Craftinsure Merlin Rocket Silver Tiller Felucca Trophy at Hollingworth Lake

Merlin Rocket Felucca Trophy at Hollingworth Lake © Guy Winder

Over the weekend of 6th & 7th October the Merlin Rocket fleet headed north to Hollingworth lake for the Craftinsure Silver Tiller and the Felucca Trophy.

With the forecast of wet, windy and cold for Saturday and no wind on Sunday, it was hard to get motivated to travel, but you should never believe the forecast. On arrival, the sun was out, chilly but not too cold and a nice breeze. 21 teams arrived and rigged for a 12.30 start.

Race 1 was led by Steve Crook and Sally Townend, with Taxi / Pip, the Chris's, Caroline and Tom, Matt and Beka all pushing hard. Taxi got into the lead, Steve dropped to 2nd and Caroline moved up to 3rd.

Race 2 got away in slightly more breeze again tight at the top with many place changes, this time the results were switched around a bit with the Chris's taking the bullet, Matt and Beka 2nd, Taxi and Pip 3rd.

Merlin Rocket Felucca Trophy at Hollingworth Lake - photo © Guy Winder

Race 3 and the wind was still playing ball, although a few more holes and shifts to cope with. Dave Winder and son Oliver decided they would join the party and lead for most of the race, with Taxi / Pip, Matt / Beka, Steve / Sally and the Chris's all within a few boat lengths. In the end Matt and Beka fluked it to take the bullet, Taxi and Pip 2nd and Chris and Chris 3rd.

Overnight the points were tight with Matt and Beka and Taxi and Pip on equal points, Chris and Chris 1 point behind.

A fantastic night was had by all on Saturday, with a fabulous curry and a few 'games.' While the younger members of the fleet did some sort of table dancing thing, the more mature Merlin sailors made our own cocktails, mainly consisting of a Whiskey, vodka, gin mix. The drinks seem to go down well, but unfortunately for Colin, seem to come back up even easier later in the night.

Merlin Rocket Felucca Trophy at Hollingworth Lake - photo © Guy Winder

Sunday dawned, a little bit too early for some, to no wind and a completely glassy looking lake.

No problem, the locals said, wind will be here before 12. Sure enough, just after 11 the wind filled in to a nice 2 to 3 and it built all day to a solid 4 with some quite fruity gusts.

Race 4: Again Steve and Sally got the best of the start to lead round the first mark, with Taxi / Pip in second. Just behind the leading two pairs were the Chris's, Caroline / Tom, Matt / Beka.

Taxi took the Bullet (just) from Steve with Matt / Beka 3rd.

Race 5: Taxi and Pip lead from start to finish and extended most of the way round, Steve and Sally again being very consistent in 2nd, the Chris's in 3rd and Richard Whitworth / Jemima taking 4th.

Race 6: Again, Taxi / Pip taught us all a lesion how to sail and lead from start to finish, never really being challenged and with it took the overall victory and the 2018 Felucca Trophy. 2nd were the Chris's and with that result took 2nd overall by one point from Matt and Beka.

A huge thanks to Hollingworth Lake Sailing Club for putting on another fantastic event and to the class sponsors Craftinsure and Magic Marine.

Overall Results: