Datchet Flyer 2021 at Datchet Water Sailing Club

by Andy Rice 14 Dec 2021 14:15 PST 11-12 December 2021

Tom Gillard and Rachael Gray beat a 99-boat fleet in their Merlin Rocket to win the Datchet Flyer, the second event of the Seldén SailJuice Winter Series.

The Merlin narrowly beat Roger Gilbert and Ben McGrane in their 505 with Jack Hopkins' Laser (ILCA 7) edging out the GP14 of Nick Craig and Toby Lewis for third place. Olympic Champion Dylan Fletcher stepped into the back of a National 18 with Michael Wilson and Ben Batchelor to finish in fifth place.

It was a diverse entry of boats with 34 classes ranging from the Topper to the Formula 18 catamaran, along with Flying 15 keelboats and National 18s. There was a big 420 turnout, the class making this one of the go-to events for the winter season.

A big 420 fleet for the Datchet Flyer 2021 - photo © Tim Olin / www.olinphoto.co.uk

It was also diverse weather. Saturday suffered temperature and winds in single figures; Sunday soared with temperature and winds both in double figures, occasionally gusting 15 knots and even causing some capsizes.

Gillard and Gray won the opening race on Saturday, and the next race went to Patrick Overs in his Solo. Overnight after two races very close, Laser (ILCA 7) sailor Ben Flower was just one point ahead of Gillard and Gray, just ahead of Laser (ILCA 7) sailor Jack Hopkins.

With the much better weather conditions on Sunday, PRO Seb Camisuli announced two races for the day, starting with Race 3 (average laps), followed by a long-distance split-fleet pursuit race.

Roger Gilbert and Ben McGrane take second in the Datchet Flyer 2021 - photo © Tim Olin / www.olinphoto.co.uk

With starting for the pursuit split into fast and slow handicap divisions, the big RS Aero 7 fleet headed the charge for the fast fleet and enjoyed some close class racing, with Steve Norbury, Pete Barton and Ellie Craig all pushing hard to head the pack.

At the 100 minute mark, Gillard and Gray just managed to hold off the hard-charging 505 of Roger Gilbert and Ben McGrane. In the slow handicap race, last winter's runner-up, Luke Fisher's RS Vareo won from Hopkins' Laser (ILCA 7) and Nick Craig and Toby Lewis's GP14.

The overall scores were very close, with the Merlin Rocket of Tom Gillard and Rachael Gray (9 pts), 505 of Roger Gilbert and Ben McGrane (12 pts), Jack Hopkins Laser (ILCA 7 - 12.5 pts) taking the top three.

Olympic Champion Dylan Fletcher stepped into the back of a National 18 with Michael Wilson and Ben Batchelor for the Datchet Flyer 2021 - photo © Tim Olin / www.olinphoto.co.uk

SpeedSix challenge

Not surprisingly on Saturday, SailRacer GPS trackers struggled to record any sustained speeds over five knots.

Sunday saw many boats posting speeds in double figures, the F18 of Sam van de Velde the fastest with 13.19 knots in Race 3, followed by Musto Skiff sailor Fred Cudmore at 11.19 knots.

Adjusted speeds

Freddie Sunderland in his Laser 4.7 (ILCA 4), was fastest on adjusted speed in the pursuit race, followed by Stuart Jones on his Contender.

Jon Emmett interviews Rachael Gray

Past and future series

Online prize-giving for the 2001/21 season is this Thursday evening. More details here: www.facebook.com/SeldenSailJuiceWinterSeries

As for the 2021/22 season: coming up at the end of this month are two events on the same day. Yorkshire Dales Brass Monkey in the north, and Burghfield Breezer in the south. To enter these and other events in the series, go here: www.sailjuiceseries.com

Datchet Flyer 2021 - photo © Tim Olin / www.olinphoto.co.uk

Events in the Seldén SailJuice Winter Series 2021/22:

