Sail Chat 19-Sep - Vintage Merlin Open

Hampton Merlin Rocket De May and Thames Series

Saturday 19th & Sunday 20th September 2026

De May Vintage Series sponsored by Craftinsure

www.craftinsure.com

Thames Series sponsored by Rowsell Sails

www.rowsellsails.co.uk

Over the weekend of 19th and 20th September, Hampton Sailing Club hosted two

days of Merlin Rocket racing, with the De May Vintage Series on Saturday followed

by the Thames Series on Sunday.

Saturday De May Vintage Series

Saturday's forecast was for a light to moderate W to WSW breeze, with gusts of

2025 mph. The wind direction was ideal, providing a course that ran almost directly

up and down the river. At times, however, the stronger gusts made for some

challenging and entertaining sailing much to the enjoyment of the spectators.

On arrival, competitors and the duty team were greeted with welcome bacon rolls,

tea and coffee. Five Hampton boats were joined by two visiting boats from Chew

Valley Lake Sailing Club and Thames Sailing Club.

Following a briefing from Principal Race Officer Derek May, the start of Race 1 was

delayed until noon to allow the visitors, who had been held up on the M4, time to

arrive and rig.

The conditions provided an upriver beat followed by a long run downriver. Stuart

Jenkins and Nicola Scaddan in Flinkidink 1097 (Passing Cloud design) made the

early running, with John Heath and Richard Parslow in Quiver 774 (Martine design)

in close pursuit, followed by the rest of the fleet.

Stuart and Nicola led to the windward mark and down the run but were overtaken

just before the bottom mark. John and Richard then began to pull away from Stuart

and Nicola, with Richard Page and James Warren in Restless IV 1222 (Proctor Mark

IX design) and the chasing pack in pursuit.

Sadly for Richard and James, their race took an unexpected turn while rounding the

top mark on the second lap. Finding themselves together on the same side of the

boat in a patch of no wind, they capsized. This allowed Stuart and Nicola to resume

their pursuit of John and Richard.

For the next hour, the two leading boats remained closely matched. However, at the

final mark, John and Richard picked up weed, allowing Stuart and Nicola to sail past

on the final beat and take the win.

Race 1 results:

1. Stuart Jenkins & Nicola Scaddan Flinkidink 1097

2. John Heath & Richard Parslow Quiver 774

3. Ollie & Emily Houseman Luka 3560

4. Hywel & Arthur Bowen-Perkins Elusive 3347

Ollie Housemanm and 11 year old Emily Houseman sailed Luka 3560 (Passing

Cloud 2000 design) to an excellent third place, while 11 year old Arthur Bowen-

Perkins and Hywel finished fourth in Elusive 3347 (NSM2 design).

During lunch, Stuart reminded competitors that whoever finished third overall would

be responsible for writing the event report. Little did he know that this announcement

would come back to haunt him!

After an excellent lunch, Race 2 got underway. There were several position changes

on the first beat and run, but after the opening lap the fleet settled into their positions,

with John and Richard leading for much of the race.

Race 2 results:

1. John Heath & Richard Parslow Quiver 774

2. Ollie & Emily Houseman Luka 3560

3. Richard Page & James Warren Restless IV 1222

4. Stuart Jenkins & Nicola Scaddan Flinkidink 1097

With the top three overall places still very much up for grabs, Race 3 followed after a

short break for liquid refreshments.

Ollie and Emily got off to an excellent start and were chased by John and Richard,

with Stuart and Nicola close behind. The Housemans soon established a

commanding lead, leaving the crews of Quiver and Flinkidink to battle for second

and third.

On the final beat, Stuart and Nicola closed rapidly on John and Richard.

However, Quiver held on and crossed the finishing line just ahead of Flinkidink.

The final race results left Ollie and Emily as worthy winners of the De May Vintage

Series, with John and Richard second, Stuart and Nicola third, and Richard and

James fourth overall.

De May Vintage Series Overall Results

1. Ollie & Emily Houseman Luka 3560

2. John Heath & Richard Parslow Quiver 774

3. Stuart Jenkins & Nicola Scaddan Flinkidink 1097

4. Richard Page & James Warren Restless IV 1222

The day concluded with tea, homemade cakes and prize-giving, hosted by Hampton

Sailing Club Commodore Sarah Rolfe and Merlin Class Captain Andrew Mills. Later

that evening, competitors and friends enjoyed an excellent curry supper at the club.

Last updated 5:16pm on 27 September 2026