Merlin Rocket Thames Series and Vintage Series at Thames Sailing Club and Minima Yacht Club

Light winds for the Merlin Rocket Rowsell Sails Thames Series and Craftinsure VIntage Series events at Thames SC and Minima SC © Martin Hughes

Merlin Rockets rigging up at Thames SC © Martin Hughes

On Saturday 2nd May a ten strong fleet of Vintage and Modern Merlin Rockets arrived at Thames SC for the first event in the 2026 Rowsell Sails Thames Series. The open meeting was also the third event in the national Craftinsure DeMay Vintage Series with eligible boats having sail numbers between 1 – 3357.

The four home boats competing were joined by visitors from Cookham SC, Hampton, Upper Thames and Tamesis. The competitors were given a warm friendly welcome by the Commodore and Race Officer Mark Laity and all at Thames SC. The sailors and helpers all enjoyed bacon rolls and hot drinks whilst they rigged their merlins of various designs and ages. Newly restored Merlin 522 Magician was the oldest boat competing at a mere 72 years of age and the newest 3704 Factory Maid built in 2009.

With light winds forecast throughout the day, a short windward leeward course with multiple laps was laid by the race team. After the briefing Race 1 got underway, Andrew Harris & Sara Warren in 607 Crescendo made it to the windward mark first closely followed by Rob and Hatty Cage in 1692 Hullabaloo and then main pack led by Miles Palmer & Gideon Crees in 2151 Dipsomania and Pat & Jilly Blake in 901 Tiercel. By lap two Andrew & Sara and Rob & Hatty had pulled out from the main group with boats regularly changing positions up the beat as the wind came and went. By the start of the third lap Stuart Jenkins & Nicola Scaddan in 1097 Flinkidink, were in third place chased by Miles & Gideon and Chris & James Martin in 950 Desperation. After 45 minutes the finishing positions were 1st Andrew & Sara, 2nd Rob & Hatty and 3rd Stuart & Nicola.

Blues skies for the Merlin Rocket Rowsell Sails Thames Series and Craftinsure VIntage Series events at Thames SC and Minima SC - photo © Martin Hughes

For Race 2 the course remained unchanged. With a clean start, at the windward mark Andrew & Sara rounded first followed Rob & Hatty and Chris & James then the main group. These three boats pulled away from the main group and battled it out for the top three places in the race with 1st Andrew & Sara, 2nd Rob & Hatty and 3rd Chris & James 3rd.

After an excellent lunch Race 3 got underway with the same course set. At the first mark the top four boats were 607, 1692, 2152 and 1097 closely followed by the chasing pack. Andrew & Sara and Rob & Hatty had a closely fought battle for with Andrew & Sara who took the honours with Rob & Hatty 2nd and Stuart & Nicola in 3rd. The first Youth was James Martin (9 years old).

Merlin Rockets at the Rowsell Sails Thames Series and Craftinsure VIntage Series events at Thames SC and Minima SC - photo © Egle Tumosa

On Saturday 3rd May the Merlin fleet moved a short distance downstream to Minima YC where seven intrepid crews competed in the second event in the 2026 Rowsell Sails Thames Series. The open meeting was also the fourth event in the national Craftinsure DeMay Vintage Series.

The competitors were given a warm friendly welcome by Race Officer Paul Bloomfield and the Club members. Once again, the wind conditions were light so a short windward leeward course, upriver of the clubhouse and downstream of Ravers Ait, was laid by the race team.

Seven boats came to the race area with six boats starting Race 1 due to the conditions. Race 1 saw the fleet slowly moving around the course always searching for the available wind. The lead four boats were Andrew & Sara, Rob & Hatty, Stuart & Nicola and Ollie & Emily Houseman in 3560 Luka. All four boats stayed in close proximity to each other throughout the race with Andrew & Sara 1st, Ollie & Emily 2nd, with Stuart & Nicola 3rd pipping Rob & Hatty into 4th on the finish line.

Merlin Rockets at the Rowsell Sails Thames Series and Craftinsure VIntage Series events at Thames SC and Minima SC - photo © Egle Tumosa

After an excellent lunch provided by the Club, Races 2 & 3 were sailed back-to-back. Both races were a battle in the conditions and closely fought throughout the fleet.

Race 2 finished 1st Andrew & Sara, 2nd Ollie & Emily, 3rd Rob & Hatty.

Race 3 finished 1st Ollie & Emily, 2nd Andrew & Sara, 3rd Stuart & Nicola.

Overall Andrew Harris & Sara Warren won with Ollie & Emily Houseman 2nd, Stuart Jenkins & Nicola Scaddan 3rd, with the Emily Houseman the first Youth (10 years old).

First Merlin Rocket Youth at Minima - Emily Houeman - photo © Stuart Jenkins

Thank you to all the helpers at Thames SC & Minima YC for making us so welcome and running two great events in testing conditions.

Craftinsure Vintage Series Prizegiving at Minima - photo © Stuart Jenkins

Upcoming Events:

• Next DeMay Vintage & Classic event at Banbury SC - Saturday 16th May
• Next Thames & DeMay Vintage event at Tamesis SC - Sunday 21st June

Overall Results: