Aspire Merlin Rocket National Championship at Looe Sailing Club - Day 4

Welcome to day four of the Aspire Merlin Rocket Nationals at Looe Sailing Club, with today's racing sponsored by Winder Boats.

After a night of fancy dress with the theme "what were you wearing when the ship went down", lifeguard Tom Gillard was on hand to rescue the drowning Merlin Rocket crews and deliver them safely to the boat park in the morning. There was a motley crew of pirates, pyjamas and even some frozen Titanic guests that survived their ship sinking and all made it to day four.

Grey skies, flat seas and not a lot of wind didn't inspire a lot of confidence in the day's racing, especially with three races scheduled to play catch up. However, after a brief AP, the fleet was sent to launch only 40 minutes late and we all promptly scurried out onto the water.

Merlin Rocket Aspire National at Looe Day 4 - photo © Alex Pausey

It's often said that Merlin Rocket Championship races are like buses. You wait three days for a good one and suddenly three come along at once.

The first race got under way in a light breeze, with crews finally up on the side although not hiking weather yet. Going right on the first beat seemed to pay off as Dave Winder and Beka Jones took the lead, followed by Caroline Gould and Livvy Bell. Round in third and coming in from the left after an excellent beat was Jon Ibbotson and Robbie Stewart.

Merlin Rocket Aspire National at Looe Day 4 - photo © Alex Pausey

The pack split in half down the run, with Tom Gillard and Rachael Gray making it up to third place. Dave and Beka pulled away on the next lap - perhaps some would say the taste of champagne was highly motivational - and as the race was shortened to two laps there was some tussling for the remaining medal positions on the last reach. Tom and Rachael went high, battling with Caroline and Livvy and Tim Saxton and Holly McArthur, but Ben Saxton and Matt Rainback went low sailing in a straight line and managed to go around everyone to get second place.

Race two got under way in a bit more breeze and it was finally time to go hiking. Dave and Beka rounded the windward mark first again, followed by Tim and Holly then Tom and Rachael. Dave and Beka unfortunately went the wrong way on the next beat and dropped back slightly, allowing Tim and Holly to take the lead, although they were rolled by Tom and Rachel on the second reach. Ben and Matt also had a strong reach, moving up from 6th to about 3rd place.

Merlin Rocket Aspire National at Looe Day 4 - photo © Alex Pausey

There were big gains to be had going up the left on the last beat, as this author gained a few places to get up into 5th place! The top five then stayed the same on the last run, with Tom and Rachael taking another win, followed by Ben and Matt in second and Tim and Holly in third place.

The breeze dropped off a bit for the third race but there was another clean start. First round the windward mark was Tom and Rachael, followed by Caroline and Livvy then possibly Mike and Jane Calvert. Mike swears there were gains to be had by going up the right side on the next beat, although this author definitely made up a couple of places by going left. Finishing order was Tom and Rachael, then Ben and Matt with yet another second place, then Mike and Jane Calvert.

Merlin Rocket Aspire National at Looe Day 4 - photo © Alex Pausey

Tomorrow's forecast looks like a nice south-westerly breeze for another three races scheduled, although this author won't fully trust the Looe forecasts until she can see the breeze on the water!

A huge thank you to all our sponsors Aspire Financial Advisors, Creation Covers, Pinnell & Bax, Sailing Chandlery, ClamCleat, Winder Boats and Copperfish Distillery.

Results after Day 4: