Please select your home edition
Edition

Seldén Sailjuice Winter Series: Gould and Mackley's Merlin wins at Grafham

by Andy Rice 31 Dec 2024 17:29 UTC 29 December 2024

Chris Gould and Sophie Mackley raced their Merlin Rocket to overall victory at last Sunday's Gill Grafham Grand Prix near Huntingdon. This was the third event to be completed of this season's Seldén Sailjuice Winter Series, and the 42nd edition of this event, sponsored by Gill, attracted 130 boats of different shapes, sizes and speeds to Grafham Water Sailing Club.

While the fleet was distributed across three race areas for Fast, Medium and Slow Handicap, Simon Lovesey of Sailracer ran the performance analysis across the three race tracks to see who would come out on top in a combined ranking. Competing in the 46-boat Medium Fleet, Gould and Mackley sailed their Merlin very consistently in the light to medium airs of a fairly mild afternoon on Grafham Water.

Winning the first two races in Medium and discarding a fourth in the last race of the session, the Merlin Rocket came out on top overall ahead of two well-sailed catamarans in Fast Handicap who were tied for points. William and Megan Smith's Formula 18 won the tiebreak to take second overall ahead of Christian Mash helming a singlehanded Spitfire.

Just a point behind the multihulls and taking fourth overall were past winners of the Seldén Sailjuice Winter Series, Tom Gillard and Rach Gray in a Scorpion. HIgher up the size range, Andrew Wilde and Jon Swain hiked their VXOne sportsboat to fifth overall ahead of top finisher from the Slow Fleet, Ewan Birkin-Walls steering a Solo.

Ten out of Ten!

The combined results from the three fleets produced incredible diversity at the top of the leaderboard, with 10 different classes - a range of multihulls, skiffs, sportsboats and conventional dinghies - occupying the top 10 places overall.

Simon Lovesey explained the methodology behind the combined ranking: "We used the GPS tracking data to produce a combined set of results across three race tracks. It's a time-on-distance calculation using performance data from each race course to derive a course handicap.

"So we factor in different course lengths and the fact that each may be faster/slower if you had boats from the same class on each, ie we effectively handicap each course based on the GPS performance data as well as each class."

Here is a more detailed report of each of the three race tracks by John Aston, principal race officer for the Gill Grafham Grand Prix.

3-Track Race Report from John Aston

Overall entry, at 130, was only slightly down on last year's figure of 136; numbers being boosted by some late entries. The entry included some 39 boats from the home club. As usual racing was split over three fleets: Fast (25), Medium (46), and Slow (59), taking full advantage of Grafham Water's 1600 acres. Format was three back-to-back handicap races.

Competitors arriving bright and early for an 1100 start were greeted by a mist covered lake and a faint zephyr breeze. However over the morning the mist lifted, the wind built to a gentle 8 to 10 knots, and the sun came out: ideal sailing conditions for this time of year.

Mash Spitfires to the top of Fast Fleet

The Fast Fleet sailed an upwind downwind course at the West end of the Lake, taking full advantage of the wide expanse of open water with beats of around 1km. The fleet contained a wide range of multi-hulls and asymmetric monohulls, including a VX One and a Norfolk Punt. Winner of the first race was Christian Mash in his single-handed Spitfire, followed by the VXOne of Andrew Wilde and Jon Swann.

Christian Mash was also the winner of the second race, followed by fellow Grafham Water entrants, brother and sister team Will and Megan Smith, in their F18. In the third race Will and Megan finally came out winners; they were the leading boat in all three races but fell back on handicap adjustment in the first two. Christian's two first places made him the overall winner, with Will and Megan in second (a one two for the home club) and Andrew and Jon third in the VX One.

Merlin Makes Hay in the Middle

The Medium Fleet sailed in the middle of the Lake offering great views to spectators watching from the top floor of the Clubhouse. Good discipline from the fleet (no general recalls and only 1 BFD all day) and slick race management ensured the schedule of three races was completed with no real delays, and all boats were finished by 1330. The fleet contained a wide range of single and double handers with a good number of "traditional" classes: 5 Fireballs, 5 Flying Fifteens and 6 Merlin Rockets.

