Merlin Rocket Silver Tiller Extension at Lymington Town Sailing Club
by Becci Wigley & Lou Johnson 4 Dec 2018 02:52 PST
2 December 2018
Dave and Vicky Lenz win the Merlin Rocket Silver Tiller Extension at Lymington © Lou Johnson
Sunday 2nd December saw the Merin Rocket Lymington Silver Tiller Extension, one race where the winner takes all for the glassware from the cancelled class event back in October due to lack of wind.
The conditions could not have been more different with 25 plus knots greeting the nine keen crews on Sunday morning. The club race saw three boats depart from the race course early, leaving six boats in contention for the inaugural Silver Tiller Extension! Class newbies David and Vicki Lenz racing Peer Pressure, newlyweds (but pros in a breeze) Tim and Lucy Harridge sailing The General Lee, John Cooper and Becci Wigley who joined the fleet two years ago and are getting to grips with 2 Planks, RS200 National Champion crew Rob Henderson sailing Wild at Heart with James Ellis, Ben Green and Alex Ogilvie flew the wooden boat flag with The Dream Machine, and Nick Simmons brought in Dan 'the lever' Martin in Smokey. All was to play for.
Following the club race, fortunately, the tide had turned, and the waves decreased significantly for the most important race for these crews. The weather gods continued to work their magic and the race was finally under way in winds gusting up to 26 knots, under the watchful eye of race officer Nigel Walbank, who kindly offered to stay out to put on this additional race. Thank you, Nigel and your team!
Unfortunately, not all the Merlins had realised how strong the tide was now coming in and The General Lee hit the pin end of the line which resulted in a quick 360 and left them chasing the pack. At the first windward mark of the course it was a packed rounding for three boats. Peer Pressure popped round first coming in on port followed by Wild at Heart and Smokey.
Spinnaker hoists were fast and furious, however for some a little too quick! Wild at Heart and Smokey went for an early swim allowing the red spinnaker of 2 Planks to ease into second followed by The General Lee. Positions in the race stayed the same for the rest of the race. The General Lee fought right to the end, holding their kite most of the way up the river to the finish trying to seek past 2 Planks but to no avail.
A small prizegiving was held in the LTSC Solent Room.
Top three:
1st 3778 Peer Pressure: Dave and Vicky Lenz
2nd 3732 2 Planks: John Cooper and Becci Wigley
3rd 3690 The General Lee: Tim and Lucy Harridge
The Lymington Merlin Rocket fleet has grown steadily and now sees 14 boats at LTSC.