Merlin Rocket National Championship sponsored by Aspire at Tenby Sailing Club - Day 2

What a difference a day makes: Tenby delivers in epic fashion champagne conditions for Day two of the Merlin Rocket National Championships sponsored by Aspire Financial advisors; a view from the bronze fleet battleground.

A broken night's sleep due a passing thunderstorm got team Fishers Green dashing out in the middle of the night to retrieve sailing kit from the garden. Sailors woke to an overcast grey sky, with the Crew's Union safely navigated brilliantly hosted by Freya and Jonty, it was time once again to take on the country's finest merlin sailors. The grey skies soon cleared and beautiful steady force 4 arrived, a special thank to Ben Saxton/Matt Rainback giving up their time to give an enlightening chat to the fleet before racing, a real eye opener to this bronze fleet sailor to how much effort goes into getting to the front. The fleet launched for the glorious mile long broad 3 sailer to the start line, the sail out was worth the entry fee alone.

Merlin Rocket Nationals at Tenby Day 2 - photo © Alistair Mackay

2 races scheduled for the day with the tide pushing the fleet over the line would have put the ever eager merlin fleet to repeat the black lag carnage of day one, amazingly both races got away cleanly possibly a 1st for the merlin fleet.

I will apologise for lack of detail and facts on what happened at the sharp end, from where your reporter is in the fleet it's hard to see the front, but I can imagine it's a place full of lifting tacks, manageable chop, beautiful sunshine and unicorns.

Merlin Rocket Nationals at Tenby Day 2 - photo © Alistair Mackay

Race 1: those who chose the pin end and the left side came up trumps, Arran Holman/Hayden Sewell 3809 rounded 1st and held the lead to the finish, for the 3rd different winner of the week. 2nd Stu Bithell/Tom Pygall, 3rd Christian Birrell/Sam Brearey 3788.

Even in the bronze fleet you need to be on your game, as a missed shift or a missed timed wave costs you places, highlighting the immense standard and depth throughout the merlin fleet. Those adorning fleet leader bibs now had targets on their backs for bronze fleet to claim some scalps.

Merlin Rocket Nationals at Tenby Day 2 - photo © Alistair Mackay

A quick turn around and the fleet set about race 2.

Leading the charge for race 4 top honour Stu Bithell/Tom Pygall 3826, closely chased by Andy Davis/Ollie Meadocroft 3824, this appeared to be a two horse race, from where I was watching, that is until I got home and checked the updated results to see Christian Birrell/Sam Brearey 3788 came through to take the victory.

Merlin Rocket Nationals at Tenby Day 2 - photo © Alistair Mackay

Christian Birrell/Sam Brearey lead the nationals putting together an impressive scorecard not yet finishing outside the top 3.

Keeping hold of the gold jerseys for tomorrow gold fleet leaders Alex Warren/Jonty Freeman 3696 being chased by Maddie Anderson/Tom Ballantine 3683. A change at the top of the sliver fleet is Phil Emery/Phoebe Paine 3816 followed by yesterday's leaders Andy and Maddie Jones. While the bronze fleet is being led by Jon Steward/Christian Hill 3770, while waiting in the wings for any slip ups, is Howard Eeles/Josh Oates 3742.

Merlin Rocket Nationals at Tenby Day 2 - photo © Alistair Mackay

All in all, a great day all round, basking in the south Wales sunshine while flying around the Tenby harbour, what is there not to love. Great race management finishing the fleet at the windward mark to give us a pleasant sail much closer to home after a magnificent day. Teams helping each other up beach, tales of heroics or mishaps while getting suitably refreshed on Tenby finest ale.

A Huge thank you to our sponsors Aspire Financial Advisers, Allspars, Becky Bettesworth, CF by L and L, In The Welsh Wind and GK Engineering.

Bring on the rest of the week.

Results after Day 2: