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Result Details

Event name: Tiger Trophy - GJW Direct SailJuice Winter Series
Date: 01 February 2014
Type:
Club: Rutland Sailing Club
Classtype:Handicap , see more results

The Tiger roared as 166 braved the Rutland Challenge

 

Ignoring the dire weather forecasts of extreme wind, rain, snow, and high tides, 166 boatloads of winter warriors from all over the UK came to Rutland for this year's 2 day 'Challenge' for the John Merricks Tiger Trophy.

Half of the proceeds of the event go to the Trust, established after John's death to support youth sailing. This was also the final regatta of the closely fought GJW Direct Sailjuice Winter series and SailRacer provided their Sail Trackers to monitor the situation, thankfully sponsored by Rule 26.

The largest British lake avoided the high tides and snow and the sun shone all weekend but it could not avoid the strengthening south easterly wind on Saturday. The actual 10 knots was a lot better than forecast and at the briefing from Race Officer David Wilkins, this had increased to 15, gusting 22, as confirmed from his large and well practiced race team monitoring from the racecourse. Three races were scheduled and by the start of the first fast fleet race, the wind had increased to 18, gusting 24, and progressively increased during the course of the race.

The gusts were getting bigger and, depending on the situation, incredibly exciting or almost uncontrollable. The race team decided to finish the race after two laps for the fast and one lap for the slow boats. There were some great examples of boat handling skills in what were very difficult gusty conditions. In the fast fleet the 29er of Connellan/Alloway, Fireballs of Burge/Wagstaff, Batchelor/Clark and Birrell/Brearey and the 505 of Smith/Needham and in the "Slow" fleet, the 420 of Riley/Taylor and a great battle of the Lasers between Wetherell and Simpson – with Wetherell coming out on top followed by the Scorpion of McKee/Massey. These were being pushed all the way by a Flying 15, Solos, Enterprise, 2000 and others.

The comment afterwards from competitors was about the "hairy downwind legs with big gusts hitting hard". This decimated the fleet – with 45 boats finishing from over 100 starters. Then AP over H (racing postponed return to shore) was flown after race 1 and no more racing was possible on Saturday. The safety teams which included the local Army and RAF crews under the experienced direction of Dick Richardson, Rutland's safety coxswain, were very busy rescuing boats who got into trouble.

John Merricks Tiger Trophy Pursuit Race at Rutland Water - photo © Martin Hollingshead

The caterers were ready for the early retiring fleet with food and Tiger beer supplied as usual by local brewers Everards who also supplied the prizes. Tony Everard, the past President of the company gave John his first 420 'Rutland Challenge'.While competitors retired to the lounge to reflect on their brief but exciting time on the racecourse and watch the rugby, the club was prepared for the Tiger Dinner.

This year, the 'black tie' code was reintroduced and a comprehensive carvery was served. Before Dennis Merricks, John's father thanked everyone for coming; the Commodore was presented with the 'John Merricks Tiger Club' trophy, newly introduced to encourage greater club participation. A total of 78 clubs were represented in the entries, but most by only one boat. When the Tiger started, John was the only RSC member to take part, this year they had the greatest number and it is hoped that other clubs take this Trophy away from them in the future.

Ian Walker had 'flown in' and he presented three Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing caps to Huw Farmer, Oliver Mills and Morgan Plant, first recipients of the John Merricks Sailing Trust starter boats administered through the RYA OnBoard scheme. This 5 year scheme to supply some 70 Toppers, Optimists, Lasers and Bic Techno boards to young sailors at the very beginning of their sailing was introduced following a discussion at last years dinner when Rod Carr was the guest.

This year's Guest of Honour was Chris Draper who won the trophy 19 years ago. He spoke of his recollections of John and his recent experiences as helm of Luna Rossa in last year's America's Cup. He reflected on the death of Bart Simpson as well and concluded that sailors gathered strength from mutual support in adversity and welcomed the newest 10 year olds sitting next to him. He had brought with him, a shiny silver wetsuit made by Prada, which was auctioned along with other significant items to raise even more money for the Trust. The evening concluded with some vigorous dancing to 'Bodgers Mate'.

Chris Draper (International Moth) during the John Merricks Tiger Trophy at Rutland Water - photo © Alan Gillard

The weather forecast on Sunday was always better than Saturdays and so it proved with perfect sailing conditions for this 2 hour pursuit race in 15 knots of breeze with the odd gust to 20.

SailTracker units were attached to the top 10 of the GJW Direct Sailjuice Winter Series attending as well as representatives of the other classes to give a rough spread of the race online. Trackers were also placed on the marks, lead boat and starter boat. Spectators in the clubhouse could monitor the race on screen as well as being updated by commentary from the lead boat. Visibility from the Club terrace enabled the whole racecourse to be covered.

The race started on time with the Topper of Alex Hughes and William Russell remaining in the lead for nearly half the race before being overtaken firstly by the Miracle of Sam Mettam / Sophie Holden, then the 420 of Tim Riley / James Taylor and the 29er of Ed Connellan / Will Calloway. The 29er pulled past the 420 with about 30 minutes to go and started to pull ahead. Meanwhile, the RS800 of Roger Philips and Will Crocker, 29er of Andrew Kilburn / Hugh Ward and 505 of Andy Smith / Tim Needham and a gaggle of Fireballs led by Dave Wade / Tim Hartley and Musto Skiffs led by Richard Stenhouse were closing in on the slower boats.

Saturday's race winner Matt Burge & Richard Wagstaff (Fireball) during the John Merricks Tiger Trophy at Rutland Water - photo © Alan Gillard

With 45 minutes to go to the end of the race the foiling Moths started and had to "unlap themselves" by 1.5 laps before they even registered on the leader-board. Simon Hiscocks pulled away from Chris Draper and he was literally 'flying' covering a lap in 15 minutes and averaging 22 kts when the average fleet speed was 8.6 kts (data care of SailTracker). Coming towards the end of the race, the Connellan / Alloway 29er had a clear lead but then capsized as they were dropping their kite. At this point, it became a battle between them and the Phillips RS800. At the finish, the 29er won by less than a boat length from the RS800. Andy Smiths 505 had cut through to 3rd place followed very closely by the 29er of Kilburn/Ward and 420 of Riley / Taylor. Wade and Hartley led a strong group of Fireballs and Stenhouse kept his lead on Ben Schooling in the Musto Skiffs.

While the 23 strong race team reconciled the finish at the six possible finish lines, the fleet packed their boats and the trophies and prizes were laid out. Dennis Merricks was on hand to make the presentations and the Tony Everard Trophy (Winner on Saturday) was awarded to Matt Burge and Richard Wagstaff (Fireball-Poole YC). All the other results were dependent on the pursuit so the overall winner of the Tiger Trophy and winner of the John Merricks Pursuit Trophy was Ed Connellan and Will Alloway (29er Rutland SC) sailing for the first time together.

The Junior Trophy (Under 16) was awarded to James Grummett and Daniel Budden (29er Burwain SC) and the Shere Khan Trophy went to Andy Dring and Simon Laken (Laser 2000 Rutland SC). The Lady Tiger Trophy was initially awarded to Lottie Harland (Laser Radial Burghfield / Hayling Island SC), also JMST award winner in 2011, who was one of a small number of girls to finish both races but after further checking, Val Millward (Challenger Rutland SC) was declared the winner.

Rank Class Fleet SailNo Helm Crew Club R1 Nett
1 29er Fast 2117 Ed CONNELLAN Will ALLOWAY Rutland SC/Vr Race Team 3 4
2 420 Slow 54481/54510 Tim RILEY James TAYLOR Warsash 2 7
3 505 Fast 9088 Andy Smith Tim Needham NCSC 7 10
4 Fireball Fast 15093 Matt BURGE Richard WAGSTAFF Poole YC 1 12
5 Fireball Fast 15087 Nathan BATCHELOR James CLARK Tynemouth SC 4 14
6 Fireball Fast 15107 Christian BIRRELL Sam BREAREY 5 17
7 Laser Slow 200888 Henry WETHERELL Beaver SC 6 31
8 Laser 2000 Slow 22508 Andy Dring Simon Laken Rutland SC 14 35
9 Fireball Fast 15085 David HALL Paul CONSTABLE Thorpe Bay YC 21 36
10 Fireball Fast 15089 Ian DOBSON Ben AINSWORTH Smvc 30 44
11 Scorpion Slow 2026 Andy MCKEE Chris MASSEY Dovestone SC 8 49
12 29er Fast 2213 James GRUMMETT Daniel BUDDEN Burwain SC 44 51
13 Laser Slow 202315 Hector SIMPSON Yorkshire Dales SC 9 58
14 Scorpion Slow 2013/2022 Peter GRAY Simon Forbes 17 63
15 Flying 15 Slow 3733 Stephen GRAHAM Andrew FARMER Northampton 10 65
16 Challenger Slow 257 Val MILLWARD Rutland SC 17 67
17 Merlin Rocket Fast 3703 Richard WHITWORTH Emma NORRIS Parkstone YC & Hollingworth Lake 24 68
18 Merlin Rocket Fast 3734 David HAYES Jonny RATCLIFFE Hayling Island Sailing Club 28 71
19 Blaze Slow 678 Rob Jones Warsash 20 73
20 Solo Slow 5302 Michael SIMS Carsington 11 75
21 29er Fast 1249 Kim MAY-PAPAILIOU Aaron REYNOLDS Poole YC 45 78
22 Laser Slow 200906 Craig WILLIAMSON Staunton Harold SC 22 79
23 Merlin Rocket Fast 3709 Tom LONSDALE James DAWES 40 79
24 Solo Slow 5469 Thomas GILLARD Sheffield Viking Sailing Club 12 82
25 Laser Slow 204986 Ed BOLTON KING Rafsa 29 83
26 Enterprise Slow 23310 Matt VELAMAIL Tim BROWNELL Ulley SC 13 84
27 Scorpion Slow 2030 Oli WELLS Rich PEPPERDINE Northampton 23 85
28 RS 200 Slow 667 Sam THOMPSON Leanne HIBBERD Rnsa 25 86
29 RS 200 Slow 1173 Chris LARR Finley BOON Northampton Sailing Club 26 95
30 Scorpion Slow 2017 Jack BANKS Penny JEFFCOATE West Kirby SC 35 95
31 Firefly Slow 3037 Steve Tylecote Elysia Dooley Rutland SC 19 104
32 Laser Slow 77960 Toby WOODINGS Carsington 34 107
33 Enterprise Slow 19876 Alan JOHNSON Paula FISHER Ssc & SCyc 33 109
34 Osprey Fast 1322 Michael GREENLAND Jonathan OSGOOD Iossc 36 110
35 Laser Radial Slow 202176 Daniel WIGMORE Graftham Water 38 113
36 Laser Vago (All configs) Slow 164 Ed DEACON Kathy GERIGHTY Hunts SC 37 128
37 Laser Radial Slow 176839 Lottie HARLAND Burghfied SC / Hisc 39 129
38 Laser Slow 200889 Jack HANSLOPE Beaver SC 43 129
39 Enterprise Slow 22901 Paul YOUNG Phillip HARRISON Midland Sailing Club 41 130
40 Firefly Slow R2 Kit Stenhouse Alex Wilby Rutland SC 27 132
41 Laser Radial Slow 184206 Damon Westwood Rutland SC 42 141
42 RS 800 Fast 1089 Roger PHILLIPS Will CROCKER Emberton Park SC 166 DNC 168
43 29er Fast 2242 Andrew KILBURN Hugh WARD Notts County S C / Rutland S C 166 DNC 170
