Aspire Merlin Rocket National Championships at Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy - Day 5

Heavy rain and thunderstorms went through overnight, clearing away ready for 2 sunny races out in Weymouth Bay. The breeze filled in from the South West.

Initially it was a lovely force 3-4, which built gradually throughout the afternoon, to provide fantastic sailing conditions. However, just to add some jeopardy, there were some lighter spots and a challenging wave set due to the residual swell from the South East. This did result in few teams taking a quick dip!

First race conditions just don't get any better than this on day 5 of the Aspire Merlin Rocket Nationals at the WPNSA - photo © Rob O'Neill

Race 7 started on the dot of 1200 with the whole fleet on their best behaviour. The leader at mark 1, with a small lead over the leading contenders, was Jon Gorringe and Toby Lewis in 3833. Not far behind were Ben and Harry Scroggie in 3488 (the oldest boat in the fleet by a good margin!) also sailed a superb first beat to round mark 1 in 4th place.

At the leeward mark, the leader was still 3833 with her beautiful Welsh dragon spinnaker, but Tom Gillard and Rachael Gray (3759) were in hot pursuit. Jon and Toby gradually pulled away to take their second win of the week, closely followed by Tom and Rachel, Tom Stewart and Rob Allen (3824) and then James Wells and Lorna Glen (3746) in 4th. Overnight leaders, Andy 'Taxi' Davis and Becky Caiger (3824) kept themselves in overall contention with 5th place.

Tom Stewart and Rob Allen power down the reach with the Weymouth seafront behind them on day 5 of the Aspire Merlin Rocket Nationals at the WPNSA - photo © Rob O'Neill

First Silver fleet boat was the consistently quick Sam and Leanne Thompson sailing 3801, with Jerry Ibberson and Liza Hunt (3760) taking bragging rights for first Bronze fleet boat.

The race team quickly turned things around for race 8. After the highly uncharacteristic series of clean starts so far through the Championship, the fleet finally reverted to form with a general recall. The Race Officer and his team undertook a very slick reset to quickly get a second sequence under way, this time under the black flag, and just one boat was pinged on the second attempt.

Tom and Rachael (3759) once again lead the charge at mark 1, but relinquished the lead to Oliver Meadowcroft and Alex Pausey (3771) on the first run. Arran Holman and Tom Pygall (3826) rounded close astern with James Wells and Lorna Glen (3746) once again in 4th place.

A rear sight - Tom Gillard hitting the gybe mark on day 5 of the Aspire Merlin Rocket Nationals at the WPNSA - photo © Rob O'Neill

After some very close racing, Arran and Tom (3826) had broken through to lead at the final windward mark, but another shake up on the final run saw Oliver and Alex (3771) and Tom and Rachael (3759) charge through to finish in that order. James and Lorna (3746) held on for their second 4th place of the day, making them first gold fleet boat in the race. Perhaps a strong bid for re-admittance into the Platinum fleet? Snapping at their heels was the Welsh dragon spinnaker of Jon and Toby (3833) in fifth.

The ever consistent Sam and Leanne Thompson (3801) were first Silver fleet boat in 16th place, whilst Roman and Ben Archer (3767) reestablished their dominance in Bronze fleet ahead of Jerry Ibberson and Liza Hunt (3760).

Sam and Leanne Thompson 3801 in the pack on the reach, first race on day 5 of the Aspire Merlin Rocket Nationals at the WPNSA - photo © Rob O'Neill

Given that the forecast for tomorrow looks a bit spicy, the Race Officer has brought the start of the final race forward, with the expectation of racing inside Portland Harbour. There is still lots to play for throughout the fleet so stay tuned for the exciting finale!

A huge thanks as always to our amazing sponsors Aspire Financial Advisers, Barton Marine, ClamCleat, P&B and Winder Boats.

Results after Day 5: