Hardest nationals to win?

As winner of 5 of the last 6 Cherub nationals, I would say that for me, it has been quite easy to win.
2005 - 7 firsts of 7, in 2004 - 9 firsts of 9. - and mostly by 2-3 minutes clear.

However for the rest of the fleet, that means that it was almost impossible to win!

( and on a related rant re the foiling cherub article in Y&Y -
pipped - definition - defeated at the last moment

Quote " Ben/Daryl pipped into 2nd place by Andy P"
Dream on Daryl.

Andy's results ... seven firsts of seven.
Ben/Daryl's results ... a solitary first, + an assortment of 2nds, 3rds etc
more like complete domination of the whole fleet by Andy P and Tom G. )

what does Tom think about how easy it was?

In development classes, it's not just the sailing that counts - it makes it easy if your boat is faster. - which comes from careful consideration of design and construction.

It is possible to buy a ready to win Cherub, but at ~£13k, there aren't many ( any ) customers.

The reasons why I might be the champ -

Immense skill ( obviously )
lots of practice
The best boat
a bit of luck.

The boat bit is important here
My boat is the lightest all-up, and also carries the heaviest correctors ( and some new boats are significantly overweight )
The boat and rig is tuned for the average windspeed ie 10-15kts. Early planing in 10kts wind gives a massive advantage.
The crew weight is suited to the boat.
Lots of practice - this is my 32nd year of cherub sailing, so i must have many hours of sailing time.
It's much easier sailing in clear wind at the front, and luck just happens when you're ahead.

But now I've sold the boat!

So it won't be easy at all to win this year.

I hope the new owners will get to grips with it, but i am confident they will have a good chance of continuing the wiining streak.


Other classes ?

I did a breakthrough design int moth Axeman , and finished 3rd in my second year mothing ( which was good for a noob ) - but the design got 'borrowed', so it took a while - ~ 10 years - to get back near the front, but only got to runner up before i got too old!

I had an invisible first in the pico nationals ( sailing my son's boat )

Int Canoe ... coming soon.


new avatar ... IC in red!

Edited by I luv Wight

p.s.

For the last 3 years I have been crewing my daughter, who can't sail this year, hence my modest expectations as a helm - however

any hot shots, who would like to try and do better than 15th and get best newcommer, if you have won the nationals in another class or nearly, and want helm and to borrow me as crew and my boat (March 2006, latest modifications, same as 2005 nat champ & 2006 Salcombe week winners boat), let me know.

Originally posted by Alan F Steve Cockerill is RS300 National Champion, Blaze National Champion, UK Laser Masters National Champion (Std rig), Laser Masters Worlds 2nd Apprentice (Radial rig), Laser Radial National Champion. In the 2005 Merlin Rockets at Hayling Island, he came 15th Overall, winning best new comer (best result a 6th overall). Out of 76 boats. Come to Tenby 5th August and give it a go, see how competitive the Merlins are. http://www.merlinrocket.co.uk/  Infact I'm looking for a crew, Private Message me if interested. (Brand New Merlin, would be pleased to get 40th out of 80.)

Many previous examples show that a Laser sailor of Steve's ability or  better, a triple World Fireball champ, or someone of that calibre would finish in almost exactly the same position (as a % of the fleet) in our Tasar State titles as Steve did in the MRs. Does that mean that the Tasar here is more competitive than Lasers and 'Balls, and as competitive as the MR's biggest regatta? Hell no! It's just a different boat.

A former world Soling and J/24 champ said he'd spend 3 years getting to club level in Lasers. Does that mean that the level at that ordinary club's Laser fleet was more competitive than the entire world's Soling and J/24 fleets? Hell no! It's just a different boat!

The World A Class champ did the Radial states and got 5th last. Does that mean that all but 4 of the Laser Radial fleet are better sailors than all the A Class sailors? Hell no! It's just a different boat!

If I put most Laser sailors of Steve's (great) ability into some sailing classes/disciplines I know, I can guarantee very few would get in the top 20% in their first regatta, like Steve did in Merlins. They probably wouldn't make the second mark. Does that prove that these classes or disciplines are more competitive than Merlins? Hell no! They're just different.

In fact I'd bet Ainslie, Robertson, Connor and Elvstrom at his peak wouldn't actually get through the competition in some of these disciplines or classes, and may well break his or her body, mast and sail.

Does that mean that the classes or disciplines that would punish Ainslie et al is more competitive than the Finns, Lasers, Stars, Europes or America's Cup????
Or does it just mean that some kit is easier to adapt to than others?

Out of interest, how did the top Merliner go in his first Laser nationals?


Edited by CT249

I quite agree with CT249. All the classes Steve has dominated have been singled handed. For Steve to be able to perform as well in a double handed class he would require a crew who is a good a sailor as he is...

I think the higher performance the boat the more vital the crews role is... You are never going to win the 49er Worlds with a scratch crew!!!  (In fact you probably shouldn't even bother turning up...)

Edited by Jon Emmett