahead of Fran Gifford and Tim Fells.

Ally Potts winning the Crews' Race during Aspire Merlin Nationals at Lyme Regis day 3 - photo © Pauline Rook

The forecast for Wednesday looks like more of the same and with two races scheduled, it could be the main moving day of the week.

Silver Fleet report

The Silver Fleet suffered one or two black flag casualties today.

Deserving winners were Sam and Leanne Thompson who beat Richard Dee and Colin Anderson into second place. Third were flying ladies Sophie Mackley and Claire Mills. Sophie and Claire hold onto the Silver Fleet leaders jersey going into Day 4, another 2-race day. And Sophie is in 2nd position for the Amazons Cup – 1st Lady Helm overall – in hot pursuit of Gold Fleet's Caroline Croft.

Bronze Fleet report

Day 3 of the Merlin Rocket National Championships and another shake up for Bronze Fleet Mark Smyth/Julie Cronshaw and John Cooper/Beci Wigley counted amongst the eleven black flagged boats of todays race and missed out on the champagne sailing conditions Lyme Bay offered today.

Phil and Ali Ashworth got themselves into top gear and did their best to hunt down the second placed Bronze Fleet boat Paul Dean/Szymon Matyjasczuk who sailed outstandingly to finish 32nd overall. It was Ben Archer/Theo Harris who stamped their authority on the fleet, finishing 28th despite counting a 5 point tally penalty. The battle continues with Dean/Matyjaszczuk remaining series leaders going into Day 4 and another two-race day.

Results after Day 3: