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.

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