John Merricks Tiger Trophy at Rutland Sailing Club

by Dave Wilkins & Andy Rice 4 Feb 2019 11:07 PST 2-3 February 2019

Jess Lavery and Ian Walker in the John Merricks Tiger Trophy 2019 © Tim Olin / www.olinphoto.co.uk

Round six of the Selden SailJuice Winter Series, the John Merricks Tiger Trophy, attracted 118 boats to the start line despite the horrendous wind chill factor. Old boys Neil Marsden and Jonny McGovern showed the nippers how to race a 420 at warp speed...

Neil Marsden and Jonny McGovern turned in a barnstorming performance to plane their 420 to victory at the John Merricks Tiger Trophy last weekend at Rutland Water. The sixth event in the Seldén SailJuice Winter Series was the toughest yet, with a severe wind chill for three strong-wind back-to-back handicap races on Saturday, followed by a gentler breeze for the pursuit race on Sunday.

There were 137 entries at the Tiger this year. Because of the severe weather down South there were 19 that could not make it North to Rutland, so it was a fleet of 118 that made it to the start line, with 48 classes representing 78 different sailing clubs around the country.

Saturday brought an icy wind of 15-20 knots from the north. Air temperature was only just above zero, and a lot colder with wind chill factored into the mix. The 420 of Neil Marsden and Jonny McGovern fought it out for the top places with the Fireball of Ian Dobson and Richard Wagstaff in all three of Saturday's races. Arran Holman and Pablo Garcia in their 420 split them in race 2 where they took the win. A very strong performance from the 2000 of Simon Horsfield and Katie Burridge in all three races with 2, 5, 6 kept them in the hunt prior to the pursuit race.

Simon Horsfield and Katie Burridge in the John Merricks Tiger Trophy 2019 - photo © Tim Olin / www.olinphoto.co.uk

Sunday dawned still very cold and not much wind. However the breeze perked up to about 10 knots and the sun was out for the start of the pursuit race. The temperature was still only just above zero and sailors were seen trying to thaw out their sheets and control lines. The race started on time at 11.00, using the specially designed digital count up clock which helped to avoid any confusion among the competitors about when their start should be.

The leading boats off were the Feva and 2.4mR followed by Laser 4.7s. The two largest fleets, 420s and Fireballs, both had tight starts. The wind was fairly steady around 8-10 knots around the course throughout the race, which made it hard for the flying machines, Moths and A-Class cats, to make any inroads having to first unlap themselves from the leading boats as they started.

The real progress was being made by the 2000 of Simon Horsfield/Katie Burridge and Steve & Ben Tylecote. Despite the light winds, the 420s were making good progress led by Neil Marsden/Jonny McGovern, Aaran Holman/Pablo Garcia and Eleanor Keers/Faye Chatterton. The 2000s maintained their position to finish first and second. The three 420s finished third, fourth and fifth. The "fast boats" just ran out of time but made valiant efforts to catch the leading boats in the light winds. The RS400 of Sam & John Knight, the RS800 of James Plenty/Eddie Grayson and 505 of Tom Gillard/Geoff Edwards N18 of Peter Gray and crew, and RS400 of Mike Simms/Jack Holden were catching up fast and made up sixth to tenth in the race.

The Fireballs really suffered in the winds with Ian Dobson being highest Fireball finisher in 28th place.

John Merricks Tiger Trophy 2019 - photo © Tim Olin / www.olinphoto.co.uk

Neil Marsden and Jonny McGovern in their 420 were deserved winners, finishing in the top three in all four races. Simon Horsfield & Katie Burridge were a strong finisher in all races too, finishing 2nd overall. Aaron Holman/Pablo Garcia in their 420 were also very consistent in all races finishing 3rd overall. Special mention must go to ten-year-old Harry George in his 420 crewed by his dad who finished 27th overall, and eighth 420 out of a fleet of 23.

Jess Lavery was crewed by Ian Walker in the very same 470 that Ian crewed to an Olympic silver medal in 1996 with his old sailing partner and good friend John Merricks, in whose honour the Tiger Trophy is held. They finished a creditable 16th in the 470 with Ian still screwing on fittings just before the first race start.

Ian commented: "It was great fun to sail with Jess but I was shocked how hard I found something that was second nature 20 years ago. The boom seemed a lot lower than I remember! The racing was superb and we always had lots of private battles going on around the race course particularly with a Merlin Rocket in the pursuit race. Saturday was very cold with gusty Northerly winds and I take my hat off to everyone who stuck at it and sailed all three races. I am delighted that Jonny and my old 1996 Olympic 470 and its original sails, foils and spars all held together despite a few ropes snapping (like Jess's toe straps!). It is 20 years since it last sailed. I will admit to more than a few aches and pains on Monday morning. A brilliantly organised event that will have raised a large sum of money the John Merricks Sailing Trust to help support youth sailing. It's also great to see that the winning crew, Jonny McGovern was a JMST award recipient in 2002 when the JMST helped him and [Olympic silver medallist in the 470] Stu Bithell to buy a 420."

Principal race officer David Wilkins was also delighted with the evening meal held in John Merricks' honour. "The Tiger dinner was a great social occasion with over 120 diners enjoying the 'John Merricks favourite meal' and a great talk from Ian Walker. He talked about the history of the Tiger Trophy, told a few stories about their successful partnership, including the last race of the 1996 Olympic Games. Ian explained the work of the JMST and his new RYA role and GBR's Olympic prospects for Tokyo 2020." This was followed by the auction of many goodies provided by Ian, Ben Ainslie, JMST Trust and Selden masts (and others). This raised close to £2000 for the JMST.

John Merricks Tiger Trophy 2019 - photo © Tim Olin / www.olinphoto.co.uk

It was great that John's dad and family were able to make the prizegiving and Denis made a thank you speech on behalf of John and the JMST.

Thanks were given to:

Ian Walker and Suzy Hamel from JMST who organised the auction prizes, and Ian for sailing and a great talk at the dinner.
It was supposedly Dick and Vicky Sanders last Tiger Trophy having been involved in organising all 25 previous Tiger Trophies.
to all the competitors who travelled in the cold conditions.
to all the volunteers who gave up their weekend to help run the event (race teams, safety team, shore teams.
And to all the staff at RSC for their support and Catering staff for keeping everyone fed and watered and providing the Tiger dinner.

With SailRacer providing GPS tracking for the first time at the Tiger Trophy, this event also served as a qualifier for the Great British Sailing Challenge which culminates with a Grand Final at Rutland Water in late September.

Simon Horsfield and Burridge (2000 - ASA) jump to the top of the Selden SailJuice Winter Series Rankings, with eight sailors still able to make it to the podium as we go into the final round, the Oxford Blue which takes place on 16 February and usually fills out to its 150-boat capacity. Enter here while you can: www.sailjuiceseries.com

Phoebe Hutchings and Emmy Walker in the John Merricks Tiger Trophy 2019 - photo © Tim Olin / www.olinphoto.co.uk

List of prize winners at the Tiger Trophy:

Overall and winner of the "John Merricks Tiger Trophy" - 420 Neil Marsden & Jonny McGovern Blackpool SC
Tony Everard Trophy (Lowest score for fleet races, no discard) - 420 Neil Marsden & Jonny McGovern Blackpool SC
John Merricks Pursuit Trophy (Winner of Pursuit Race) - 2000 Simon Horsfield & Katie Burridge ASA
Shere Khan Trophy (Best placed helm over 60) - RS400 Mike Simms & Jack Holden Carsington SC
Lady Tiger Trophy (First all Female crew) - 420 Eleanor Keers & Faye Chatterton ISC
John Merricks Junior Trophy (U16) - 420 Jamie Cook & Will Martin CBYC
John Merricks Youth Trophy (U19) - 420 Jack Lewis & Fraser Hemmings Draycote Water SC
Tiger Club Trophy (Club with most entries excluding Rutland) - Draycote Water SC

Class Winners (excluding winners of above trophies) with six or more entries:

420 - Aaron Holman & Pablo Garcia (second after Neil Marsden)
Fireball - Ian Dobson & Richard Wagstaff
Blaze - Eden Hyland
Osprey - Terry Curtis & Peter Greig
Laser - Eleanor Craig
RS Aero 7 - Richard Pye

Fast fleet start during John Merricks Tiger Trophy 2019 - photo © Tim Olin / www.olinphoto.co.uk

Overall Results:

Pos	Boat	Sail No	Helm	Crew	Club	Hcap	R1	R2	R3	R4	Pts
1	420	1	Neil MARSDEN	Jonny MCGOVERN	Blackpool	1086	1	‑3	1	3	5
2	2000	22334	Simon HORSFIELD	Katie BURRIDGE	ASA	1109	‑6	5	2	1	8
3	420	53967	Arran HOLMAN	Pablo GARCIA	Hollowell	1086	4	1	‑11	4	9
4	420	54487	Jack LEWIS	Fraser HEMMINGS	Draycote Water	1086	4	6	‑25	12	22
5	420	56339	Eleanor KEERS	Faye CHATTERTON	ISC	1086	9	‑15	8	5	22
6	505	9177	Tom GILLARD	Geoff EDWARDS	Sheffield Viking	878	11	10	(DNF)	8	29
7	420	55242	Megan FERGUSON	Bettine HARRIS	FPSC	1086	8	7	(DNC)	16	31
8	Fireball	15141	Ian DOBSON	Richard WAGSTAFF	Burwain	944	2	2	‑3	28	32
9	RS800	1171	James PENTY	Eddie GRAYSON	Beaver	799	20	9	‑31	7	36
10	RS400	1488	Mike SIMS	Jack HOLDEN	Carsington	952	19	‑30	15	10	44
11	420	56108	Jamie COOK	Will MARTIN	CBYC	1086	5	4	‑9	40	49
12	Fireball	15155	David HALL	Paul CONSTABLE	Blackwater	944	(RTD)	12	7	31	50
13	Nacra 15 Spi DH	70	Morgan SMITH	Alex HAMEL	Weston	740	‑18	8	5	39	52
14	RS800	1166	Ralph SINGLETON	Sophie SINGLETON	Burghfield	799	12	11	‑18	32	55
15	Blaze	766	Eden HYLAND		ChaseWater	1027	22	‑24	10	24	56
16	470	GBR	Jess LAVERY	Ian WALKER	British Sailing Team	973	14	‑18	17	27	58
17	RS Aero 7	2439	Tim HIRE		Royal Lymington	1073	15	‑21	21	23	59
18	Fireball	15133	Kevin HOPE	Andy STEWART	Notts county	944	16	‑17	15	29	60
19	RS400	1202	Sam KNIGHT	John KNIGHT	Bartley	952	29	‑32	26	6	61
20	Scorpion	2039	Grahame NEWTON	Rachael RHODES	Staunton Harold	1025	‑47	29	22	14	65
21	420	56115	Dylan MCPHERSON	Andrew STURT	RYA	1086	7	15	‑28	46	68
22	K1	138	Andrew SNELL		ASA	1070	27	26	‑29	15	68
23	RS Aero 7	1020	Richard PYE		Draycote Water	1073	‑37	25	36	17	78
24	RS Aero 7	2545	Noah REES		Torpoint Mosquito	1073	24	36	‑41	25	85
25	Blaze	751	Josh HYLAND		ChaseWater	1027	‑33	33	20	37	90
26	Laser Radial	207986	Eleanor CRAIG		Draycote Water	1150	32	‑56	37	21	90
27	420	51740	Harry GEORGE	James GEORGE	Lymington Town	1086	‑44	23	32	36	91
28	National 18	403	Oliver Houseman	Sam Jones & Jeff McGill	Chew Valley Lake	910	‑63	39	23	30	92
29	420	52480	Oliver DOWSON MCGILL	Szymon MATYJASZCZUK	RLYC	1086	‑31	20	13	64	97
30	420	56091	Bertie FISHER	Charlie BACON	Itchenor	1086	10	‑19	16	72	98
31	Challenger	312	Valerie MILLWARD		Rutland Sailability	1162	25	‑27	24	53	102
32	Challenger	270	Graham HALL		Rutland	1162	28	‑41	31	43	102
33	Nacra 15 Spi DH	20	Ben HARRIS	Annabel LUXTON	Weston	740	‑26	16	4	83	103
34	420	54480	Callum DAVIDSON‑GUILD	Oscar CAWTHORNE	Trearddur Bay	1086	13	‑58	54	44	111
35	D‑Zero	217	Thomas SOUTHWELL		Netley	1036	‑55	43	49	19	111
36	RS Aero 7	2060	Andrew MCKEE		Rutland	1073	(DNC)	35	27	49	111
37	Fireball	13944	Dan JOHNSON	Ben LATHAM	Errwood	944	‑38	28	33	50	111
38	RS Vareo	407	Luke FISHER		Emberton Park	1090	‑72	54	48	18	120
39	Merlin Rocket	3569	Ben Lulham	Sam Lulham	RSC	968	46	‑64	50	26	122
40	Laser Radial	202320	Gemma MCDONNELL		Hollowell	1150	46	‑61	40	38	124
41	GP14	13870	Maciej MATYJASZCZUK	Charlie COTTER	Welsh Harp	1131	39	67	(DNF)	20	126
42	Fireball	15114	John HAYES	Joel JAMES	Southport	944	‑42	40	34	52	126
43	Enterprise	22901	Paul YOUNG	Emma COLEMAN	Midland	1149	56	(DNC)	46	34	136
44	Fireball	14940	Georgia BOOTH	Tbc TBC	Sailing Dam	944	40	‑45	43	54	137
45	RS Aero 5	2552	Sammy ISAACS‑JOHNSON		Maidenhead	1129	23	57	(DNC)	59	139
46	Laser Radial	171861	Lydia BARBER		Blithfield	1150	50	‑65	44	45	139
47	RS Aero 7	1336	Joe GALLIVAN		Lymington Town	1073	‑69	34	38	76	148
48	Fireball	15143	Isaac MARSH	Oliver DAVENPORT	Northampton	944	‑17	13	6	OCS	156
49	Blaze	799	Richard BOTTING		Draycote Water	1027	‑53	48	42	67	157
50	420	56467	Ellie DRIVER	Rose EDMONDS	Draycote Water	1086	‑62	37	55	68	160
51	420	549	Toby SCHONROCK	Thomas CLAYTON	Parkstone	1086	30	‑42	39	94	163
52	4000	4281	Harry LITT	Betty BOO	RSC	917	51	31	(DNC)	81	163
53	National 18	401	Peter GRAY	Richard Pepperdine SIMON FORBES	Staunton Harold	910	(DNC)	UFD	19	9	165
54	420	54187	Phoebe HUTCHINGS	Emmy WALKER	Warsash	1086	43	‑46	35	88	166
55	Graduate	3013	Fresh ABENDSTERN	Izzy WATERFALL	Toddbrook	1129	60	‑72	58	48	166
56	D‑Zero	54	Ed DEACON		Hunts	1036	‑54	52	53	62	167
57	D‑Zero	191	Nigel AUSTIN		Cransley	1036	57	53	‑59	58	168
58	Laser	209003	Mark GREENSTREET		Wembley	1112	68	69	(DNF)	35	172
59	420	52566	Katheryn BYNE	Ellie RUSH	Draycote Water	1086	(DNC)	70	51	51	172
60	Laser Radial	197924	Jamie MASON		Blithfield	1150	66	‑79	52	56	174
61	D‑One	2	Laurence MILTON		RYA	971	82	62	(DNC)	33	177
62	420	54997	Charlotte VIDELO	Cally TERKELSEN	Frensham Pond	1086	49	63	(DNF)	65	177
63	D‑Zero	150	Andrew SPENCER		Burton	1036	48	60	(DNC)	70	178
64	Laser	202539	Kev ARMSTRONG		Wembley	1112	‑76	76	61	42	179
65	RS Aero 7	2105	Lily BARRETT		Island Barn	1073	78	‑85	46	55	179
66	Blaze	661	Ben Harden		Burham	1027	72	50	(DNC)	61	183
67	RS Aero 7	2582	Nick NEVE		Rutland	1073	77	66	(DNC)	41	184
68	Fireball	14388	James CUXSON	James Neil ARNOTT	Newhaven & Seaford	944	59	51	(DNF)	74	184
69	2000	22353	Andy Dring	Simon Laken	RSC	1109	(DNC)	44	12	DNC	193
70	Streaker	1462	Paul CARRINGTON		Paxton Lakes	1155	65	‑87	66	66	197
71	420	53304	Lucy HUGHES	Joshua MANNING	Pwllheli	1086	(DNC)	47	65	91	203
72	420	55244	David PEATY	Jude SINGLETON	Hollowell	1086	52	68	(DNC)	92	212
73	GP14	13949	Peter NUGENT	Charles SAUNDERS	Staunton Harold	1131	‑89	81	62	69	212
74	RS600	8	Richard SMITH		Wilsonian	920	36	49	‑56	DNC	222
75	Solo	5138	Patrick OVERS		Paxton Lakes	1152	83	‑88	64	77	224
76	Challenger	281	Jack ALDERDICE		Rutland	1162	41	‑55	47	DNC	225
77	RS400	1453	Stu HALMAN	Martin SPENCER	Leigh and Lowton	952	(DNC)	UFD	67	22	226
78	420	53645	Scarlett CAWTHORNE	Freya TERRY	Shustoke SC	1086	67	74	(DNC)	85	226
79	Lark	2293	Gareth RUSSELL	Aimee RUSSELL	Paxton Lakes	1070	80	‑82	68	78	226
80	2.4m	136	Jazz TURNER		Newhaven and Seaford	1230	‑87	84	69	87	240
81	OK	3	Simon Cowood		RSC	1115	34	71	(DNF)	DNC	242
82	4000	4546	Tim LITT	Tim LITT	RSC	917	‑64	59	57	DNC	253
83	D‑Zero	193	Kevin MOLL		Hunts	1036	88	86	(DNC)	80	254
84	Supernova	1083	Serena STEWARDSON		Emberton Park	1075	85	83	(DNF)	89	257
85	RS Aero 5	1964	Alice LUCY		Rutland	1129	73	‑80	60	DNC	270
86	420	54536	Charlie BAKER	Sam Dyer	Medway	1086	‑84	75	63	DNC	275
87	2000	2146	Steve TYLECOTE	Ben TYLECOTE	Rutland	1109	(DNC)	DNC	DNC	2	276
88	Musto Skiff	396	Stuart HARRIS		Banbury	848	86	(DNF)	DNC	60	283
89	Osprey	1234	Terry CURTIS	Peter GREIG	Sutton Bingham	939	(DNC)	DNC	DNC	11	285
90	Fireball	14950	Chris THORNE	Jono LOE	Lyme Regis	944	58	(DNF)	DNC	90	285
91	Osprey	1356	Ben HAWKES	Simon HAWKES	Castle Cove	939	(DNF)	UFD	DNC	13	287
92	Blaze	763	Peter MCFARLANE		Burghfield	1027	75	(DNS)	DNF	75	287
93	420	54998	Chloe FELTON	Becky CROPLEY	Staunton Harold	1086	74	78	(DNF)	DNC	289
94	Laser	196556	John CURRAN		Wembley	1112	79	77	(DNF)	DNC	293
95	Fireball	15150	Angus HEMMINGS	Steve CHESNEY	RYA	944	21	(UFD)	DNC	OCS	295
96	Osprey	1322	Matt BURGE	Vyv TOWNEND	Bough Beech	939	(DNF)	22	DNC	DNC	296
97	Tornado 24m2 Spi	404	Bo DUKE	Boss HOGG	Rutland County	664	61	(DNC)	DNC	100	298
98	Musto Skiff	80	Harry MCVICAR		Draycote Water	848	70	(DNC)	DNC	95	302
99	Merlin Rocket	3673	Caroline CROFT	Tom LONSDALE	Blithfeild	968	35	(DNC)	DNC	DNC	309
100	Osprey	1373	Richard MARSHALL	Steve WATSON	Poole	939	(DNF)	DNF	DNC	47	321
101	Int Moth	45	James SAINSBURY		Rutland	485	81	(DNC)	DNC	104	322
102	RS Feva XL	2937	Ben KNIGHTS	Theo DEVERILL	Hunts	1240	(DNF)	DNC	DNC	57	331