Fernhurst Books Draycote Dash, Draycote Water SC
20 & 21 November 2021
Datchet Flyer, Datchet Water Sailing Club
11 & 12 December 2021
Yorkshire Dales Brass Monkey, Yorkshire Dales SC
27 December 2021
Burghfield Breezer, Burghfield Sailing Club
27 December 2021
Grafham Grand Prix, Grafham Water Sailing Club
2 January 2022
Bloody Mary (TBC), Queen Mary Sailing Club
8 January 2022
King George Gallop, King George Sailing Club
22 January 2022
John Merricks Tiger Trophy, Rutland Sailing Club
5 & 6 February 2022
Oxford Blue, Oxford Sailing Club
19 February 2022

Datchet Flyer 2021 - photo © Tim Olin / www.olinphoto.co.uk

Overall Results:

Pos	Class	Hcap	Sail No	Helm	Crew	Club	R1	R2	R3	R4	Pts
1	Merlin Rocket	980	3759	Thomas GILLARD	Rachael GRAY	Staunton Harold SC	1	6	‑8	2	9
2	505	883	9215	Roger GILBERT	Ben MCGRANE	Netley SC	6	‑11.5	1	4	11
3	Laser	1108	218526	Jack HOPKINS		Delph Sailing Club	4	5	‑22	4	13
4	GP14	1130	14185	Nick CRAIG	Tobytastic LEWIS	Burghfield / Frensham	5	‑7	4	6	15
5	National 18	906	425	Dylan FLETCHER	Michael / Ben WILSON / BATCHELOR	Isle Of Man YC	‑11	8	6	6	20
6	Laser	1108	215390	Thomas BRINDLEY		Redesmere SC	7	4	‑23.5	10	21
7	RS Vareo	1093	621	Luke FISHER		Emberton Park SC	‑14	14	7	2	23
8	Laser	1108	212109	Ben FLOWER		Paignton SC	‑3	3	3	20	26
9	Enterprise	1153	22456	Nigel BIRD	Iain BIRD	R.Y.A	2	‑25	13	14	29
10	Supernova	1077	1060	Alex HORLOCK		Warsash SC	‑51.5	9	11	16	36
11	RS400	953	1408	Nicholas CHARLES	Chris MARTIN	Burghfield	10	‑27	17	10	37
12	RS Aero 7	1073	3597	Peter BARTON		Lymington Town SC	9	‑30	25	8	42
13	420	1083	56108	Alice DAVIS	Oliver RAYNER	Great moor / Draycote	‑18	10	9	26	45
14	Laser Radial	1147	216646	Alastair BROWN		Stokes Bay / Great Moor	25	‑47	10	12	47
15	Laser Radial	1147	216115	Jon EMMETT		Weir Wood	26	‑33.5	14	8	48
16	RS400	953	1502	Jon HEISSIG	Nicky GRIFFIN	Llangorse SC	12	‑26	18	18	48
17	Solo	1152	5693	Fraser HAYDEN		Papercourt SC	8	11.5	‑38	32	51.5
18	420	1083	55242	Harry GEORGE	Ralph CAWRHORNE	Lymington	16	‑49.5	2	34	52
19	505	883	9177	Tom JEFFCOATE	Tim HARTLEY	Chew	13	‑16	16	28	57
20	420	1083	55854	Joe WARWICKER	Hugo VALENTINE	Shoreham SC	35	‑51	5	22	62
21	RS Aero 7	1073	3866	Ellie CRAIG		Starcross	29	19	‑31	14	62
22	505	883	9180	Mark UPTON‑BROWN	Ian MITCHELL	Hayling / Bosham	17	23	‑23.5	22	62
23	National 18	906	401	Phil HARDISTY	Chris Hill PETE RICHARDSON	Isle of Man YC	22	‑45	12	32	66
24	RS300	989	348	Chris HATTON		Lymington Town	32	‑37.5	27.5	12	71.5
25	Osprey	936	1369	Roger BLAKE	James BLAKE	Great Moor	‑62.5	29	19	24	72
26	RS200	1046	1270	Alex SMALLWOOD	Tom KOSTELETOS	Datchet Water SC	19	‑37.5	21	34	74
27	420	1083	54483	Millie IRISH	Clara JONES	Draycote Water SC	38	2	‑48	40	80
28	RS Aero 7	1073	3000	Steve NORBURY		Warsash	‑47	43.5	29	16	88.5
29	Solo	1152	5904	Patrick OVERS		Paxton Lakes SC	39.5	1	‑56.5	48	88.5
30	Scorpion	1030	2042	Dave WADE	Ben RAYNER	Draycote Water	20	22	‑26	50	92
31	420	1083	56091	Imogen WADE	Matthew RAYNER	Draycote Water	‑41.5	35	30	28	93
32	RS200	1046	1019	James WILLIAMS	Sarah TUPPEN	CVLSC	21	‑52	47	26	94
33	RS400	953	767	Chris LARR	Abigail LARR	Draycote Water	33	‑79	42	20	95
34	Osprey	936	1347	Philip MEAKINS	Nick WILLIS	Warsash SC	23	31	‑32	42	96
35	Merlin Rocket	980	3787	Chris MARTIN	John TAILBY	Midland SC	‑41.5	20	36	40	96
36	Albacore	1053	8209	Cameron MOSS	Jake STOW	Lyme Regis SC	15	24	‑44	58	97
37	Solo	1152	4768	Jon CAWTHORNE		Shustoke Sailing Club	24	13	‑73	62	99
38	420	1083	56007	Freya SEWELL	Arlo BRAUND	Draycote Water SC	31	‑57	46	24	101
39	420	1083	56112	Sam GRAYTON	Raife PIGGOTT	Notts County	27.5	‑48	34	46	107.5
40	Hadron H2	1034	142	Barry WOLFENDEN		Bough Beech	‑57	17	37	56	110
41	D‑Zero	1043	328	Thomas SOUTHWELL		Lee on the solent	37	‑42	41	38	116
42	Laser 4.7	1208	216023	Freddie SUNDERLAND		Draycote Water	71	‑74	27.5	18	116.5
43	K1	1064	73	Ian DUKE		Datchet Water	27.5	‑55	45	44	116.5
44	Laser Radial	1147	194659	Will SUNDERLAND		Draycote Water	‑58	54	35	36	125
45	Supernova	1077	1083	Serena STEWARDSON		Emberton Park	‑72	18	67	42	127
46	RS Vareo	1093	606	Nick CRICKMORE		WOBYC	53.5	37.5	‑62	38	129
47	RS200	1046	1721	Michael WARWICKER	Kate FITZSIMMONS	Shoreham SC	39.5	40	‑51	52	131.5
48	420	1083	52915	Jibriel BOSTAN	Patrick HILL	Island Barn	46	15	‑75	74	135
49	Enterprise	1153	22901	Paul YOUNG	Nathan MCGRORY	Midland Sailing Club	30	37.5	‑53	76	143.5
50	RS Aero 7	1073	2717	Chris HARRUP		Burghfield SC	43	‑58	54	48	145
51	D‑Zero	1043	191	Nigel AUSTIN		Cransley SC	36	49.5	‑60	62	147.5
52	RS200	1046	1173	Emily DAVIS	Jo TRIBE	Great moor sailing club	55	41	‑58	54	150
53	Osprey	936	1175	Emma STEVENSON	Tim BOWDEN	Weymouth			20	30	150
54	Contender		2706	Stuart Jones		DWSC			15	36	151
55	D‑Zero	1043	181	Gordon STEWART		NHEBSC	‑62.5	53	52	48	153
56	RS Vareo	1093	443	Paul NORTH		Milton Keynes SC	‑75	33.5	65	56	154.5
