Cadet Open at West Kirby Sailing Club
by Paul Colquitt 15 Jun 2015 14:35 BST
6-7 June 2015
West Kirby Cadet Open © Paul Colquitt
Roller coaster to champagne sailing in a weekend!
The WKSC Cadet Open 2015 had plans for 2 days of racing (Saturday tidal, Sunday on The Marine lake), the weather was not going to alter these plans. The visitors duly arrived to take in the views and the atmosphere, amazed at what a beautiful venue West Kirby was. The weather had different ideas though; strong gusts and a 6ft swell (wind over tide) were there to greet them.
So in the style of Jeremy Clarkson: Some may say that Cadet sailors are made of stern stuff, some may say they are a trifle mad, they may be right!
After a quick swap round of crews to suit conditions 10 Cadets launched into the challenging seas, only 6 made it the start line. Race one got off to a flying start with GBR 8561 Alex and James Colquitt first to the windward mark, would anyone dare to fly the kite, yes! GBR 8561 gaining a commanding lead over its nearest rival. Lap one went to the home boat, however lap two saw them go for a swim dashing their hopes of a win. GBR 9963 decided to join in the fun with Aliya and Aqil Jannaty also going for a dip, they did come back up with a dry boat though showing that GRP does have advantages. GBR 9050 Jamie & Bettine Harris took the more cautious approach tacking around the gybe mark and leaving the spinnaker in its bag, on the day caution paid off and they finished the race in 1st place.
Round 1 to the visitors, prizes (for nerves of steel and courage) to the home boat.
Day 1 Results:
1st GBR 9050, Jamie & Bettine Harris
2nd GBR 9963, Aliya & Aqil; Jannaty
3rd GBR 9317, Aaron Chadwick & Rosie Targett
4th GBR 8561, Alex & James Colquitt
5th GBR 9077, Simon Hall & Ernie Cockram (Feva squad sailors)
DNF GBR 8289, Rob Giardelli & Ella Marston
It is worth noting that all 6 are (or have been) squad sailors.
A quick conflab between Allen Gregory/Peter Williams(RO's), Mike Mayhew (Safety) & Steve Jardine (Welsh RYA Director) and the racing was duly abandoned for the day.
The visiting sailors were now treated to a welcome tour around the lake, West Kirby sailing club and a tasty indoor BBQ. The excitement was still tangible, great tales of high seas, capsizes and even a video of Aqils exploits, a great day for all to remember. In years to come, the wave's will have been 15ft high and the wind will have been at least 40 knots, but for now it made for great dreams of adventure.
Day two came in with brilliant sunshine, 18'c and a NW 10/12knots breeze, you couldn't ask for anything more. With 4 races to fit in to the schedule, an early start was required. The first race of the day saw GBR 8561 take the lead but by lap 2 GBR 9050 reading the shifts, pulled ahead to win.The racing was now getting tighter with Aliya & Aqil getting some great starts and Arron & Rosie snapping at the the leaders heels throughout. The final race of the day finished with literally inches between the lead boats, their crews blowing into their spinnakers to give imagined hopes of an advantage.
Overall Results: (top six, 12 entries)
1st GBR 9050, Jamie & Bettine Harris, 5pts
2nd GBR 8561, Alex & James Colquitt, 6pts
2nd GBR 9963, Aliya & Aqil; Jannaty, 10pts
4th GBR 9317, Aaron Chadwick & Rosie Targett, 15pts
5th GBR 6901, Ella Marston & George Colquitt, 1st U13 yrs
6th GBR 9077, Ernie Cockram & Simon Hall, Most Improved
On to the prize giving which was generously sponsored by Simon Butterworth of Virtual Rigging, a good and long time friend to both Cadets and WKSC.
An acceptance speech from Jamie Harris and a promise that both he and Bettine would be back at WKSC for the 2016 Cadet open followed the prize giving, then the feeding frenzy began as sailors raced off to be first to the party table, this was won by James Colquitt (there's a surprise!).
A great weekend, great sailing and many more friends made across the sailing fraternity.
A big thank you to all our helpers, the event wouldn't have been the great success it was without you.
Now to plan 2016!