Selden Merlin Rocket National Championship at Penzance - Day 5

Thursday at the Selden Merlin Rocket Championships started inauspiciously with low cloud and a fickle breeze from the west which was insufficiently reliable for the PRO to call the fleet to sea.

A three hour postponement ensued and proved to be absolutely the right decision with a 10-12 knot breeze from 280 degrees established for the start.

Away first time under a U flag, the first most significant moment of the race was Stu Bithell and Tom Pygall jumping the gun at the pin which, following Stu's away day, ended their shot at the title.

Chris Jennings and Pete Horn launched out of the middle of the line and were clear ahead at the first mark and then extend a 100 metre lead at the end of the first triangle. Nick Craig and Alan Roberts led the chase, while overall leaders Roger Gilbert and James Stewart extricated themselves from a second row start to move through to second by the top of the second beat.

This being the Champagne Race, a full four laps and beat were set providing two hours of hard fought racing throughout the fleet. Roger and James slowly ate into Chris and Pete's lead but ultimately ran out of track and had to settle for second. This though was enough to give them the title with a day to spare with a highly consistent set of results (1,1,2,2,4).

Nick and Alan had to retire with rudder problems while Simon Potts and Ally Martin took their best result of the week in third. Ben and Roz McGrane secured another fourth to strengthen their hold on second overall. Steve Hall and Si Haighton added fifth to a strong series, while the young, talented Peter Ballantine with Ben Hollis came home sixth.

Champagne was generously provided for the helm and crew of the first 21 teams by Winder Boats.

Results after Day 5: