Merlin Rocket National Championship sponsored by Aspire at Tenby Sailing Club - Overall
by Megan, Clive, Matt and Ben 17 Aug 12:00 UTC
11-16 August 2024
From Frensham with love. Last day report from the Aspire Merlin Rocket National Championships in Tenby and what a week. We've had every weather under the sun. Thankfully we ended on sunshine which was a bonus, unlike Salcombe.
Wednesday night saw lots of tactical AP over A drinking which seemed to pay off. Thursday brought a mix of entertainment. The most important being the golf competition organised by Geoff and Helen Kimber. At the time of writing, it's a secret who won but they seemed to enjoy it. It is a tradition that everyone who can hack at a ball seems to enjoy. Onto today. Wind was forecasted to appear from the South West at 1pm and it was actually on time. We had a nice float out. Rick was showing us his lovely red fluffy Tenby crab in the boat park and the comment was you can't leave Tenby without crabs!
The race in the end was nice, with a discard coming in points and places were up for grabs. I'm afraid we didn't see much of the front end of the fleet. Matt and Ben Shorrock said it was play the shifts. The front 4 and 5 were quick. Even Ben Saxton managed to spin at the spreader mark and finished 2nd. Mike and Jane Calvert were having a great end to the week adding the Silent World trophy to their cabinet. The platinum leaders Christian Birrell and Sam Brearey were fighting hard as were Stuart Bithell and Tom Pygall. It came down to a single point in the end with Christian and Sam just taking it.
It is really impressive watching this generation sail. Taxi Davis and Ollie Meadowcroft took 3rd overall sailing a very consistent series. Alex Warren and Jonty Freeman did enough today to secure the gold fleet. Massive congratulations to Phil Emery and Phoebe Paine taking silver fleet with Phoebe dragging her grandad round. Bronze fleet was taken by Jon Steward and Christian Hill; a great pairing. Top prize for the day goes to Anna Aylward for jumping in for a swim on the way home but forgetting to warn James or the safety boat. Wooden spoon for James Wells unimpressive man-overboard drill.
Many thanks to the Denchfield's for a great race officering week. To Tenby sailing club you delivered again. I was always told Tenby was one to do and they weren't mistaken, although if you please firm-up the sand it would be appreciated. Very special thanks to Mark Barwell, Lou Johnson, Chris Martin and the entire Merlin family for organising and taking trolleys down to the water. Someone kept pulling the plug out leaving trolleys miles away. This event doesn't happen without sponsors so thank you to all especially In The Welsh Wind Gin for some great gin tasting yesterday and prizes.
Well done to Christian and Sam again. Frensham will sign off as we have dinner to eat and more importantly prize-giving to go to. See you at the next one.
The 2024 Merlin Rocket Nationals Championships were generously sponsored by Aspire Financial Advisers, Allspars, Becky Bettesworth, CF by L and L, In The Welsh Wind and GK Engineering.
Overall Results:
If you finished in the top ten at the Merlin Rocket nationals then enter your Gear Guide information here
| Pos | Sail No | Helm | Crew | Club | R1 Founders | R2 Beechers | R3 Clyde Quaich | R4 West Country | R5 Howard | R6 Winter Trophy | R7 Ranelagh Trophy | R8 Top_Hat Trophy | R10 Silent World | Pts |
|---|
| 1st | 3788 | Christian Birrell | Sam Brearey | Parkstone YC | 2 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 2 | ‑8 | 4 | ‑9 | 15 |
| 2nd | 3826 | Stuart Bithell | Tom Pygall | Parkstone YC | 1 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 1 | ‑7 | ‑11 | 3 | 16 |
| 3rd | 3824 | Andy Davis | Ollie Meadowcroft | South Staffs SC & UTSC | 3 | 2 | ‑8 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 6 | ‑8 | 22 |
| 4th | 3804 | Ben Saxton | Matt Rainback | RYA | (BFD) | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | ‑14 | 3 | 2 | 25 |
| 5th | 3691 | Mike Calvert | Jane Calvert | Axe YC | 8 | 7 | 13 | 11 | ‑43 | ‑25 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 43 |
| 6th | 3807 | Tim Saxton | Holly McArthur | Itchenor SC | 10 | 6 | 7 | 9 | ‑23 | RDG | 6 | ‑18 | 6 | 47 |
| 7th | 3809 | Arran Holman | Hayden Sewell | Hollowell | 5 | 12 | 1 | 5 | 6 | ‑13 | ‑13 | 7 | 13 | 49 |
| 8th | 3719 | Ian Martin | Chris Martin | Burghfield SC | 6 | 4 | 5 | 10 | ‑15 | 12 | ‑17 | 12 | 11 | 60 |
| 9th | 3791 | Jon Gorringe | Matt Currell | Parkstone YC | 4 | 11 | 14 | 6 | 5 | (DNC) | 16 | 10 | ‑22 | 66 |
| 10th | 3775 | Chris Jennings | Pete Nicholson | Brightlingsea SC | 9 | ‑21 | 9 | 8 | 8 | ‑21 | 5 | 19 | 14 | 72 |
| 11th | 3802 | Simon Potts | Emma Clarke | Burghfield SC | 12 | 8 | ‑19 | 14 | 7 | 19 | ‑29 | 1 | 15 | 76 |
| 12th | 3812 | Thomas Stewart | Rob Allen | Waldringfield SC | 7 | 19 | 23 | 7 | (RET) | 6 | 10 | (RET) | 12 | 84 |
| 13th | 3683 | Maddy Anderson | Tom Ballantine | Brightlingsea SC | 20 | ‑31 | ‑22 | 12 | 19 | 18 | 4 | 13 | 4 | 90 |
| 14th | 3814 | James Goss | Chris White | South Staffs SC | (RET) | (RET) | 24 | 15 | 9 | 11 | 9 | 20 | 7 | 95 |
| 15th | 3787 | Chris Martin | John Tailby | Bartley SC | ‑25 | 17 | 11 | 16 | 13 | 16 | ‑30 | 21 | 10 | 104 |
| 16th | 3782 | Ed Chapman | Faye Chatterton | Lymington Town SC | 14 | 9 | 6 | 22 | (DNC) | 10 | (DSQ) | 23 | 21 | 105 |
| 17th | 3801 | Matthew Biggs | Beka Jones | Bartley SC | 13 | 10 | 25 | ‑28 | (DNC) | 14 | 3 | 16 | AL5 | 109 |
| 18th | 3696 | Alexander Warren | Jonty Freeman | Shoreham SC | 16.5 | 16 | ‑20 | 13 | 20 | 15 | 11 | ‑24 | 18 | 109.5 |
| 19th | 3666 | John Meadowcroft | Rory Gifford | Upper Thames SC | 16.5 | 20 | 18 | 17 | ‑21 | 7 | 19 | ‑45 | 17 | 114.5 |
| 20th | 3757 | Tim Parsons | Andy Service | Lyme Regis SC | (BFD) | 15 | 12 | 21 | 18 | 22 | 20 | 8 | ‑32 | 116 |
| 21st | 3796 | William Warren | Charlotte Fildes | Shoreham SC | (BFD) | 13 | 31 | ‑42 | 12 | 9 | 18 | 9 | 26 | 118 |
| 22nd | 3793 | James Goodfellow | Rick Cornes | Netley SC | 11 | ‑38 | 10 | 23 | 10 | 24 | 34 | 15 | ‑47 | 127 |
| 23rd | 3727 | Mark Stockbridge | James Gifford | Upper Thames SC | 24 | 23 | (RET) | 24 | 16 | 20 | 15 | 14 | (UFD) | 136 |
| 24th | 3645 | Steve Hall | Alison Hall | Royal Corinthian YC | 22 | 24 | 21 | ‑26 | 14 | ‑26 | 23 | 17 | 16 | 137 |
| 25th | 3710 | Jon Ibbotson | Robert Stewart | Burghfield SC | 27 | 18 | 30 | 25 | ‑38 | 8 | ‑31 | 31 | 5 | 144 |
| 26th | 3751 | Rupert Henderson‑White | Mary Henderson‑White | Brightlingsea SC | 18 | 22 | 16 | 29 | (UFD) | 17 | 22 | ‑33 | 24 | 148 |
| 27th | 3724 | Ed Bradburn | Samuel Bailey | South Staffs SC | 21 | 26 | 17 | 18 | 11 | 36 | ‑38 | 22 | (AL5) | 151 |
| 28th | 3746 | James Wells | Anna Aylward | RYA | 15 | 25 | 15 | ‑27 | ‑42 | 27 | 26 | 27 | 19 | 154 |
| 29th | 3658 | Matthew Shorrock | Ben Shorrock | Frensham Pond SC | (RET) | 14 | 28 | 20 | (UFD) | 50 | 32 | 26 | 20 | 190 |
| 30th | 3756 | Sophie Mackley | George Bender | Shoreham SC | 28 | 30 | 32 | ‑37 | 22 | ‑45 | 21 | 37 | 31 | 201 |
| 31st | 3816 | Phil Emery | Phoebe Paine | Whitstable YC | 35 | 33 | 33 | 19 | ‑41 | 34 | ‑49 | 25 | 25 | 204 |
| 32nd | 3733 | Jamie Morgan | Oliver Davenport | Northampton SC | 19 | ‑45 | 26 | 30 | 36 | 35 | 24 | ‑48 | 43 | 213 |
| 33rd | 3747 | Clive Eplett | Megan Pascoe | Frensham Pond SC | (BFD) | 28 | ‑35 | 31 | 32 | 28 | 33 | 28 | 35 | 215 |
| 34th | 3781 | David Hall | Emilie Hood | Blackwater SC | 42 | 34 | ‑46 | ‑44 | 28 | 29 | 27 | 29 | 27 | 216 |
| 35th | 3815 | Mark Barwell | Louise Johnson | Lymington Town SC | 23 | ‑41 | 27 | 34 | 31 | 39 | 37 | ‑40 | 33 | 224 |
| 36th | 3711 | Sam Thompson | Leanne Thompson | RNSA | 34 | 27 | ‑51 | ‑46 | 40 | 31 | 28 | 39 | 29 | 228 |
| 37th | 3776 | Nick Craig | Kate Craig | Burghfield SC | 26 | 40 | (DNC) | (DNC) | DNC | 23 | 42 | 5 | 28 | 230 |
| 38th | 3749 | Colin Anderson | Sean Anderson | Bartley SC | 36 | ‑53 | 40 | 41 | 26 | 37 | 12 | 38 | (AL5) | 230 |
| 39th | 3731 | Andy Jones | Maddie Jones | Burghfield SC | 30 | 29 | 34 | 35 | 30 | ‑40 | 36 | 36 | (DNC) | 230 |
| 40th | 3770 | Jon Steward | Christian Hill | Fishers Green SC | 32 | ‑52 | 29 | 36 | 24 | ‑48 | 43 | 32 | 36 | 232 |
| 41st | 3806 | Ben Jones | Helen Hilditch | Shoreham SC | 33 | 32 | ‑53 | ‑48 | 25 | 33 | 41 | 46 | 45 | 255 |
| 42nd | 3779 | David Lee | Angela Bridges | Starcross YC | 31 | 35 | 36 | 33 | (DNC) | ‑43 | 40 | 43 | 38 | 256 |
| 43rd | 3662 | Nigel Hudson | Freya Hudson | Bartley SC | 39 | 50 | 39 | ‑53 | 35 | 41 | ‑52 | 35 | 37 | 276 |
