Gill / Harken / Seamark Nunn Cadet Week at Waldringfield - Days 1 & 2

GILL / Harken / Seamark Nunn Cadet Week at Waldringfield © Andrew Nunn

A fantastic entry of 33 Cadets plus a small posse of Laser Radials arrived at Waldringfield SC for the annual Cadet Week Regatta, supported for the 9th year running by Gill, Harken and local chandlery Seamark Nunn. Each competitor was given a goodie bag at registration with branded rash vests, hull stickers, whistles and other assorted freebies provided by the sponsors.

Day 1

With beautiful warm sunshine and a decent F2-3 breeze, the sailors launched for race 1. Cara Bland and Ines Green (WSC) in 9962 sailed faultlessly to win the first race from Megan Ferguson and Yasmin Sfaxi from Frensham Pond in 10002 with Katie Spark and Connor Line third in 9983 (WSC). Katie and Connor improved in race 2 to win with Cara and Ines in second place and Megan and Yasmin third. After lunch the fleet ventured out again with slightly more breeze, race officer Matt White set a windward plus zigzag downwind course. Once again, Cara and Ines showed terrific speed to win by a comfortable margin while Hattie and Hamish Collingridge in 9877 (WSC), after a poor start, pulled up through the fleet to come second. Ellie Wootton and Amelia Mayhew 9876 (WSC) recovered from being black flagged in race 2 to take third.

So after day one and three races, Cara and Ines led the fleet, followed by Megan and Yasmin with Katie and Connor in third place.

In the Laser radial fleet, ex cadet Ed Harris scored two firsts and a second but was being chased hard by Louie Lappage from Fishers Green SC and Archie Goodhead (WSC).

Meanwhile the Cadets silver fleet were being coached by ex Cadet Emily Bland, set to join the racing on day 3.

Day 2

The morning saw many parents recovering from the previous evening's cocktail party but the Cadet sailors were all raring to go at the 9.30am briefing. The fleet launched but racing was shortly abandoned after the breeze failed to hold up. Racing was postponed until late afternoon but kayak racing ensued to fill in the time.

Race four finally got underway in a gentle F1-2 and this time Hattie and Hamish Collingridge showed the way around the race track to take the win from Megan and Yasmin and Ellie and Amelia in third. The race committee managed to squeeze in another race in before the sun set with Hattie and Hamish demonstrating awesome lightwind speed to take another win from Ellie and Amelia with Megan and Yasmin in third place.

Cara and Ines scored a fourth and a fifth to leave them equal in points with the Collingridges so all to play for on day three.

In the Laser Radial fleet Ed Harris consolidated his lead with another two firsts, with Louie and Archie both taking a second each on the day.

Tomorrow will see 2 more points races followed by 2 fun races to be sailed in Pirate Fancy Dress, which includes dressing up your boat!