Merlin Rocket Open at Lymington Town Sailing Club

Andy Davis and Pippa Kilsby win the Lymington Merlin Rocket Open © Pat Blake

The spirit of the Merlin Rocket Sailor - what the pandemic hasn't changed

Back in January the Merlin Rocket class announced their Silver Tiller dates for 2020, Lymington Town Sailing Club, was set to host the class on 29th and 30th August, and they did just that. Albeit not a Silver Tiller it was an open where 20 visiting boats joined the local fleet of 12 with a goal to put on a fun and safe weekend aimed to get people back on the water in what is establishing itself as the 'new normal'.

On the water it was business as usual with some carefully thought out measures on land; including a walk around the club talking through the Covid-19 social distancing measures in place (you can watch the video here) and a pre-recorded briefing, both of which were emailed to all competitors before arrival in Lymington.

Over the weekend, Lymington delivered some very shifty northerly conditions keeping everyone on their toes, with plenty of interesting moments across the fleet. Andy 'Taxi' Davis and Pippa Kilsby took the overall win, with Simon Potts and Holly McArthur in second and locals David and Victoria Lenz in third.

It was not plain sailing, and across the fleet boats were poised and ready to take advantage of any rusty manoeuvres along the way as people found their racing gear. New Southerners Chris Gould and Caroline Croft put their mark on the results table, taking the win in race 1. Jon and Mimi Gorringe, Ian Dobson and Charlotte Fildes, Matt Biggs and Beka Jones, Will and Arthur Henderson, Chris Jennings and James Stewart all got in the mix.

The race is on during the Lymington Merlin Rocket Open - photo © Pat Blake

What can be taken away from the event:

• Despite nearly five months out the boat, Andy Davis and Pippa Kilsby have not lost their ability to show the fleet the way around the course, even when navigating around the local marks.

• The first male crew finished in 7th place, showing that Merlin Rockets are suitable for the ladies and well as the gents.

• James Wells and Anna Aylward stormed to victory in the Silver Fleet leaving the competition in their wake finishing an incredible 5th overall.

• A northerly breeze at Lymington is very shifty and will keep the crew on their toes.

• Post sailing doughnuts can still happen during a pandemic.

• A club with volunteers and a 'can do' attitude can get a group of sailors together for a fun and safe weekend on and off the water in 2020.

• Navigational courses proved popular, and sailors would like to see more of them when visiting in the future.

• Online briefings and videos about the club in advance take the pressure off sailors on the day.

Enjoying the conditions during the Lymington Merlin Rocket Open - photo © Angus Aylward

Overall, it is hard to ask for a better weekend and we're pretty sure there were plenty of tired bodies on Monday as sailing muscles were rediscovered - thank goodness for Bank Holiday Monday's! A huge thanks to all the volunteers who made the event possible, to the visitors who made the journey and to Hayman Marine who supplied spot Marlow Ropes prizes for the event.

The club looks forward to welcoming the fleet back in 2021.

Overall Results: