Merlins Boost the Snowflake Fleet
Published 19:30 on 19 Jan 2026
Sunday 18 January
Grey skies, mild temperatures and a light northeasterly F3 breeze set the scene for Races 3 and 4 of the Snowflake Series. Although conditions were gentle, both fleets produced competitive, disciplined racing, with the quality of the fast fleet, particularly the Merlin Rockets, very evident throughout the day.
Race 3
Race Officer Nick Colbourne set a trapezium course for the morning, with the committee boat positioned beyond the end of the Birdham Channel. The fleet headed northeast toward the clubhouse before a reach across the lake and a run down the far side.
The fast fleet, featuring a strong turnout of Merlins, RS400s and Hadrons, pushed the line hard and triggered a general recall. The medium fleet, by contrast, got away cleanly. As the race progressed, the forecast wind shift arrived, turning what had been a final reach into a beat, rewarding those who adapted early.
Fast Fleet Race 3
Despite the strong turn out of Merlin Rockets , it was the RS400 of Jack Holden that set the quickest elapsed time, though the win on corrected went to Ben and Roz McGrane in Merlin 3739, finishing in 40:45.
Close behind, Caroline and Chris Gould (Merlin 3764) took third, with Tim Saxton and Holly MacArthur (Merlin 3807) in fourth. Further down the order, the Hadron H2 of Paul Walker and the Tasar of Matt Johnston & Claire Power both sailed tidy races to place midfleet on corrected time.
Medium Fleet Race 3
The medium fleet enjoyed a clean start and steady racing in the shifting breeze.
The 2000s were the boats to beat, with Adrian and Roz Stell taking a clear win on corrected time (42:24), ahead of Jason Noble in the RS Aero 7 and Iain & Sarah Yardley in another 2000.
A wellsailed Graduate from Catherine Hemsley & Sian Bray took fifth, while the Aero 7s of Mark Ruddington and Thomas Twist also featured strongly.
Race 4
With the first race completed, the patrol boats reset the course promptly. The start line was moved between Birdham and Heron, with the windward mark positioned close to Birdham Pool.
Once again, the fast fleet pressed the line, and at least one boat returned to clear a penalty. As the race developed, the wind softened, never disappearing but becoming light enough that the tide played a significant role—particularly on the long beats and approaches to marks.
Fast Fleet Race 4
This time the RS400s made their presence felt, with Jack Holden taking a wellearned win in 58:35 corrected. Caroline and Chris Gould's Merlin Rocket was second, followed by a tight group of Merlins from Christian & Jacintha Hamilton Love, Ben & Roz McGrane, and Tim Saxton & Holly MacArthur.
Across the top fifteen, ten places were filled by Merlins, underlining the strength and competitiveness of the class within the Snowflake Series. The RS200 of Rob Henderson & Rebecca Videlo and the Tasar of Johnston & Power also produced strong correctedtime results in the lighter breeze.
Medium Fleet Race 4
The medium fleet completed four laps, with the 2000s again proving consistent performers.
Adrian and Roz Stell repeated their Race 3 victory with a corrected time of 45:47. Mark Ruddington (RS Aero 7) took second, while Alex Butler in the Solo sailed an excellent race to secure third.
The Bailey family in the 2000 and the ILCA 6 of James Stewart shared fifth place on equal points. The fleet remained tightly packed throughout, with corrected times reflecting close racing despite the fading wind.
After Racing
With both races completed, many sailors headed to The Sloop for hot pasties and carvery baps, before some continued on to the CYC bar for a wellearned drink—an enjoyable end to a day of competitive but goodnatured winter racing.
The next Snowflake is on Sunday 1st February, visitors are very welcome.
