P&B Merlin Rocket Women's Championship 2026 at Northampton Sailing Club

P&B Merlin Rocket Women's Championship at Northampton © Sophie Mackley

P&B Merlin Rocket Women's Championship at Northampton © Lou Johnson

After weeks of unpredictable weather, the dinghy park quickly filled with Dryrobes, woolly hats and plenty of discussion in the busy women's changing rooms about exactly how many layers would be required. Fortunately, despite the gloomy forecasts, the weekend at Northampton SC for the P&B Merlin Rocket Women's championships delivered remarkably sailable conditions, with only the briefest drizzle on Saturday.

The weekend began with an excellent training day led by Chris Gould, Sophie Mackley, Nigel Wakefield and Johnny Allen on the Saturday. Short, sharp sessions on compact courses kept crews busy throughout the day, with plenty of valuable on-water coaching and shore-based feedback afterwards. The evening saw a curry night social, and the dedicated group were still dissecting race video analysis beyond 9pm ahead of Sunday's five-race championship series!

Sunday soon rolled up, greeted by similar conditions as the previous day, the teams were fuelled by breakfast from the fantastic galley team and on the water for a 10:30 start.

Storm Nuttal and Sally Wakefield under coaches orders - P&B Merlin Rocket Women's Championship at Northampton - photo © Sophie Mackley

Race 1

Windward-leeward was the course of choice for the event, saving navigation around the cans for another day. Fresh from passing on the training day, Jenny Dodds and Pippa Kilsby, 3611, wasted no time finding their form, taking victory in the opening race. Sophie Mackley and Chris Gould, 3803, gave them a run for their money ending up in 2nd. Rebecca Videlo and Lorna Glen, 3691, finished third, winning the battle between Storm Nutall and Sally Wakefield, 3825, and Caroline Gould and Rachael Gray, 3820, who were clearly just warming up!

Race 2

Among several crews swapping roles for the weekend, Saturday coaches Sophie and Chris demonstrated exactly how it should be done, storming off from the fleet despite the 3:1 mainsheet on Chris's boat and enough rake to bump Sophie's head (twice!). Caroline and Rachael were beginning to find their rhythm, finishing second. Rebecca and Lorna secured another 3rd - a nice and consistent pattern starting to form for the new team.

Just after the start - P&B Merlin Rocket Women's Championship at Northampton - photo © Dave Williams

Race 3

With competitors appreciating a slightly longer course, the third race featured three full laps. A pin-biased start line created an early tactical battle among the leading pack. Caroline and Rachael enjoyed a close contest with Sophie and Chris before emerging victorious and beginning what would become a dominant run through the remainder of the day. Jenny and Pippa had a good start pinching out their competitors and continued this form to take 3rd.

Race 4

As the breeze built further in the afternoon, quick turnarounds from the race team were warmly welcomed. Caroline and Rachael once again found themselves in a close battle, this time with Rebecca and Lorna, with several tight place changes and tactical decisions on the final beat to the finish. Sophie and Chris joined the battle but were unlucky with a big shift on the second beat so they settled for 3rd in front of Storm and Sally.

P&B Merlin Rocket Women's Championship at Northampton - photo © Sophie Mackley

Race 5

On the last start of the day, Sarah Richards and Chris Feibusch had a storming start, but Caroline and Rachael were still on top form. The gusty nature of the run kept Caroline and Rachael leading with Rebecca and Lorna catching the front two, having gybed off early. But Caroline and Rachael completed the championship in style, securing another victory and the overall title.

The mid fleet was a tight battle with Storm and Sally, Megan Pascoe and Helen Hilditch, 3806, Lou Johnson and Alice Allen, 3815, Sarah Richard and Chris Feibusch, 3780, fighting it out. A competitive yet friendly environment for those who usually crew to try helming and appreciate some other controls - as Lou rightly said, the kicker is very useful!

Caroline Gould and Rachael Gray, overall winners - P&B Merlin Rocket Women's Championship at Northampton - photo © Jason Privett

Prize-giving saw Caroline and Rachael crowned the 2026 P&B Merlin Rocket Women's Champions. Sophie and Chris ended up in 2nd with Rebecca and Lorna rounding out the podium in 3rd. Continuing with the friendly and motivating spirit of the weekend, every boat received a prize with the endeavour prize going to Hannah and John Cowper 3463, winning a new P&B mast bag!

A big thank you goes to Northampton Sailing Club for their warm hospitality and slick race management throughout the weekend and to P&B for their generosity supporting the event.

Sophie Mackley and Chris Gould, second overall - P&B Merlin Rocket Women's Championship at Northampton - photo © Jason Privett

Rebecca's shout-out goes to the fan club/support crew cheering on shore or virtually with updates on WhatsApp and Lorna's gives a special mention to Hendo's Boat Works for the mighty fine jib sheets, the best in her short Merlin career so far, whipped up expertly in the car park at Salcombe a few weeks ago!

With close racing, great quality coaching and a fantastic social atmosphere, the P&B Merlin Rocket Women's Championships once again proved to be one of the highlights of the class calendar — and many left already looking forward to the next one!

Rebecca Videlo and Lorna Glen, third overall - P&B Merlin Rocket Women's Championship at Northampton - photo © Jason Privett

Overall Results: