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Merlin Rocket DeMay Series & Thames Series, sponsored by Craftinsure, at Upper Thames Sailing Club

by Nicola Scaddan 15 Sep 2022 02:07 PDT 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.

Merlin Rocket De May Series and Thames Series at Upper Thames - photo © Rob O'Neill
Merlin Rocket De May Series and Thames Series at Upper Thames - photo © Rob O'Neill

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.

Merlin Rocket De May Series and Thames Series at Upper Thames - photo © Rob O'Neill
Merlin Rocket De May Series and Thames Series at Upper Thames - photo © Rob O'Neill

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.

Merlin Rocket De May Series and Thames Series at Upper Thames - photo © Rob O'Neill
Merlin Rocket De May Series and Thames Series at Upper Thames - photo © Rob O'Neill

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:

PosBoatSail NoHelmCrewClubR1R2R3
De May Vintage Series (Saturday)
1stKaty Lou1493Chris KilsbyPippa KilsbyThames SC(3)11
2ndHullabalou1692Rob CageJohn ReayThames SC1(3)2
3rdLuka3560Ollie HousemanEmily HousmanChew Valley Lake SC(5)24
4thKeto799John MeadowcroftKatie MeadowcroftUpper Thames SC(4)43
5thFlinkidink1097John BellNicola ScaddanHampton SC2(5)5
6thTiersel901Pat BlakeJilly BlakeCookham Reach SC66(DNF)
7thChindit578Alex PauseyRichard PauseyUpper Thames SC(8)76
8thRapport3247Alistair Patterson  9(10)7
9thBottle Rocket1951Guy JacobsLila JacobsUpper Thames SC(10)88
10thExequisite2266Chris RathboneSonia RathboneUpper Thames SC79(DNS)
11thLady Luck1477Sellena YatesBob YatesUpper Thames SC11(DNF)DNF
12thSatisfaction2604Jeremy SteinSarah PercivalUpper Thames SC(DNF)DNFDNS
Thames Series (Sunday)
1stHullabalou1692Rob CageJohn ReayThames SC(6)11
2ndLuka3560Ollie HousemanEmily HousmanChew Valley Lake SC(4)22
3rdFlinkidink1097Stuart JenkinsNicola ScaddanHampton SC1(5)4
4thSalmon en Croute3702Duncan SalmonRuth HanstaterWembley SC33(6)
5thAndromeda3259Charlie MorganAmanda BattenTamesis SC2(6)5
6thFragile3727Mark StockbridgeJake Gould 5(8)3
7thChindit578Andrew HarrisMatty KeyTamesis SC(DNS)47
8thSmartypants3506Graham WebbMary Webb (11)78
9thBottle Rocket1951Guy JacobsLila JacobsUpper Thames SC8(12)9
10thRapport3247Alistair Patterson  109(DNS)
11thSkip3771Alex PauseySophie Rouse‑JenningsUpper Thames SC910(DNS)
12thDeep Thought3451Martin WhitworthSue MackensieUpper Thames SC(12)1110
13thIf3686Kevin RoseEmily CharlesUpper Thames SC7(DNF)DNS
14thLady Luck1477Sellena YatesBob YatesUpper Thames SC13(DNF)11
15thKaty Lou1493Chris KilsbyPippa KilsbyThames SC(DNF)DNSDNS

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