Cherub Nationals at Lee-on-the-Solent Sailing Club - Overall
by Phil Kirk 21 Aug 2011 19:46 BST
16-19 August 2011
With three teams still in a position to win the trophy there was everything to play for on the final day of the 2011 Cherub nationals. Paul and Mat in Antidote had proved to be fast in the breeze While Andy and Jill in Usagi where devastatingly quick in the light conditions. Or could it be the father and son team of Graham and Eddie Bridle who had scored well in all conditions so far. The fleet were greeted with champagne conditions of 10-12 knots and a race officer determined to deliver the full programme of racing. This meant 5 races!
Race 1 started in slightly lighter conditions which helped Phil and Sarah Kirk to get round the first mark in the lead only to capsize whilst hoisting their kite. Andy and Gill Peters capitalised and built a strong lead to win the race.
Graham and Eddie took race two from Andy and Jill. Dean Ralph and Simon Jones finished 3rd a position that they would keep for the rest of the day. Paul and Mat were consistently in 4th. Tom Kiddle and Tom Bruton (known by the fleet as Tom-Tom) were starting strongly and found the quickest route to the windward mark in two races. Lower down the fleet, Jo and Beth kept Flat Stanley flying all day and were really enjoying the conditions.
When the Race Officer put up 3 laps for the final race some of the tired crews groaned with despair. ‘That's three more hoists' one was heard to say. But it also meant three more glorious kite runs. More seriously the three championship contenders were as close on points as any point in the event and the title would be decided on the last race. Graham and Eddie sailed strongly, as they had all week, winning the race and the championship.
Lee on Solent held a fantastic presentation meal where the 2011 champions were crowned. Graham thanked the club for all their efforts in running the championship and hosting the class, including excellent race management, rescue, beach crew and catering. Despite being on the water for 6 hours the sailors still had the energy to keep the bar busy.
Photos of the event can be found at www.eddiemays.com
Overall Results:
| Pos | Helm | Crew | Boat Name | Club | Pts |
|---|
| 1 | Graham Bridle | Eddie Bridle | Riot Van | Brightlingsea SC. | 13 |
| 2 | Andy Peters | Jeraldine Peters | Usagi Jumbio | Queen Mary SC. | 18 |
| 3 | Paul Croote | Mathew Kiddle | Antidote to Panel Games | Chew Valley SC. | 21 |
| 4 | Dean Ralph | Simon Jones | Elenor | Whitstable SC. | 31 |
| 5 | Phil Kirk | Sarah Kirk | E-Numbers | Thornbury SC. | 44 |
| 6 | Dave Roe | Wendy Fox | The Pasta Frenzy | Burfield SC. | 52 |
| 7 | Stu Tinner | Nick Pratt | Ronin | UKCCOA | 53 |
| 8 | Tom Kiddle | Tom Bruton | Atum Bom | Whitstable SC. | 65 |
| 9 | Roland Trim | Hayley Trim | Exultant Jubilation | Thornbury SC. | 79 |
| 10 | Dave Ching | Lara Ching | Shiny Beast | Poole YC. | 92 |
| 11 | Richard Hattersley | Emma Hattersley | Loco Perro | Poole YC. | 98 |
| 12 | William Lee | Lucy Lee | Fubar | Whitstable YC. | 108 |
| 13 | Ben Buttler | Claire Allen | Slippery When Wet | North Staffs SC. | 112 |
| 14 | Jo Coomber | Beth Barnes | Flat Stanley | Weir Quay SC. | 130 |
| 15 | John Hamilton | Digby Still | Antidephobia | Draycot SC | 136 |
| 16 | Andrew Whapshott | Stu Moore | Born Slippy | Hawley Lake SC. | 138 |
| 17 | Jim Barnes | - | Wanderous | Weir Lake SC. | 167 |
| 18 | Laurence Trim | Harriot or Isla Trim | Sargent Murphy | UKCCOA | 169 |