44 Fireball Fast 15083 Dave WADE Tim HARTLEY Northampton SC 166 DNF 172
45 Musto Skiff Fast 442 Richard Stenhouse Rutland SC 166 DNC 174
46 Musto Skiff Fast 487 Ben SCHOOLING Datchet Water 166 DNC 175
47 420 Slow 54510/54849 Sarah NORBURY Mari DAVIES South Staffordshire SC 166 DNC 179
48 Laser Slow 202448 Alexander JARDINE Shotwick Lake 15 181
49 420 Slow 55169 Arran HOLMAN Cora KENMUIR-HOGG Hollowell 166 DNC 182
50 A Class Fast 55 Phil NEAL Rutland SC 166 DNC 183
51 29er Fast 2121 Lucy YEATES Jamie CATCHPOLE Leigh & Lowton Sailing Club 166 DNF 184
52 505 Fast 8514 Ben ILIFFE Richard SHERIDAN Kgsc 18 184
53 Fireball Fast 15073 Ben HAZELDINE Tim SAUNDERS Frensham Pond Sailing 166 DNC 185
54 Miracle Slow 4051 Sam METTAM Sophie HOLDEN Hayling Island SC 166 DNF 186
55 Merlin Rocket Fast 3749 Nick CRAIG Tobytastic LEWIS Frensham Pond 166 DNC 188
56 29er Fast 1220 Phoebe CONNELLAN Hatty WARD Vr Race Team 166 DNC 189
57 Fireball Fast 15041 Maria RICHARDS Richard ANDERTON Blackwater SC 166 DNC 190
58 International Moth Fast 3985 Simon HISCOCKS Wpnsa 166 DNC 192
59 505 Fast 9063 Mike Senior Norman BYRD Northampton 166 DNF 193
60 A Class Fast 73 Bob Fletcher Rutland SC 166 DNC 194
61 505 Fast 8835 Charlie WALTERS Dougal CRAM Datchet Water Sailing Club 166 DNC 195
62 Merlin Rocket Fast 3758 Jasper BARNHAM Graham SEXTON Snettisham Beach SC 166 DNC 196
63 420 Slow 52230 Ali IRLAND Sam SMITH 166 DNF 197
64 Musto Skiff Fast 432 Tom WRIGHT Stokes Bay 31 197
65 29er Fast 1967 Crispin BEAUMONT Ed HIGSON Bartley 166 DNC 198
66 B14 Fast 4 Josh WILCE Will HALL Rutland SC 32 198
67 Merlin Rocket Fast 3735 David Winder Pippa Taylor Hollingworth Lake 166 DNC 200
68 420 Slow 53966 Jemima LAWSON Lily SUMMERS Emsworth Sailing Club 166 DNF 201
69 29er Fast 2040 Jane FURNESS Molly BROWN Draycote 166 DNC 202
70 A Class Fast 38 Gordon UPTON Rutland SC 166 DNC 203
71 Osprey Fast 1347 Philip MEAKINS Jerry DIXON Hamble River SC 166 DNC 204
72 Challenger Slow 270 Graham HALL Rutland SC 166 DNC 206
73 Hornet Fast 2176 Toby BARSLEY-DALE Gareth RUSSELL Weston SC 166 DNC 208
74 Merlin Rocket Fast 3658 Chris JENNINGS Ally MARTIN Burghfield Sailing Club 166 DNC 211
75 Merlin Rocket Fast 3738 Matt MEE Simon BLAKE Hlsc 166 DNC 213
76 Merlin Rocket Fast 3690 Andrew DALBY Goldie GOULDIE Hsc 166 DNC 214
77 Merlin Rocket Fast 3761 Tom JEFFCOATE Ben RAYNOR Notts County 166 DNF 217
78 Laser 4.7 Slow 183310 Josh HAYNES Trent Valley SC 166 DNC 218
79 Blaze Slow 807 Martin SAVEKER Chase SC 166 DNF 222
80 Flying 15 Slow 3631 Chris WRIGHT Tom WRIGHT Rutland SC 166 DNC 224
81 Merlin Rocket Fast 3744 Chris Murlin Joe Tosh Blithfield SC 166 DNC 225
82 GP14 Slow 13946 Mark FLEMING Seonaid YOUNG South Staffs SC 166 DNC 229
83 RS 800 Fast 200 Andrew BLUNDELL Maddie FENNER Warsash SC 166 DNC 231
