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UK Cherub Nationals at Pwllheli Sailing Club - Overall

by Phil Alderson 3 Sep 2012 12:59 BST 21-24 August 2012
UK Cherub Nationals at Pwllheli © Andy Green / www.fotoboat.com

  • 23 boats
  • 5 father-son teams
  • 8 husband-wife teams
  • 1 pair of brothers
  • 1 pair of brothers-in-law
  • Lots of good friends
Whilst big breeze might have been on most of the Cherub fleet's wish list for the Nationals, big waves were probably not - but that's what they got for the first two days. The race officer managed to get 5 races in, but for many it was survival sailing and it was the '97 rules boats with slightly smaller sails which were really enjoying themselves. After day 1, Phil and Carol Alderson (AKA Team Scotland) were lying in first place, Clive Everest and son Alex in second and Graham and Eddie Bridle, last year's father –son winning team in third. With further success on day two, Clive and 11 year old Alex were leading, the form book had apparently gone out of the window and the challenge was laid. However conditions on days 3 and 4 were much more benign and it turned out that Graham and Eddie had just been teasing everyone after all - they found their groove and won the last 6 races to take the championship in style and retain the Simpson Cup.

There was intense racing between the '97 rules fleet (smaller sails, generally speaking single wire and no t-foil) all week. Born Slippy reveled in the windy conditions under the experienced hands of Stu Hopson and Ben Howett. Comfortably Numb and Madge both crewed by husband-wife teams were in the mix, Madge sporting more than just a smart new paint job – she had fittings and a mast for the first time in years. Ade and Joe White, yet another father-son team, enjoyed their first nationals and showed some good speed in the beautifully refurbed Sweet Dreamz. The gentler conditions of days 3 and 4 allowed the speed of Pasta Frenzy to shine through, but despite their late surge, Stu Tinner and guest crew Becky Goodwin couldn't overhaul Born Slippy in the final results.

It was a tough week of conditions for crews and boats. The boats stood up well, and the crews did their best, but unfortunately some extreme Welly Wanging during Pwllheli Beach Olympics resulted in a badly dislocated shoulder for Paul Clements.

Pwllheli Sailing Club provided excellent hospitality all week and the fleet particularly enjoyed the prize giving dinner. The Welsh weather had still not finished with us and made its presence felt with a thunder storm that almost drowned out the cheering, and rain that threatened the integrity of the marquee. The traditional Cherub prizes were awarded alongside the standard glassware. The Davey for the most spectacular capsize of the week was hotly contested given the sea state, but was ultimately awarded to Tim and Kate Noyce in Comfortably Numb for the reaction elicited from the nearby rib driver "I thought you were going to land in my boat". The prize for the most beautiful boat went to Marmite, built by Aardvark and owner Paul Croote, and the Phoenix for the best restoration to Ade and Joe White for their superb job on Sweet Dreamz. The spanking paddle was returned to its rightful home with Stu Tinner, administered by Matt Kiddle gallantly stepping in for his absent brother.

More photos can be viewed at greensea.zenfolio.com/p998604808

Overall Results:
If you finished in the top ten at the Cherub nationals then enter your Gear Guide information here

PosBoat NameSail NoHelmCrewClubR1R2R3R4R5R6R7R8R9R10R11R12Pts
1stRIOT VAN3204BridleBridleBrightlingsea-3-332-5211111113
2ndThe Subtle Knife2693EverestEverestHayling Island12112-5-4-5442320
3rdEleanor3208RalphJonesIsle of Sheppey SC(DNF)(DNF)431324-523426
4thPocket Rocket2683AldersonAldersonLargs Sailing Club212(DNC)(DNC)4-88655538
5thAtum Bom2688RushtonRushtonHayling Island SC4(DNC)6.0 RDG6366-7-866649
6thMarmite3212CrooteHoleChew Valley SC5(DNF)(DNC)(DNC)DNC172334251
7thBorn Slippy2674hopsonHowett 7(DNF)544-1412-151398870
8thComfortably Numb2648NoyceNoyceNetley SC6(DNF)(DNC)76101112151011(DNC)88
9thPasta Frenzy2660TinnerGoodwinUKCCOA(DNF)(DNC)10(DNF)DNC9109977792
10thMadge2646PrattPrattRCYC8(DNC)8(DNC)(DNC)13131314119998
11thFlat Stanley2705CoomberBarnesWeir Quay Sailing Club(DNS)(DNC)65(DNC)12141112810DNC102
12thRonin2698JenkinsJenkinsWeir Wood SC(DNF)(DNC)11(DNC)DNCOCS332DNCDNCDNC139
13thUsagi Yojimbo3202PetersPetersQueen Mary Sailing Club(DNF)(DNC)(DNC)DNCDNC7567DNCDNCDNC145
14thsweet dreamzzz2663WhiteWhiteNotts County(DNF)(DNC)(DNC)DNCDNC1615101112DNCDNC160
15thThis Way Up2661WhapshottHoleHawley Lake Sail Training Centre(DNS)(DNC)(DNC)DNCDNC15DNCDNCDNC131210170
16thE-Numbers3203KirkKirkThornbury SC(DNS)(DNC)9(DNC)DNC8DNCDNCDNCDNCDNCDNC185
17thEvo3213TrimTrimThornbury on Chew(DNS)(DNC)(DNC)DNCDNC17DNC1410DNCDNCDNC185
18thAnataephobia3209LeeStillWhitstable YC(DNS)(DNC)(DNC)DNCDNCDNC9DNCDNCDNCDNCDNC201
19thLoco Perro2685ModernModernBartley SC(DNS)(DNC)(DNC)DNCDNC11DNCDNCDNCDNCDNCDNC203
20thE J3206ChingGonzalez-RuizPoole Yacht Club(DNF)(DNC)(DNC)DNCDNCDNCDNCDNCDNCDNCDNCDNC216
20thSlippery When Wet2657Butler (DNF)(DNC)(DNC)DNCDNCDNCDNCDNCDNCDNCDNCDNC216
20thShiny Beast2676ClementsClementsChew Valley SC(DNS)(DNC)(DNC)DNCDNCDNCDNCDNCDNCDNCDNCDNC216
20thBanshee Ambulance3201NockStreeterUKCCA(DNC)(DNC)(DNC)DNCDNCDNSDNCDNSDNCDNCDNCDNC216