Braving the cold

Despite freezing conditions forecast, competitors are encourage to make this weekend's Tiger Trophy

With freezing conditions forecast, it should be remembered that it is a tradition with the Tiger Trophy that the event goes ahead whatever the weather conditions. This was established from the very first regatta before global warming turned our winters into gentle chills.

Then, John Merricks won the event with the weather so cold that a sheet of ice was formed on the jib, which hit the crew every time they tacked. John, who never wore gloves, was able to demonstrate to the race committee as a method of speeding them up that his hand had frozen to his main sheet. That year, hot drinks were dispensed as the crews came ashore.

Rutland Challenge was not only the name of the 420 he was sailing at the time, it was also the event title, The Rutland Challenge for the Tiger Trophy. It is still a challenge for everyone and it was dedicated to John’s memory after his death.

At least half the monies raised over the week-end regatta and Tiger Dinner at the Club on Saturday night will go directly to the John Merricks Sailing Trust. This charity was set-up to carry on another tradition, that of helping young sailors get established in the sport. John himself had been helped by Tony Everard, a Rutland Sailing Club member and local brewer.

The weather looks promising for the weekend with a moderate northwesterly breeze on Saturday dropping steadily into Sunday and coming round to the southwest. The sun could even make an appearance on both days.

Ian Walker, Skipper of Green Dragon in the Volvo Ocean Race and principle trustee of the Trust, sent an encouraging message from Qingdao to everyone helping and taking part. Hopefully, his experiences on the leg from Singapore, ‘life at the extreme’ will not be as extreme for all those sailors taking part on Rutland Water this weekend.