84 Osprey Fast 1341 Russell WHEELER Chris SAUNDERS Iossc 166 DNC 232
85 National 12 Slow 3528 Nick COPSEY Kate DEVEREUX 166 DNC 233
86 GP14 Slow 14110 Dave YOUNG Emily COLE EVANS South Staffs Sailing Club 166 DNC 234
87 OK Slow 2150 Charlie CUMBLEY 166 DNF 238
88 International Moth Fast 3967 Chris DRAPER Wpnsa 166 DNC 243
89 Challenger Slow 129 Judi Figgures Rutland SC 166 DNC 244
90 505 Fast 9104 Adam Kenney Neil Rabbitts Burton SC 166 DNC 245
91 Topper Slow 47088 Alex Hughes Sutton SC 166 DNC 246
92 RS 300 Fast 541 Richard CATCHPOLE Leigh & Lowton Sailing Club 166 DNF 247
93 Laser Radial Slow 197716 Alice WOODINGS Carsington 166 DNC 248
94 Finn Slow 52 Will PATTEN Alton Water 166 DNC 249
95 Laser Slow 192722 John WILLIAMS Rutland SC 166 DNC 250
96 Musto Skiff Fast 113 Edward WILKINSON Stokes Bay Sailing Club 166 DNC 253
97 Musto Skiff Fast 333 Tim CHAPMAN Rutland SC 166 DNC 254
98 Laser Vago (SH) Slow 358 Dave BAXTER Yorkshire Dales Sailing Club 166 DNC 258
99 Laser Radial Slow 147097 Nick DEVEREUX Budworth SC 166 DNC 259
100 29er Fast 373 Arthur BROWN Dan PATTEN Rhs 166 DNC 260
101 Laser Radial Slow 203001 Georgia BOOTH Scaling Dam 166 DNC 261
102 Streaker Slow 1837 Robin JONES Hykeham SC 166 DNC 262
103 Enterprise Slow 21978 James MORLEY Rachel Burkit Ulley SC 166 DNC 263
104 Laser Radial Slow 182478 Robert MARSHALL Earlswood Lakes SC 166 DNC 264
105 Solo Slow 5321 Richard NURSE Burton Sailing Club 166 DNC 266
106 Enterprise Slow 23007 Jamie Mawson Laura Moore Ulley SC 166 DNC 267
107 Solo Slow 5138 Patrick OVERS Paxton Lakes SC 166 DNF 268
108 Scorpion Slow 1907 Ian DOOLEY Joanne MAHY Rutland SC 166 DNC 269
109 GP14 Slow 13732 Hugh DEVEREUX Malcolm BIRD Budworth SC 166 DNC 270
110 Laser Slow 31646 Paul BURTON Witham SC 166 DNC 272
111 International Moth Fast 4042 Matthew LEA Gwsc 166 DNC 273
112 Tasar Slow 2517 Gary TOMPKINS Abby FREELEY Hunts SC 166 DNC 274
113 Lark Slow 2507 H Draper Kate Rooke Stokes Bay Sailing Club 166 DNC 275
114 Laser Radial Slow 7 Katy MITCHELL 166 DNC 276
115 Laser Radial Slow 181586 Matthew LUXTON Burton Sailing Club 166 DNC 332
115 Laser Radial Slow 198838 David PAUL Hill Head 166 DNC 332
115 Laser Radial Slow 202464 Will ROBINSON Rutland SC 166 DNC 332
115 Laser Radial Slow 180287 Alex BAILEY 166 DNC 332
115 Laser Slow 198962 Marshall KING Rlymyc 166 DNC 332
115 Europe Slow 381 Dawn Barsley-Dale Weston SC 166 DNC 332
115 Solo Slow 5067 Bernard CLARK Ripon Sailing Club 166 DNC 332
115 Topper Slow 28197 William RUSSELL Paxton Lakes Sailing Club 166 DNC 332
115 Laser Pico Slow 8 Helen SHARP Paxton Lakes Sailing Club 166 DNC 332
115 RS Feva XL Slow 3 Simon BOREHAM Daniel BOREHAM Rutland SC 166 DNC 332
115 Laser 4.7 Slow 200043 Rebecca GRIMSHAW Staunton Harold SC 166 DNC 332
115 420 Slow 54464 Martin WRIGLEY Mathew SHORROCK Cbyc 166 DNF 332
