Anglia Factors Cadet Open Meeting at Waldringfield Sailing Club

Anglia Factors Cadet Open Meeting at Waldringfield 2015 © Juliet Dearlove & Alexis Smith

Anglia Factors Cadet Open Meeting at Waldringfield 2015 © Juliet Dearlove & Alexis Smith

A strong entry of 25 boats contested the annual Cadet Open Meeting at Waldringfield Sailing Club on the River Deben over the weekend of 18/19 July, which was generously supported by local bespoke kitchen suppliers Anglia Factors.

The GBR Team used the event as their last opportunity for some racing prior to the Cadet World Championship in Riva del Garda in 2 weeks' time, while many others pitted their skills against the GBR Team in readiness for the Worlds Promotional Regatta which runs alongside the main event at Garda.

Race Officer Ian Videlo set the course for Race 1 downriver from the Clubhouse, which was won convincingly by Tom Collyer in "No Fear" with his young stand-in crew Inès Green, followed by locals Ellie Wootton & Kate White in "Zest" 2nd and Jamie & Bettine Harris sailing "Twocan" 3rd. After a quick lunch break the fleet set out again for 2 races sailed back to back.

Race 2 finally got away after a couple of attempts as the wind was shifting so much the course had to be moved more than once. The sea breeze was trying to kick in and huge gains could be made by picking the shifts correctly. Jamie & Bettine Harris held on to win from Megan Ferguson & Yasmin Sfaxi in "Hot Rocks" with Tom & Inès 3rd and Archie Penn & Hazel Whittle 4th.

Race 3 started in a solid Force 4 with the sea breeze now in full swing... the tide had also turned so the wind over tide conditions created a serious chop and contributed to a further two false starts. The race officer had no option but to bring out the black flag and there were 4 casualties at the start. Archie Penn & Hazel Whittle in "Sorcerer" showed some awesome speed in their new Synergy Marine Cadet and took the gun from Ellie Wooton & Kate White 2nd with Megan & Yasmin 3rd.

So after day one the overnight leaders through sheer consistency were Ellie & Kate scoring 2, 5, 2 with Tom & Inès and Archie & Hazel tied for 2nd just 2 points behind. The sailors then headed for Church Field for a massive rounders match – surprisingly still plenty of energy left it seems!

Sunday's racing was even more exciting with a freshening breeze and plenty warm sunshine. Race 4 took place further downriver in The Rocks and a windward/leeward course was set in champagne sailing conditions. Jamie & Bettine Harris built up a huge lead and won from Megan & Yasmin then Archie & Hazel who were both continuing their consistency. Tom & Inès and Ellie & Kate were not so fortunate with the race and finished well back in 8th and 11th respectively.

After another quick turnaround for lunch the race officer set a zigzag course downriver in a gusty F4 with two cross-tide beats to make the best use of the water available. Once again it was the Frensham girls Megan & Yasmin who excelled to take their 2nd win of the event, followed by Archie & Hazel from the home club and Tom & Inès in 3rd. This left a final showdown race with any of the top 5 boats still capable of winning overall – Megan & Yasmin held the lead but needed a final solid result to ensure the 9th they scored in Race 1 was not needed.

Race 6 kept the same zig-zag course with the wind now gusting F5 occasionally. GBR Team members Lainey & Cally Terkelsen in "Master Mariner" revelled in the breezy conditions to win from Jamie & Bee Harris, but their 2nd was not quite enough to overtake Megan & Yasmin who came in 5th to claim the overall prize by just one point. Ellie Wootton & Kate White again showed their speed in a breeze coming 3rd in the race to finish 4th overall.

After some excellent close racing in challenging conditions, the many Cadets who are travelling to Lake Garda next weekend for the Worlds & Promotionals should be feeling positive about their potential. Many thanks again to Waldringfield SC and the event sponsors Anglia Factors. Next stop – Garda!

Anglia Factors Cadet Open Meeting at Waldringfield 2015 - photo © Juliet Dearlove & Alexis Smith

Overall Results:

1st Under 13 Helm – Daisy Nunn & Amelia Mayhew
1st Under 14 Helm - Megan Ferguson & Yasmin Sfaxi
1st Under 15 Helm - Jamie & Bettine Harris
1st Girl Helm – Megan Ferguson
Youngest Helm at Event – Lia Fletcher
Youngest Crew at Event – Amelia Mayhew
Most Capsized Boat for "The Ultimate Plank" Trophy – Alex Eaton & Ethan Davey