Helly Hansen Merlin Rocket Week - Day 2

Published 08:24 on 1 Jul 2025

With the rest of the UK cooking in 30+ degrees, Salcombe has been veiled in sea mist for the last few days. Monday was the day when this was meant to clear but competitors woke to find the race track still shrouded in mist. However, the breeze was round into the East with the hope that it would build.

Race 1 - Red v Blue, Course 4,1,3,1,3,2

Starting on the top of the tide in 5-8 knots of ENE, the fleet lined up early but managed to hold station and complete a clean start. Firing out of the line into an early lead were Christian Birrell and Sam Brearey, following a below par 9th in their first race. They soon extended, joining up the dots of pressure, particularly on the approach to Yalton, where they got the better of their nearest challengers, Ollie Meadowcroft and Pete Gray. They were soon away into a lead that grew and grew.

The battle for second was intense with ten boats in with a shout. Keeping their noses in front were Ollie and Pete as the fleet close tacked up the Portlemouth shore against the building ebb tide. By half distance the sun had come out and the fleet were enjoying great racing.

Christian and Sam came home well ahead for their first bullet. Ollie and Pete were a strong second with Tim Saxton and Holly McArthur getting their noses ahead of Mike and Jane Calvert for third and fourth. Matthew and Ben Shorrock were having another strong day and took fifth ahead of Will and Arthur Henderson.

Race 2 - Green v Black, Course 3,W,3,1,3,2

With the breeze holding in the ENE and a moderate ebb running against them, the fleet split to the two sides of the harbour. Starting on the town side, Tom Gillard and Rachel Gray were soon leading up past the Ferry Inn and past Batson at which point they took a good port hander to cross back over to Ditch End. At the same time, Alex Jackson and Alex Warren, who had led the battle up the Portlemouth shore, chose to cross over to Snapes. As it turned out, Tom and Rachel had it right and hooked into a nice righty to lead into Crossways, followed by Dave Winder and Beka Jones. 

On to the long run down to mark W off North Sands, Tom and Rachel extended and were then able to make the most of the tidal relief behind Blackstone to take a good lead back into the harbour. As the breeze started to fade, they kept the boat moving and avoided the shallows and sea grass that ensnared others with a number of crews having to jump and out relaunch, coming home for their second bullet.

The three way battle for second was resolved with Chris Gould and Sophie Mackley getting past Dave and Beka on the final beat to Crossways. Mary and Rupert Henderson-White lost their race long fourth place to Jen and Chris Dodds having hit the sea grass. Anthony and Jo Gifford came home sixth after another strong performance.