Merlin Rocket HD Sails Midland Circuit at Burton Sailing Club

Podium places in the Merlin Rocket HD Sails Midland Circuit at Burton © BSC

Sunday was a fantastic day for sailing and nothing could compare. The Merlin Rockets were greeted by the usual Burton hospitality led by Ian Merryfield and his crew for the HD Sails Midland Circuit event. Plenty of suntan cream was applied and we went to work (it's a hard life).

First race and the first beat proved what we were up against with the wind shifts with the majority of the fleet heading right which looked correct. Yours truly (Steve and Gill Leney) sailed further left into a header, tacked and screamed around the windward mark on a reach to take the lead. So far so good I thought.

However on the second beat, Rob Kennaugh and Andrew Posser pulled off the overtake of the day. Ironically by doing exactly the same manoeuvre on this beat as I did on the first. Lesson learnt.

Behind us, places were shuffling dramatically at times.

Second race: Ed Bradburn and Jonny Coate pulled out to a good lead and was never seen again. Special mention for Pete Male and Tim Male in this one who used particularly good ladders on the beat to gain second place at one point.

However, the race finished with Ed and Jonny, Rob and Andrew, Matt Biggs and George Bender and myself on 5 points. So, basically, it was all on the last race. No pressure then.

Lunch was enjoyed by all in the Mediterranean conditions.

Third Race: slightly altered course which gave us one reach too tight for spinnakers leaving you with the debate of; do I stay high then hoist or hoist and drop low of the mark or just leave the kite in the bin.

The format of the previous two races was blown apart by young Colin Anderson and Sam Bailey taking the lead and never looking back. But this still left, the fight for first place behind him. After a lot of snakes and ladders the result was Ed and Jonny, Rob and Andrew, myself and then Matt and Sam.

This was great fun, and the crews need a special mention as completely unpredictable wind. Another thank you to Ian for keeping Merlins alive at the club.

The next event on the HD Sails Midland Circuit is at Midland Sailing 18th May 2025. See all fixtures at portal.merlinrocket.co.uk/events

Overall Results: