VINTAGE MERLINS AT HUNTS SC

A poor weather forecast deterred a number of potential visitors from making the journey to Hunts SC on 12 May. A fresh westerly breeze with gusts to 25 mph greeted the four boats that took to the water. OOD Richard Christmas set a series of 3 races each of approximately 40 minutes duration, which were sailed around a figure of eight course comprising beats & reaches. Conditions were testing for both boats and crews and offers by the OOD to extend the duration of the races were firmly but politely turned down!

Jon Cowper (235) made some good starts, in one race leading for some time. In general racing upwind was close but both Mervyn Allen (799) and Ben Marshall (2529) showed superior off wind performance, with these two steadily moving away from the two older boats and ensuring line honours were shared by these two (799 – 2 races, 2529 – 1 race). Spinnakers remained firmly tucked away as the wind showed no signs of abating and a couple of sharp rain squalls gave a soaking to those who had not sampled the water in the more traditional way.

Thanks go to Richard and his Solo team for providing an excellent days racing, not to mention Chris Hibbert in the rescue launch providing photographic evidence of the day and Debbie Alcock (+little helper) in the galley ensuring numerous warming drinks and hot and cold snacks were available throughout the day.

The Merlin Handicap system was applied to elapsed times giving the following overall result:

1^st. 799 - Holt Premiere - Mervyn Allen - (Ranelagh SC)

2^nd. 2529 - Morrison September Girl - Ben Marshall (Minima YC)

3^rd. 235 - Holt Riant - Jon Cowper - (Hunts SC)

4^th. 1066 - Procter Mk.XII - Tim Bury - (Banbury SC)