103	Contender	2210	Alex SHAW		Chase	969	(DNF)	DNF	DNC	63	337
104	Laser 4.7	213524	Jamie TYLECOTE		Rutland	1210	(DNC)	DNC	DNC	71	345
105	Flying 15	3726	Bill Ridlington	David Hodson	RSC	1020	(DNC)	DNC	DNC	73	347
106	420	56116	Ellie CLARK	Daisy DESORGHER	Ripon	1086	(DNF)	DNC	DNC	79	353
107	RS500	689	Chris Pembery	Freya Pembery	RSC	963	(DNF)	DNF	DNC	82	356
108	Streaker	1519	Angus BEYTS		Newburgh	1155	(DNC)	DNC	DNC	84	358
109	Spitfire	106	Max MCCARROLL	Rosie TURTLE	Weston	705	(DNF)	DNF	DNC	86	360
110	Solo	4202	Paul Burton		Welland	1152	(DNC)	DNC	DNC	93	367
111	B14	755	Kevin MOORE	Stuart MOORE	Netley	857	(DNF)	DNC	DNC	96	370
112	Laser 4.7	162883	Solomon Wilby		RSC	1210	(DNC)	DNC	DNC	97	371
113	RS600	647	Martyn Barrett		RSC	920	(DNF)	DNC	DNC	98	372
114	RS600	680	George COLES		Carsington	920	(DNC)	DNC	DNC	99	373
115	Nacra 15 Spi DH	19	Hector Bunclark	Maddy Kirk	North Devon	740	(DNF)	DNC	DNC	101	375
116	Int Moth	4544	Matt Lea		RSC	485	(DNC)	DNC	DNC	102	376
117	Cherub	2650	Martyn DENCHFIELD	Oliver GOOLDEN	Staunton Harold	890	(DNF)	DNC	DNC	103	377
118	Int Moth	4072	Tom Lambert		Wilsonian	485	(DNC)	DNC	DNC	105	379
119=	Norfolk Punt	22	Colin MURRAY	Oliver MURRAY	Royal Marines	870	(DNC)	DNC	DNC	DNC	411
119=	Osprey	1116	Dj EDWARDS	Mike GREIG	MBSC	939	(DNC)	DNC	DNC	DNC	411
119=	Osprey	1347	Philip MEAKINS	Chris DODDS	Warsash	939	(DNC)	DNC	DNC	OCS	411
119=	Osprey	1362	Emma STEVENSON	Tim BOWDEN	Weymouth	939	(DNC)	DNC	DNC	DNC	411
119=	RS400	1309	Russ CLARK	Emma CLARKE	RNSA	952	(DNC)	DNC	DNC	DNC	411
119=	D‑One	21	Vanessa WEEDON‑JONES		Grafham	971	(DNC)	DNC	DNC	DNC	411
119=	Int Moth ‑ No foils	3029	Paul HIGNETT		Loch Lomond	980	(DNC)	DNC	DNC	DNC	411
119=	RS Aero 9	1298	Richard WATSHAM		Starcross	1024	(DNC)	DNC	DNC	DNC	411
119=	Blaze	811	Pete BARLOW		Burghfield	1027	(DNC)	DNC	DNC	DNC	411
119=	Blaze	839	Alex WALTON		Chase	1027	(DNC)	DNC	DNC	DNC	411
119=	Solo	5649	Steven BISHOP		Girton	1152	(DNC)	DNC	DNC	DNC	411
119=	2000	22256	David Wiggins	Tom Wiggins	RSC	1109	(DNC)	DNC	DNC	DNC	411
119=	Laser	173520	Andrew STEWART		Notts County	1112	(DNC)	DNC	DNC	DNC	411
119=	Laser	198880	Adam HAGUE		Ogston	1112	(DNC)	DNC	DNC	DNC	411
119=	Enterprise	23411	Richard PRYKE	Millie PRYKE	Ripon	1149	(DNC)	DNC	DNC	DNC	411
119=	RS Aero 7	1068	Charlie SANSOM		Bowmoor	1073	(DNC)	DNC	DNC	DNC	411
119=	420	47987	James MACLACHLAN	Kenny CHOULARTON	Girton	1086	(DNC)	DNC	DNC	DNC	411
119=	420	53703	Maisie HARKESS	Annabel HITCHMOUGH	Bowmoor	1086	(DNC)	DNC	DNC	DNC	411