Tom Gillard and Rachael Gray are the Merlin Rocket 2026 National Champions with a race to spare.
Nevertheless they did turnout for the final race, which with the wind building was an exhilarating affair with crews behind the hoop all the way down the run . . . Even in Portland Harbour there were big waves.
Tom Stewart and Rob Allen took the final win, with second Jon Gorringe and Toby Lewis and third Ben Whaley and Chris Martin.
Gillard and Gray were fourth, and finished the championship counting a 1, 1, 5, 1, 2, 2, 4 score for 16 pts.
Second overall were Jon Gorringe and Toby Lewis, and third Andy Davis and Becky Caiger.
The next major event for the class is the 80th anniversary celebrations at Upper Thames Sailing Club on 5th September, tickets are available here
Aspire Merlin Rocket Nationals 2026
– Final After 9 races, 2 discard, 41 entries.
1st 3759 Thomas Gillard / Rachael Gray – 16 pts
2nd 3833 Jon Gorringe / Toby Lewis – 23 pts
3rd 3824 Andy Davis / Becky Caiger – 24 pts
4th 3823 Ben Whaley / Chris Martin – 30 pts
5th 3826 Arran Holman / Tom Pygall – 32 pts
6th 3771 Oliver Meadowcroft / Alex Pausey – 43 pts
7th 3793 James Goodfellow / George Major – 53 pts
8th 3834 Thomas Stewart / Rob Allen – 54 pts
9th 3746 James Wells / Lorna Glen – 60 pts
10th 3827 David Winder / Beka Jones – 65 pts