Please select your home edition
Edition

Merlin Rocket Downriver race at Ranelagh Sailing Club

by Alex Jackson 24 Oct 2023 18:20 UTC

As part of the final event of the Thames, Vintage and Classic series sponsored by Craftinsure, Ranelagh Sailing Club hosted the Merlin Rocket class for this incredible race Downriver.

Along with Salcombe Week, this has to be on everyone's bucket list of must-do events. Starting from Putney embankment the course is set to take advantage of the falling tide, racing down river past some of London's most iconic landmarks. Once the tide reaches its lowest ebb, a buoy is dropped at the opportune moment with the then increasing flood helping the fleet on their return leg to Putney.

Heavy rainfall in the days leading up to the race resulted in a serious amount of river flow, fearing for being caught OCS and having to beat back up against the tide, the fleet opted for a Le Mans style start line, holding station on the bank of the river as the clock ran down to the 1 minute gun.

The braver amongst us launched in sufficient time to position themselves in the middle of the stream while desperately battling to stay behind the line. As the gun fired it was Duncan Salmon & Ruth Hanstater and Chris & Pip Kilsby who got the jump on the fleet, both reaching Putney Bridge before many of the fleet had even crossed the start line.

Kites were hoisted soon after Wandsworth Bridge as the river meandered Northward to take advantage of the SW breeze. Brother and Sister, Andy Harris & Sara Warren soon joined the front duo and the three proceeded to break away. Meanwhile the chasing back had condensed with circa a dozen boats all hoping for a zephyr to break away and join the lead group. Each boat had it's turn but it wasn't until Battersea Bridge that any opportunities presented themselves.

With the river turning hard right, those boats on the outside suddenly found themselves falling out of pressure, while those on the inside of the bend held the wind and benefitted from a shorter distance to sail. Main beneficiaries were Rob & Hattie Cage, John & Olivia Bell and Jack Norton & Matt Currell. The main losers were Chris and Pip who were cruelly spat out the back and Andy and Sara who fell into the peloton.

Turning around the leeward mark Rob and Hattie found some clear air and quickly established a small lead, no doubt enjoying the relative calm of choosing where to sail. Back in the pack the main movers were Alex Jackson & Anna Aylward and John & Olivia Bell. The breeze had built slightly with both helm and crew now hiking out. In these conditions both teams had the edge on the lead pack and were able to slowly but consistently eat away at the lead.

In the final 20 minutes of the race the breeze all but died, opening the door for Andy and Sara sailing the beautifully restored Crescendo, an early Holt designed banana boat, 14 foot long but with the front foot nowhere near the water, Andy ensured the rear foot remained in contact. Tacking with ease and gliding along across the glassy waters, eroded any lead the front three boats now had.

As they approached the final obstacle of Putney Bridge Rob & Hattie held a 3-boat length lead to Andy & Sara with Alex & Anna a further few boat lengths in arrears. With little to lose Alex & Anna rolled the dice, heading away from the favoured leeward shoreline and toward the middle arch of the bridge. Rob & Hattie sadly covered the wrong boat, allowing Andy & Sara a clear lane to the finish line and win.

Odds on they would have taken the win regardless and certainly deserved to finish on top, adding to an impressive score line of four firsts in the Thames Series. John & Olivia and Oli Houseman & Egle Tumosa made a late charge storming up to the back of Alex & Anna in their own personal gust, however, they each ran out of racetrack finishing fourth and fifth respectively.

A huge thank you to all those involved in the organisation and to all those Merlin sailors in the SW/London, make sure to put this event in your diary for 2024.

Overall Results:

PosSail NoHelmCrewClubPts
1st607Harris, AndyWarren, SaraTamesis51
2nd1692Cage, RobCage, HattieTamesis49
3rd1493Jackson, AlexAylward, AnnaShoreham SC48
4th1201Bell, JohnBell, OliviaHampton SC47
5th3560Houseman, OliverTumosa, EgleChew Valley Lake SC46
6th1996Kilsby, ChrisKilsby, PippaUpper Thames SC45
7th3709Norton, JackCurrel, MattRSC44
8th3702Salmon, DuncanHanstater, RuthWembley SC43
8th3815Barwell, MarkJohnson, LouiseLymington SC43
10th1Gifford, FranMackley, SophieRSC41
11th3684Low, TomLow, EdRSC40
12th1695Heath, JohnScaddan, NicolaHampton SC39
13th3707Jenkins, StuartHollands, JohnHampton SC38
14th3511Mills, AndrewMills, EllieHampton SC37
15th3506Webb, GrahamWebb, MaryFishers Green SC36
16th1939Impey, PeterCooper, AlisonTamesis SC35
17th214Meloni, MarcoPounsford, AmeriaRSC34
18th2979Bange, JohnHamilton, AlexRSC33
19th3510Khan, AdilBaig, RehanRSC32

Related Articles

Merlin Rocket Allen SE Series at Brightlingsea
It's not true that reaches only spread out the fleet and do not result in place changes 16 Merlin Rockets came from north, south and west to join six home boats for the Brightlingsea Open Meeting, almost at the eastern extremity of Essex. Conditions were even better than last year with a good Force 3 to 5 for all the races. Posted on 4 Jun
Merlin Rocket River Championships at Upper Thames
Ollie Meadowcroft and Alex Pausey win at Bourne End Week With a breezy forecast for the three day event held over the Bank Holiday weekend fourteen boats entered the Merlin River Champs, held as part of Bourne End Week. Posted on 29 May
Merlin Rocket HD Sails Midland Series at Midland
In retrospect a strange experience to have on one's day off Fifteen boats ventured out to Midland Sailing Club to sail in conditions only those with sufficient mettle can tolerate on Sunday 18th May. Posted on 27 May
Merlin Thames Series at Tamesis
Andy Harris and Lyra Wade take Sondown Cup and Elizabeth Bowl Sunday May 18th was the Thames Series Merlin Rocket Open sponsored by Craftinsure for all ages of boat competing for the Sondown Cup (for the overall result) and the Elizabeth Bowl (for the first vintage boat in the last race). Posted on 23 May
Merlin Vintage Series at Tamesis
An unusual concern for the race team was the juvenile grey seal hogging the ramp A beautiful day, Saturday 17th May, met the eight entrants for the Merlin Rocket Vintage Series open sponsored by Craftinsure at Tamesis, battling for the Southcott and Porteous Cups (Southcott for the overall, Porteous for the winner of the last race). Posted on 19 May
Merlin Rocket South East series at Fishers Green
Nestled in the heart of nature, yet only 10 minutes from the M25 Nestled in the heart of nature, yet only 10 minutes from the M25, Fishers Green Sailing Club is an oasis of calm waters with beautiful tree lined surroundings and provided the perfect backdrop for some crazy, shifty and intense racing. Posted on 16 May
Merlin Rocket Midland Circuit at Burton
Plenty of suncream was applied and we went to work - it's a hard life Sunday was a fantastic day for sailing and nothing could compare. The Merlin Rockets were greeted by the usual Burton hospitality led by Ian Merryfield and his crew for the HD Sails Midland Circuit event. Posted on 14 May
Vintage Merlin Rockets at Fishers Green
Wall-to-wall sunshine and an moderate easterly sets the stage With wall-to-wall sunshine and a F3-4 blowing due east the stage was set for a day of excellent racing. However, while a due east wind normally gives a great sail at the Green, the shifts were to characterise the event. Posted on 13 May
Merlin Rockets at Minima
Double-header part 2 showcases the other face of river sailing While TSC was one for the locals and anyone who loves trying to predict how essentially zero wind will react while vaulting a concrete embankment, Minima YC was home to a sporty Northerly which was prone to gusting fresh to even fresher. Posted on 7 May
Merlin Rockets at Thames SC
A fine lunch, well-earned refreshments and homemade cake On Saturday 3rd May Thames Sailing Club hosted the Craftinsure sponsored combined Merlin Rocket Thames and DeMay Vintage Series Open Meeting, under clear skies and perfect sunglasses weather. Posted on 6 May