| 44th | 3766 | Andrew Dalby | Aimee Dalby | Burghfield SC | 38 | 44 | 45 | 45 | 34 | ‑49 | 45 | 30 | ‑51 | 281 |
| 45th | 3813 | Steve Harling | Eleanor Thomas | Starcross YC | 41 | 36 | ‑54 | 51 | (DNC) | 32 | 35 | 47 | 40 | 282 |
| 46th | 3742 | Howard Eeles | Josh Oates | Bartley SC | 44 | 47 | ‑52 | 32 | 33 | 47 | 39 | ‑50 | 48 | 290 |
| 47th | 3547 | Tim Male | Rebecca Male | RYA | 43 | ‑55 | 41 | 39 | (DNC) | 51 | 44 | 44 | 30 | 292 |
| 48th | 3817 | Geoff Kimber | Helen Kimber | Stone SC | 29 | 51 | 42 | ‑54 | 27 | 42 | ‑54 | 52 | 52 | 295 |
| 49th | 3790 | Colin Brockbank | Sue brough | Wembley SC | 37 | 43 | 55 | 52 | 39 | 52 | 25 | ‑56 | (DNC) | 303 |
| 50th | 3786 | Phil Hardisty | Teddy Dunn | Isle of Man YC | (DNC) | (DNC) | DNC | DNC | 17 | 30 | 47 | 42 | 41 | 309 |
| 51st | 3794 | Julian Harms | Timothy Harms | Midland SC | 40 | 46 | 38 | 49 | (DNC) | 44 | 50 | ‑51 | AL5 | 314 |
| 52nd | 3825 | Storm Nuttall | Isobel Stewart | Salcombe YC | (BFD) | 49 | 43 | 50 | 44 | 38 | 46 | (BFD) | 50 | 320 |
| 53rd | 3695 | Peter Slack | Immy Brown | Trent Valley SC | 48 | 42 | AL5 | 55 | (DNC) | 46 | (DSQ) | 34 | 44 | 322 |
| 54th | 3821 | Gavin Willis | Bettine Harris | Bristol Corinthian YC | (BFD) | 39 | 47 | 38 | 29 | (RET) | DNC | 53 | DNC | 338 |
| 55th | 3720 | David Chisholm | Andy Prince | Royal Burnham YC | (BFD) | 37 | 37 | 43 | (DNC) | 54 | 56 | 49 | DNC | 342 |
| 56th | 3663 | Nicholas Yannakoyorgos | Matteo Mancini | Fishers Green SC | (BFD) | 56 | 49 | 56 | 37 | ‑58 | 48 | 57 | 49 | 352 |
| 57th | 3767 | Ben Archer | Olivia Bellini | Parkstone YC | (BFD) | 48 | 50 | 47 | (DNC) | UFD | 51 | 54 | 46 | 362 |
| 58th | 3740 | Pat Blake | Jilly Blake | Lymington Town SC | (DNC) | (DNC) | 44 | 40 | DNC | 53 | 53 | 41 | DNC | 363 |
| 59th | 3707 | Stuart Jenkins | Hannah Burt | Hampton Sailing Club | 46 | 54 | 56 | 57 | (RET) | 56 | 55 | 55 | (DNC) | 379 |
| 60th | 3690 | Guy Browne | Greg Martin | Trent Valley SC | 45 | 57 | (RET) | 59 | (DNC) | 55 | 57 | 60 | 53 | 386 |
| 61st | 3567 | Martin Smith | Karen Beston | Redditch SC | 47 | 58 | 58 | 60 | (DNC) | (DNC) | 60 | 58 | 56 | 397 |
| 62nd | 3582 | Florence Nicholls | Harvey Godel | Aldeburgh YC | (BFD) | 59 | 57 | 58 | (RET) | 57 | 59 | 59 | 54 | 403 |
| 63rd | 3449 | Carl Whitehill | Sam Whitehill | RYA | 49 | 60 | (DNC) | (DNC) | DNC | 59 | 58 | DNC | 55 | 413 |
| 64th | 3528 | Richard Owens Taff | Stu Southan | Pembrokeshire Powerboating and Sailing A | (RET) | (DNC) | DNC | DNC | RET | 60 | 61 | 61 | 57 | 437 |
| 65th | 3800 | Richard Bramley | Tony Cheal | Shoreham SC | (DNC) | (DNC) | DNC | DNC | DNC | DNC | DNC | DNC | DNC | 462 |