115 National 12 Slow 3412 Christopher TROTH Maria Gidley Olton Mere SC 166 DNC 332
115 Laser Vago (All configs) Slow 1067 John DAVIES Jack DAVIES Wksc 166 DNC 332
115 RS 200 Slow 1535 Tim HAND Carolyn HAND Sutton In Ashfield SC 166 DNC 332
115 Finn Slow 337 Joe SHARP Paxton Lakes Sailing Club 166 DNC 332
115 Finn Slow 4 Russ WARD Loch Venachar 166 DNC 332
115 Wayfarer Slow 10936 Tim CRIPPS Russ CLAY Notts County 166 DNC 332
115 Laser 2000 Slow 21636 Steve ALLOWAY Angie ALLOWAY Rutland SC 166 DNC 332
115 420 Slow 54182 Morgan DIBB Rosie WATKINS Warsash 166 DNC 332
115 420 Slow 55107 Ben JENNINGS Marcus TRESSLER Rutland SC 166 DNC 332
115 420 Slow 54852 Joanna KALDERON Madeleine WATKINS Itchenor 166 DNC 332
115 420 Slow 52069 Robbie KING Ryan ORR Rlymyc 166 DNC 332
115 420 Slow 54483 Ella STOGGALL Emma KINDON Carsington, Cardiff Bay, Staunton 166 DNC 332
115 420 Slow 54164 Scott WALLIS Luke BURYWOOD Spinnaker 166 DNC 332
115 420 Slow 49656 Ed WHATTOFF James RIGBY Rutland SC 166 DNC 332
115 Tasar Slow 2522 Ian BUTTERWORTH Sue BUTTERWORTH Milton Keynes Sailing Club 166 DNC 332
115 RS 100 (All varients) Fast 447 Jack HOLDEN Arun YC 166 DNC 332
115 Merlin Rocket Fast 3698 Graham CRANFORD SMITH Steve PENFOLD Salcombe YC/chew Valley Lake SC 166 DNC 332
115 D-One Fast 6 Vanessa WEEDON-JONES Hunts 166 DNC 332
115 Laser 4000 Fast 4549 David PLOWMAN Simon GADD 166 DNC 332
115 29er Fast 1323 Gus DIXON Lawrence LOGAN Royal Harwich 166 DNC 332
115 29er Fast 1901 Callum ESCRITT Tom CLAYTON Yorkshire Dales Sailing Club 166 DNC 332
115 470 Fast 857 Graham DIBB Graham WALLIS Warsash Sailing Club 166 DNC 332
115 RS 400 Fast 1118 Gary STONES Hannah PARR Lymington Town S.c 166 DNF 332
115 Fireball Fast 14955 Ian ESCRITT Richard CLAYTON Yorkshire Dales S C 166 DNC 332
115 International Moth Fast 4062 Jonathan HEATHCOTE Qmsc 166 DNC 332
115 International Moth Fast 380 James SAINSBURY Grafham SC 166 DNC 332
115 International Moth Fast 4059 Dan WARD Frensham Ponds 166 DNC 332
115 RS 800 Fast 1043 Chris DODD Bryony MEAKINS Rutland SC 166 DNC 332
115 International 14 Fast 1517 Ben MCGRANE James HUGHES Netley 166 DNC 332
115 International Moth Fast 3893 Thomas Lambett Wilsonion SC 166 DNC 332
115 A Class Fast 45 Jamie WALKER Rutland SC 166 DNC 332
115 A Class Fast 39 David LOWE Rutland SC 166 DNC 332
115 Laser 4.7 Slow 72293 Jasmine SMELLIE Northampton SC 166 DNC 332
115 Int Canoe Fast 321 Gareth CALDWELL Blithfield 166 DNC 332
115 Musto Skiff Fast 179 David EVANS Rutland SC 166 DNC 332
115 29er Fast 2024 Luke Berry Henry Morley Rutland SC 166 DNC 332
115 29er Fast 983 Tom JEFFERY Caitlin JONES Rutland SC 166 DNC 332
115 29er Fast 385 Zak MORTON Hannah STOWE Rutland SC 166 DNC 332
115 29er Fast 2025 Matt VENABLES Curtis MEARNS Sutton 166 DNC 332
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