Merlin Rocket Craftinsure Silver Tiller round 6 at Shoreham Sailing Club

Start of Race 5 - Merlin Rocket Craftinsure Silver Tiller round 6 at Shoreham © Warwick Baker / www.warwickpics.com

The Craftinsure Silver Tiller open meeting at Shoreham Sailing Club offered the last chance to race before the Nationals, so a strong fleet of 33 boats turned up for a relaxed afternoon start.

Race 1 was lighter than expected, with 5kts from the west. Caroline Gould and Livvy Bell showed a speed advantage to escape on the first beat and lead comfortably throughout, behind them the rest of the top ten swapped places in a tight battle. Eventually Christian Birrell and Sam Brearey snuck into second, with Ben Saxton and Matt Rainback third.

Race 2 was similar, except the fleet had worked out there was slightly more wind down the left of the course. This gain was enough to make the race very simple, with leaders coming from the pin end and committing to the left. Ian and Chris Martin led at mark 1, followed by Saxton/Rainback and Will Warren with Charlotte Fildes. Saxton/Rainback got furthest left on the second beat to take the lead and win the race.

With the breeze dropping below 5kts and the famous Shoreham BBQ and egg throwing competition to come, the race officer felt two races was plenty for the day and sent the fleet ashore.

Merlin Rocket Craftinsure Silver Tiller round 6 at Shoreham - photo © Warwick Baker / www.warwickpics.com

Sunday the fleet was greeted by a variable northwesterly breeze between 5 and 10kts, with big bands of breeze rolling in from the sides of the course. Race 3 saw a big left shift on the first beat and a host of new faces in the top group at the windward mark with Alan Warren and Will Carroll leading. Saxton/Rainback moved through the lead group to win the race, with Birrell/Brearey making big gains to get back to second. Sophie Mackley and Chris Gould linked all the lifts to take third.

The breeze died and pulled around to the SW, making the conditions very difficult to set a course, with big swings each way. The fleet even had to stretch their legs in race 4 as the breeze and chop built. The pace was set by Ed Chapman and Faye Chatterton, loving the extra breeze. They were chased down by the dominant pair of Saxton/Rainback and Birrell/Brearey.

The breeze died right off and only excellent patience by the race team kept the fleet out for a fifth race, but the changeable conditions meant it was a tricky one. A black flag, pin bias start kept the fleet on edge, with the Martins winning the pin and tacking to cross. Birrell/Brearey misjudged it and crashed into the Martins transom, for their seventh spin of the weekend.

Given a little race practice and fewer collisions they could be dangerous at the Nationals. The breeze came left meaning the beat was very one-sided, so the Martins could extend and win the race, chased by Matthew Shorrock and Sean Anderson who narrowly lost second to Saxton/Rainback at the finish.

Ben Saxton and Matt Rainback, overall winners - Merlin Rocket Craftinsure Silver Tiller round 6 at Shoreham - photo © Warwick Baker / www.warwickpics.com

Overall Saxton/Rainback were dominant and took the win, followed by the slightly eventful Birrell/Brearey in second and the Martins in third. Gould/Bell were first ladies team in fourth with a very consistent series. Warren/Fildes won the gold fleet, Warren/Carroll won silver and Nigel and Freya Hudson won bronze as a consolation for losing their egg-throwing title.

Thanks to race officer Bill Whitney and all of the club volunteers for running yet another fantastic Shoreham open.

The next Craftinsire Silver Tiller is at Upper Thames Sailing Club on the 8th September, but before that the fleet is heading to Tenby for the Aspire Merlin Rocket National Championships - 11th to 16th August.

Livvy Bell and Caroline Gould, fourth overall - Merlin Rocket Craftinsure Silver Tiller round 6 at Shoreham - photo © Warwick Baker / www.warwickpics.com

Overall Results: