Virtual Rigger Cadet Open Meeting at Stone Sailing Club

Stone Cadet Open podium: (L to R) Lucy Corby, Ollie Payne, Lainey Terkelsen, Cally Terkelsen, Tom Collyer and Aaron Chadwick © Peter Collyer

A wide skill range of nine boats entered for Stone Open on the 2nd & 3rd of August sponsored by Virtual Rigger.

The PRO set an exciting average lap course and, race one saw a building breeze of about 10 to 15 knots. 8846 sailed by Tom Collyer and Aaron Chadwick, were first to cross both lines; unfortunately therefore they were OCS, with 9964 sailed by Lucy Corby and Ollie Payne taking the win. Lainey and Cally Terkelsen in 8420 were second, after being over the line, however still going back! In third were Rosie Targett and Phoebe Bradshaw from Frensham Pond, and just behind were Stone cadets, Rory Dorks and Alex Elias in Bubbles.

Race two saw extra gusts of high force four, as the boats sailed away off of the start line. Lucy and Ollie were first to the windward and kept their lead for the next lap and a half. However, the third downwind, Lainey and Cally managed to overtake and finished the next two laps in first; Lucy and Ollie in second, and Tom and Aaron in third. In fourth were Mia Elias and Sinead Dorks from Stone sailing Wetever.

The final race of day one was gusting about 20kts of wind and was won by Tom and Aaron, who just sneaked the first on the line, overtaking Lainey and Cally; Lucy and Ollie in third. The next to finish was Mia and Sinead.

The night finished off with some lovely homemade pasta and an ice lolly for all of the sailors to end their exhausting day out on the water. Overnight leaders were Lainey and Cally, Lucy and Ollie second, Tom and Aaron third, and Rosie and Phoebe in fourth.

Day two gave the sailors a fantastic weather forecast – bright and sunny, and a lighter breeze. Duncan Ayre, the PRO got them straight out onto the River Blackwater. The first race started and was won by 8846; second was 8420, third was 9964 and fourth was also taken by Rory and Alex.

The discard crept in after race five which was won by 8846 again; this time 9964 in second and 8420 in third. In fourth were Rory and Alex again. Now overall, 8846 was leading, only a point in front of 8420 – it all came down to the final race of the open meeting.

Off the start line first was 9964; however the boat speed by 8420 upwind took them to the front. Leading all of the way round the course was 8420, and 8846, after a not so good start were in second. The final downwind leg was tough – 8846 on 8420's tail the whole way; but the Stone girls managed to take the win in the final race of the day. 8846 finished second, closely followed by 9964. In fourth were the girls from Frensham, who had finished overall a magnificent fourth.

The prize-giving saw Cadet Captain Cathy Lester present prizes kindly donated by Virtual Rigger to Rory Dorks and Alex Elias for 'Most Outstanding Sailors' and the overall positions:

Top 4 Overall:

1st 8846 Tom Collyer and Aaron Chadwick – Aldenham SC & Fishers Green
2nd 8420 Lainey and Cally Terkelsen – Stone SC
3rd 9964 Lucy Corby and Ollie Payne – King George SC & Stone SC
4th xxxx Rosie Targett and Phoebe Bradshaw – Frensham Pond SC