Back at the top with two down, two to go . . . Tom Gillard and Rachael Gray posted two little ducks to take a nine point lead of the 2026 Aspire Merlin Rocket Nationals.
Jon Gorringe and Toby Lewis won the first race (R6) and followed it with a fifth in the next to jump into second overall, tied on 28 pts with Andy Davis and Becky Caiger (5, -12).
The second race (R7) went to Oliver Meadowcroft and Alex Pausey after an 8th in the first, maintaining their 6th place overall.
Given that the forecast for tomorrow looks a bit spicy, the Race Officer has brought the start of the final race forward, with the expectation of racing inside Portland Harbour.
Aspire Merlin Rocket Nationals 2026
– After 8 races, 1 discard, 41 entries – Thu 27 Aug.
1st 3759 Thomas Gillard / Rachael Gray – 19 pts
2nd 3833 Jon Gorringe / Toby Lewis – 28 pts
3rd 3824 Andy Davis / Becky Caiger – 28 pts
4th 3823 Ben Whaley / Chris Martin – 35 pts
5th 3826 Arran Holman / Tom Pygall – 36 pts
6th 3771 Oliver Meadowcroft / Alex Pausey – 42 pts
7th 3793 James Goodfellow / George Major – 53 pts
8th 3827 David Winder / Beka Jones – 65 pts
9th 3727 Mark Stockbridge / James Gifford – 67 pts
10th 3746 James Wells / Lorna Glen – 69 pts
11th 3804 Sam Barker / Ben Rayner – 73 pts
12th 3807 Timothy Saxton / Faye Chatterton – 74 pts