Merlin Rocket Open at Sutton-in-Ashfield Sailing Club
by Steve Watson 26 Oct 2004 04:47 PDT
17 October 2004
Fifteen entries for the last race of the 2004 Midland Circuit was an excellent turnout for the Merlins.
The wind was good, the courses; a cats cradle, and the competition was stiff. Richard Dee and Chris Martin set the pace from the outset, followed by Matt Biggs and Davy Crockett. Steve Watson, recovering invalid, held third in front of Steve and Gill Leney for half the race before letting them slip by. Dee stretched the lead but the fickle winds of the Sutton TT (Testing Tempers) allowed Biggs to close up right on the last leg but Dee prevailed to take the gun.
The second race started in similar fashion with the three contenders out there in front after Dave Fowler initially showed the way round the first mark. Dee ran away in front but disaster struck as the spinnaker recovery patch came away leaving them bereft of their third sail for most of the race. But the Temper Tantrum of Martin galvanised them forward and they romped away in front to take The Title leaving the Leneys Trying Tremendously and Biggs Trailing Third. (New MR rule next year: no spinnaker, Dee shows its faster!)
Richard Dee has been competing in the Midland Circuit for around thirty years. It is his first Circuit win and he won it at his original Club. Well done after Thirty Tries!
Overall Results:
1st 3442 Richard Dee and Chris Martin;
2nd 3639 Steve Leney and Gill Leney;
3rd 3617 Matt Biggs and Davy Crockett.