Whitstable Yacht Club

Salcombe Merlin Rocket Week 2011

2011-07-16T22:08:56+00:00

As last year, three Whitstable boats, Phil and Karen Emery, Rien Zilvold and Julie Nuttall and John Cooper and Hilary Bradshaw entered Merlin Week at Salcombe. There was a record entry of 102 boats making for a very congested starting line (despite the fleet being split into flights so only 51 boats raced at a time). In one race Rien demonstrated the “dutch start” by standing in the water at the starboard end of the start line, holding his boat just behind the line on starboard tack, then jumping in and sailing off on the gun. This worked so well that in the next race another competitor, David Hayes, copied it and went on to win the race! Conditions during the week were reasonably benign with lightish winds and lots of sunshine and a great week was had by all. John and Hilary ended up 28th, Phil and Karen 31st and Rien and Julie 41st.

Salcombe Merlin Rocket Week 2010

2010-07-10T13:17:54+00:00

Three Whitstable boats sailed in the 86 boat fleet from 4 - 9 July. John and Hilary were 32nd o/a, Phil and Karen 35th and Rien and Julie 39th. Sophie Mackley crewing for Ross Jackson from Shoreham was 18th. It was a fantastic weeks sailing in classic Salcombe conditions, lots of sunshine, one big breeze day with lots of capsizing, but fortunately no drifters.

Well done Rien and Julie

2010-01-10T20:55:40+00:00

Rien and Julie battled through freezing conditions to finish the Bloody Mary on Saturday. For results and a super shot of them in action see the Yachts and Yachting website.

Dan and Hamish - October centrefolds

2009-11-03T20:27:01+00:00

Well, nearly! See http://demelzamitchell.co.uk/gallery_189945.html for Demelza Mitchells fantastic photos in her calendar.