Merlin Rocket Inlands at Draycote Water Sailing Club
by Jennie King 24 Sep 2001 10:38 BST
22nd & 23rd September 2001
Phil King and Kevin Driver from Bowmoor SC took their third major Merlin title this year at the Inland Championships at Draycote Water. They fought off stiff competition from the 58 other boats and clinched the title after winning the final race.
The forecast light conditions on Saturday allowed only one race to be sailed which resulted in a popular win for a new Merlin pairing this season of Mike Fenwick and Andy Maynard from Weymouth. A superb carvery dinner was held in the splendidly refurbished club on Saturday evening.
Predicted northerly winds of 10-15 mph greeted the sailors on Sunday morning and three more races were held during the day. Race 2 was won by last year's Inlands winner, Richard Whitworth and Sally Townend with King/Driver runners up. Race 3 saw the winning gun fire for John Bell and Graham Williamson ahead of Will Rainey/Liese Ward. Going into the final race, three boats had a real chance of the championships title. As Bell and Whitworth floundered off the start line, King and Driver seized their chance and came in behind Alan Warren/Liam Dempsey at the first windward mark. The 'Take it Easy' pair overhauled them during the next lap to take the race and the Inlands title.
Overall Results:
| Pos | Helm | Crew | Sail No | Boat Name | Club |
|---|
| 1st | Phil King | Kevin Driver | 3606 | Take It Easy | Bowmoor SC |
| 2nd | Richard Whitworth | Sally Townend | 3593 | Insomnia | Hollingworth Lake |
| 3rd | Paul Davies | Sara Warren | 3573 | Rong Number | Bowmoor SC |
| 4th | Dave Winder | Jilly Blake | 3557 | Out of the Blue 2 | Hollingworth Lake |
| 5th | John Bell | Graham Williamson | 3569 | Time Zulu | Hampton SC |
| 6th | Mike Calvert | Alex Jackson | 3549 | Unfinished Business | Weymouth SC |
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