In the first race, Chris Gould and Sophie Mackley from Shoreham in their Merlin Rocket came out winners, from Tom Gillard and Rach Gray in their Scorpion with Peter Gray and Richard Pepperdine in third place in a Fireball. The first two places were the same in Race 2, with Caroline Gould and Livvy Bell third in another Merlin Rocket. In Race 3 Tom Gillard and Rach Gray finally took a first place, followed by Roger and Iain Blake in an Osprey and Jamie Mawson third in an RS600.

Overall double handers took all of the prizes (down to 7th). Chris Gould and Sophie Mackley were the winners, followed by Tom Gillard and Rach Gray, with Roger and Iain Blake in third place.

Borrett Streaks to Slow Victory

In the Slow Fleet there was a strong contingent of ILCAs (7s and 6s) with a comprehensive mix of other classes. Toppers entered for the first time and there were 7 in total, six from the Grafham Topper Academy and one visitor. Racing was at the East end of the Lake, near the dam. Racing was close with different winners in each race. In Race 1, Ewin Birkin-Walls from Grafham Water came out the winner, followed by Sam Watson and Charlie Cotter in a GP14, with Dave Borrett from Beaver SC third in his Streaker.

Dave Borrett came out the winner in Race 2 with another GP14, sailed by Jasper and Fergus Barnham from Snettisham Beach, second and Sam and Charlie third. Race 3 was won by Oliver Davenport in his OK, with Ben Flower second in an ILCA7 and Matthew Wolstenholme and Mike Warwicker third in a Snipe. Overall, the podium read Dave Borrett first (Streaker), Sam Watson and Charlie Cotter second (GP14) and Oliver Davenport third (OK). Toby Hailey from the Graham Topper Academy was first placed Topper.

Thanks to the Race Officers Dave Williams (Medium), Eric Joyce (Fast), and Nigel Denchfield (Slow) for laying on some excellent racing, and also to the many others helping, both volunteers and staff (over 40 in total), without whom this event would not be possible.

Top 3 and other results from 42nd Gill Grafham Grand Prix:

Final Podium

1st Merlin Rocket, Chris Gould and Sophie Mackley
2nd Formula 18, William and Megan Smith
3rd Spitfire - Singlehanded, Christian Mash

Full results of combined overall rankings from Grafham here

Fastest (sustained speed over 20 seconds)
A Class Foiling Julian Bosch (15.8 kts)

Corrected Speed against handicap
John Tailby & Chloe Willars, RS400

CFbyLandL Youth Rankings £75 voucher
Freddie Sunderland ILCA 6

Zhik Old Boats
Paul Young & Oliver Mason (Enterprise built in 2000)

Fleet Results:

Simon Horsfield Coaching sponsored by GJW Direct Insurance

Three-time winner of the Seldén Sailjuice Winter Series, Simon Horsfield, was watching the action at Grafham and will be running a debrief this Thursday, 2 January, at 20:00 hours. Simon will be looking back at the winning moves from last weekend and previewing the coming weekend's action at Draycote Water.

WhatsApp Group
chat.whatsapp.com/KFlRWkTrhxpDMkqcJbanWR

GJW Direct sponsored Coaching Debrief by sailing coach and multiple champion Simon Horsfield
www.facebook.com/SeldenSailJuiceWinterSeries/videos

Zhik Old Boats

Thanks to the Zhik 'Old Boats' scheme, there's a growing number of old boats competing in this year's Series. The Robline Polar Chase saw a 30-year old Enterprise recently purchased for £1,500, finished up in 14th overall from a packed entry of 86 boats, proving you don't need a new boat to succeed. There will be prizes across each event and an overall rankings presented at the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show. If your boat is 20 years or older you are eligible. Please email with your boat details and you can get on the list.

