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Aspire Merlin Rocket National Championships 2023 at Brading Haven Yacht Club - Day 3

by Chris Gould 1 Aug 2023 14:54 PDT 31 July - 4 August 2023

Hark, fellow mariners and sailing enthusiasts, on this third day of the Aspire Merlin Rocket National Championships, hosted at the fair Brading Haven Yacht Club. The sun did rise upon the azure sea, as sailors readied their ships for another day of fierce contest.

The heavens did grant favourable winds, though at times shifty and uncertain, like the heart of a lover in spring. The building zephyrs did propel the noble vessels with grace, yet occasionally, they whispered deceitful promises of victory, capsize and breakage.

Amidst the rolling waves, the fleet of Merlin Rockets set forth, their sails unfurled, and their spirits undaunted. As the races commenced, a spectacle of prowess and skill unfolded upon the water's stage.

In the three races, fierce competitors such as Mike Partridge, sailing with Claire Davis jostled for position with John Turner and Richard Parslow and John and Ollie Meadowcroft, like knights vying for honour on a battlefield. Some ships soared on the wings of victory, notably Christian Birrell and Sam Brearey, gleefully banking three first places.

Others faltered, their hopes of success dashed with the cruellest of punishments, the dastardly black flag, a painful reminder for Jon Gorringe and Matt Currell that dreams can be forgotten just as quickly as false promises are broken.

James Wells and Anna Aylward's results rose and fell like the tides, their fate entwined with Neptune's favour, testing the mettle of their sailing skill, as they navigated through the capsizes and wobbly leeward marks.

And lo, in the final beat of the day, competitors were most comforted to see the finish at the top mark, allowing for a shorter sail back in as the sun began its descent, casting a golden hue upon the sailors, who were weary but resolute, displaying unyielding determination to pack their boats away as fast as possible knowing that the real glory of first to the barbecue lay within their grasp.

But the championship's tale remains unwritten, for it unfolds yet further in days to come. Tomorrow, the sun shall rise once more, and the sailors shall take to the seas again, in pursuit of honour and distinction.

Until then, let us raise a cup to those who sailed this day, and to the wonders of the ocean, where battles are waged, and destinies are decided with each gust of wind.

Thus, the third day of the Aspire Merlin Rocket National Championships at Brading Haven Yacht Club concludes, leaving us with anticipation and wonder for the morrow's tale to be told.

Thank you to our title sponsor Aspire Financial Services, our fleet sponsor WEST SYSTEMS, our golfing sponsor GK Engineering and the social trip to Cowes Week sponsor DinghyTec.

Results after day 3:

PosSail NoHelmCrewR1R2R3R4R5R6Pts
1st3788Christian BirrellSam Brearey1‑211115
2nd3759Thomas GillardRacheal Gray21233‑711
3rd3803Chris GouldDan Martin48425‑1823
4th3775Chris JenningsPete Nicholson65354‑823
5th3791Jon GorringeMatt Currell1265(BFD)2227
6th3814James GossChris White536‑1212531
7th3691Mike CalvertEmma Hivey10‑14767333
8th3719Ian MartinChris Martin848(BFD)9433
9th3820Caroline CroftFaye Chatterton117‑1346937
10th3787Chris MartinJohn Tailby7‑161478642
11th3807Tim SaxtonPete Matthews‑Dixon312913‑141047
12th3780Sarah RichardsNigel Wakefield‑1610128111152
13th3700Rob KennaughAndrew Prosser149‑1510101457
14th3666John MeadowcroftOliver Meadowcroft91510‑16161262
15th3746James WellsAnna Aylward1713119(RET)1969
16th3782Ed ChapmanHannah Peters13‑171717131373
17th3796William WarrenGeorge Bender1511‑2020151677
18th3817Geoff KimberHelen Kimber19‑201811171580
19th3745Paul DeanHannah Burt‑20191918191792
20th3696Alexander WarrenJonty Freeman181816(RET)18RET99
21st3600Mike PartridgeClaire Davis(DNC)DNCDNC152020113
22nd3816Phil EmeryPhoebe Paine212121(RET)DNCDNC121
23rd3821Gavin WillisChris Bishop(DNC)DNC2219RETDNC128
24th3809Jon TurnerRichard Parslow(DNC)DNCDNC14RETDNC130
25th3672John CooperPhil Scot(DNC)2223RETDNCDNC132
26th3794Julian HarmsTimothy Harms(DNC)DNCDNCL05DNCDNC142
27th3695Pete SlackImmy Brown(DNC)DNCDNCDNCDNCDNC145
27th3767Ben ArcherOlivia Bellini(DNC)DNCDNCDNCDNCDNC145

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