Cadet Munster Cup at Tamesis Club

Munster Cup at Tamesis © John Dunkley

Munster Cup at Tamesis © David Elliott

Andrew Smith and Rory Burdock win

Andrew Smith of the Royal Lymington YC crewed by Rory Burdock of Frensham Pond SC won the Munster Cup at Tamesis Club's Cadet open meeting on Saturday 15 May on a day of light and erratic winds that shifted from the north west to west and gave a clear-wind bonus to any boat that was able to break away from the rest of the 11 boat fleet. Sailing Glue String Pudding (9243) on the Thames at Teddington, they saw off a close challenge from Caroline Croft and Jacob Payne from Frensham Pond SC in Wave Rider (7274). Noah Gerber and Noah Mountstephen of Tamesis were third in Noah's Ark (7628).

Smith and Burdock scored a second in the longer morning race and had two firsts in the afternoon, counting the best two of the three races. Croft and Payne had a first in the morning and two seconds in the afternoon. The fleet was so eager to get off to a good start that a general recall was flagged in the second race, with at least five boats over the line, and there were individual recalls in the other races.

Race Officers Peter Simpson and Brian Timbrell sent the first race on three rounds of a longer straight up and down course to Lensbury with the Canbury upriver mark not far beyond the start line. The overall length of the course was shortened for the two afternoon races, with with an east-west dogleg opposite the clubhouse to take account of the westerly shift in the wind. Only 10 boats competed in the second race and nine in the third.

The prizes were presented by Carolyne Vines, Rear Commodore Sailing, and the event was part of the Ian Craig Trophy series.

Report from David Elliott

Eleven Cadets entered this year’s Tamesis Open Meeting for the Munster Cup. Five club boats were joined by six visitors from Frensham Pond, Royal Lymington and South Cerney, including two members of this year’s UKNCCA National Squad. Racing took place on the stretch of river immediately in front of the clubhouse affording parents and spectators a close-up view of the racing. Three races were scheduled with a discard kicking in with the third race.

A long race was held in the morning comprising three downstream/upstream loops in a F2 north-westerly wind. Andrew Smith & Rory Burdock from Frensham Pond in 9243 Blue String Pudding led at the top mark, but by the end of the first circuit, Caroline Croft & Jacob Payne from Frensham Pond in 7274 Wave Rider had taken the lead from Andrew & Rory with Tamesis pairing Noah Gerber & Noah Mountstephen third in 7628, temporarily named Noah’s Ark for the day. Once established, the top three boats maintained their positions for two further loops to finish in the same order.

Two shorter races incorporating two mid-stream marks within the downstream/upstream loops were held after lunch. The first race of the afternoon started in a F2-3 north-westerly. Andrew & Rory led off the line followed by Caroline & Jacob with Charlie Whyte & Issie Spiers from the host club in 8333 Sizzerin’ Hot third. With an extended lead, Andrew & Rory were able to play the wind shifts to take first place. Caroline & Jacob held on to second with Jodok Gerber & Morgan Evans from Tamesis in 7625 third.

Going into the final race, Caroline & Jacob and Andrew & Rory were both on three points. In the lightest of winds, South Cerney pairing Martha Haslam & Aqil Jannaty in 8291 Aslan led off the line from Caroline & Jacob. Andrew & Rory had a disastrous start and were last away. By the top mark, Caroline & Jacob had a built up a useful lead, only to be overtaken by Andrew & Rory, who in turn gave back the lead taking a penalty on a mark. Andrew & Rory made the best of the shifty wind to lead at the end of the first circuit and held on to take victory as the race was shortened. Caroline & Jacob finished second with Noah & Noah third in 7628.

With the discard kicking in, Andrew & Rory received the Munster Cup with two bullets to their credit. Caroline & Jacob were runners-up, with Noah & Noah third, one point ahead of Jodok & Morgan.

Overall Results: