SailJuice Blog

After winning – but not winning – the Bloody Mary pursuit race a few weeks ago, Graham Vials this time really did bag the win at the John Merricks Tiger Trophy aboard his flying Bladerider.

Whereas Queen Mary Sailing Club (that’s near London, for overseas readers) only admits boats with RYA-recognised PY handicap numbers, Rutland Sailing Club gave the Bladerider a nominal handicap of 800. This puts it faster than an International 14, but slower than a 49er.

Now, Graham (pictured above, courtesy of www.ianroman.com) did win the event quite easily on points. So how did other competitors look upon his competing in the Bladerider?

“I think when I turned up on Saturday morning, some people thought I was a bit of a handicap bandit sailing off 800, but I think by the end of… Read the rest