57	Osprey	936	1373	Richard MARSHALL	Jonathan OSGOOD	Poole YC	34		43	80	157
58	470	973	1	Megan FARRER	Iain BLAKE	Emsworth sc	‑50	21	39	99	159
59	Laser	1108	213545	George SUNDERLAND		Draycote Water	‑45	43.5	40	78	161.5
60	420	1083	55244	Henry HEATHCOTE	Hector BENNETT	RLymYC			33	30	163
61	Laser 4.7	1208	205176	Samson CROSS		Shoreham/Island Barn	70	‑76	50	50	170
62	Laser Radial	1147	190673	Joe MOLE		Papercourt	‑74	63	49	60	172
63	Streaker	1155	1462	Paul CARRINGTON		Paxton Lakes	60	61	‑68	52	173
64	Miracle	1194	4114	Graham WATTS	Helen JACKS	Staunton Harold	53.5	56	‑66	64	173.5
65	Hadron H2	1034	145	Richard LEFTLEY		Burghfield Sailing Club	44	32		99	175
66	420	1083	53959	Ellie CREIGHTON	Bea GREENFIELD	CARDIFF BAY	51.5	28		99	178.5
67	420	1083	51766	Emma BREESE	Richard BREESE	RLymYC	‑78	73	55	54	182
68	Scorpion	1030	1962	Fraser EARLE	Will COOK	Lyme Regis	56	‑70.5	63	68	187
69	RS Feva XL	1244	7264	Jeremy LANDON	Henry LANDON	Datchey	48	‑69	69	72	189
70	RS Aero 7	1073	2504	George HOSKINS		Datchet Water SC	‑66	61	61	72	194
71	420	1083	55633	Noa MOSKOVITCH	Gabs BURLTON	Royal Lymington YC	‑76.5	68	59	70	197
72	Blaze	1033	614	Bob LADELL		King George SC	67	‑75	71	60	198
73	Hadron H2	1034	124	Chris BROWN		RORC / BSC	68	61	‑70	70	199
74	Musto Skiff	849	86	Fred CUDMORE		Datchet Water	76.5	77	‑80.5	46	199.5
75	RS200	1046	952	Paul ROBSON	Hadey LINES	Reading SC	49		76	76	201
76	RS200	1046	1253	Tom HIRST	Joe SUTTON‑JONES	Broadstairs SC	‑69	65	64	74	203
77	Hadron H2	1034	148	Dave BARKER		Draycotewater	59	46		99	204
78	Vortex	917	2014	Jonathan CARTER		Rickmansworth	‑82	64	74	66	204
79	420	1083	53328	Edwin CROSS	Finley SOUTHON	Shoreham/Island Barn	73	70.5	‑79	68	211.5
80	420	1083	55634	Eva MILLER	Rose EDMONDS	Snettisham Beach	‑80	80	77	58	215
81	RS Aero 7	1073	2384	Simon GEYMAN		Datchet / Lymington Town			56.5	64	220.5
82	Laser Radial	1147	164918	John CANT		Erith Yacht Club	64	59		99	222
83	420	1083	54682	Oscar FRY	Jemima FRY	Warsash SC	79	‑81	80.5	66	225.5
84	Merlin Rocket	980	3667	Tim MEDCALF	Matty KEY	Tamesis Club	61	66		99	226
85	RS Aero 7	1073	1813	Simon ETTER		DWSC	65	67		99	231
86	Laser Radial	1147	217035	Maddie CHILDS		King George				44	244
87	RS500	966	942	Alex RAEBURN‑JAMES	Natalya WILLIAMS	Datchet Water	81	72		99	252
88	Flying 15		4027	Michael Clapp	Michelle Finch	DWSC			72	82	254
89	K1		131	Ian Keyne		DWSC			78	78	256
90	Formula 18	665	1261	Sam VAN DE VELDE	Oli GREBER	Datchet Water	83	78		99	260