More than 100 for the Fernhurst Books Draycote Dash

Early into the new year and the racing continues with the rescheduled Fernhurst Books Draycote Dash this weekend, 4 & 5 January 2025, with 117 boats entered for what looks set to be the start of a big chill for the early new year. Following a week later is the GJW Direct Bloody Mary on Saturday, 11 January.

Enter at www.sailjuiceseries.com

The Events

The following events are in the Seldén SailJuice Winter Series 2024/25:

  • Sailing Chandlery Datchet Flyer, Datchet Water Sailing Club - 7 & 8 December 2024
  • Polar Chase, Chase Sailing Club - 14 December 2024
  • Yorkshire Dales Brass Monkey, Yorkshire Dales Sailing Club - 27 December 2024
  • Gill Grafham Grand Prix, Grafham Water Sailing Club - 29 December 2024
  • Fernhurst Books Draycote Dash, Draycote Water Sailing Club - 4-5 January 2025 [re-scheduled from November 2024]
  • GJW Direct Bloody Mary, Queen Mary Sailing Club - 11 January 2025
  • King George Gallop, King George Sailing Club - 18 January 2025
  • John Merricks Tiger Trophy, Rutland Sailing Club - 1 & 2 February 2025
  • Zhik Oxford Blue, Oxford Sailing Club - 15 February 2025
  • Prizegiving at RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show, Farnborough - 22 February 2025

You can find out more about the Series at www.sailjuiceseries.com

Related Articles

Marine Auctions: June online auctions
Bidding to open on Friday 20th June The Bidding for the June Online Auction will commence on Thursday 20th June and will end on Thursday 26th June at 2pm AEST. Posted on 7 Jun
Bulwarks and Bulldust – watch Episode Five
Episode Five - Shane Subichin, The Boat Works - is now up and running Watch along as we speak with Shane Subichin, GM at The Boat Works about his life from tinnies on Sydney Harbour to leading the team at the premier refit and maintenance yard on the Gold Coast. Posted on 6 Jun
New Formula 360 Crossover Bowrider
An exciting new generation of Formula dayboats has arrived An exciting new generation of Formula dayboats has arrived with the upcoming debut of the all-new Formula 360 Crossover Bowrider. Posted on 5 Jun
Michael Rybovich & Sons construction updates
Progress on hulls from 84', 62' down to 42' New construction updates of 70' S/F Hull # 9, 42' S/F hull #10, 75' S/F hull #11, 84' S/F - Hull # 12. Posted on 5 Jun
A very clear video for overhead casting
Stop fly casting 10-2 and start using this method for longer casts Lyall and Nathan have spoken to me often of how to advance beyond the clock face 10-2 using the terms translation before rotation. Posted on 4 Jun
Valhalla 55 Sport Yacht - Ready to ride
Making her highly anticipated debut in Atlantic City The Valhalla 55 Sport Yacht makes her highly anticipated debut in Atlantic City, New Jersey – and it's more than a new model. Posted on 4 Jun
NOAA reduces Atlantic bluefin tuna retention limit
The adjusted limits will take effect June 3, 2025 and extend through December 31, 2025 On May 29, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced adjustments to the Atlantic bluefin tuna daily retention limits for recreational anglers. Posted on 3 Jun
Delegation urges state control of red snapper
Expressing "strong support for a state-led framework to ensure science-based stewardship" South Carolina's congressional delegation, led by Congressman Russell Fry and joined by U.S. Senators, formally urged U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to transfer management of the South Atlantic snapper-grouper fishery to the states. Posted on 2 Jun
Bayliss Boatworks new construction updates
Big Deal's final touches are coming together beautifully Gearing up for her christening later this month, Big Deal's final touches are coming together beautifully. Posted on 2 Jun
Bulwarks and Bulldust – watch Episode Four
Episode Four - Mark Elkington, The Yacht Sales Co. - is now up and running Watch along as we speak with Mark Elkington from The Yacht Sales Co. about his transition from a West Australian crayfisherman to a global sales and support organisation par excellence. Posted on 30 May