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...Cadets |
Cadet Open Regatta - Rewards for Those Who Wait
If anyone has a good working relationship with the weather gods,
could they let us have their contact details, please?
Saturday was, well, rather breezy with 22 knots plus of wind causing
a cancellation by our OOD Richard Dobson.
Two RS400s and the Keen’s Vago got nicely out of the river, only to
be nearly flattened by the weather. The two Jacks in the red Holden
RS went flying about awaiting the remnants of the fleet to leave the
beach. Meanwhile, the female crew of the Renson RS got into a spot
of bother. The two Vickis (yes, two boats crewed by identically
named boys and girls - spooky) found themselves in shallows after
jibing, with the mast trying to drill itself into the sand bottom.
This made righting the craft a little difficult, but help was on
hand and they sailed back to the safety of the river. The Toppers
and Laser remained in the river and did not see the racecourse at
all.
Sunday saw fewer cadets but the sun shone and the wind had abated
enough for a good three-race series to be run. An RS400, Vago,
Laser, and 2 Toppers came out to race. The RS400 with Jack Munnelly
and Jack Holden seemed to have the upper hand all afternoon. Richard
Keen and Arthur Chebernaud in the Vago had spinnaker problems and
took a number of swimming lessons, without which they might have
given the RS boys a better run for their money. Jordan Gosine in the
club Laser confounded the sceptics by almost staying onboard for all
3 races, hanging on and out for all he was worth.
The Toppers had the toughest time, with Alice Gosine succumbing to
the waves and wind after a tenacious upwind leg on the first race.
Miss Georgina Hughes mastered the growing seas, wind, and tide to
last right through the 3-race series, only to have her mast break on
the very last lap as she was leading the race.
The afternoon finished with prize giving, with Nick Clare and Cadet
Captain, Jade Fenner, doing the honours. Prizes were awarded to the
first Topper (Georgina), the third boat (Jordan), the second boat (
Richard and Arthur), and the first boat and overall winner (Jack and
Jack).
Two safe and fun days run by an enthusiastic team of helpers for a
small, but energetic and committed group of cadets. Keep up the
great work.
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Click here to view or download this article in PDF format.
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...and from the OOD (the official version!)...
Saturday dawned bright and sunny with a forecast of 4-5, locally 6.
Perhaps that is why only 6 boats entered for the regatta.
I
decided to lay a simple windward-leeward course but with two of the
more experienced boats already in difficulties before the start, and
the wind gusting 23 knots, decided to abandon for the day. Sunday
saw slightly reduced wind strength and the same course was laid with
3 shorter races scheduled to try and make up for the lost day.
All
3 races were won by Jack Munnelly and Jack Holden in Dick Holden's
RS400. They were chased hard at times by Richard Keen and Arthur
Chabernauld in the Laser Vago but numerous capsizes put paid to the
Vago's chances. The last race of the day saw a very tight start with
the first 3 boats all crossing the start line within 8 seconds of
the gun. Georgina Hughes sailed her Topper superbly in weather not
really suited to the boat and was leading on handicap at the end of
lap one when her mast snapped just above the deck putting paid to
her heroic efforts.
Jordan Gosine moved his lanky frame from a Topper into a Laser
Radial and the extra space suited him very well as he recorded some
of his best results to date. Get Dad to buy you one of your own,
Jordan, and you'll soon be mixing it with the best. He can always
paint "Wisborough Kitchens" on the sail and claim the tax relief
!!!!
Why
so few entries. Ideas on the forum, please!