UK Cadets training hard for 50th Cadet Worlds in Argentina
by Ian Harris 2 Feb 2016 15:49 GMT
2 February 2016
2015 Cadet Worlds at Lake Garda © Elena Giolai / Fraglia Vela Riva
It's all hotting up in the Cadet class this year as the final run into the qualifiers for the 50th Cadet World Championships begins.
Not many classes get to celebrate their 50th World Championship, and the Argentinians who have won the right to host the anniversary event have plans to make it one to remember. The fleet will be wearing golden class logos in recognition of the achievement, and those will be proudly displayed over the new boat numbers that have just exceeded 10,000.
The GBR team, so close to taking the title last year in Lake Garda where Waldringfield's Archie Penn and Hazel Whittle finished 2nd overall, had 5 boats in the top 10 and took World Under 15 and Junior titles. Although that team have nearly all moved on to 420's and Lasers, the squad will be strong as the sailors who dominated last year's Worlds Promo regatta move on up to the full team. With Tom Mallindine at the head of the coaching, team GBR will be in good hands.
So who will it be? With ten places up for grabs, competition will be fierce. The 1st qualifier is to be held at WPNSA just after Easter, with the following 2 qualifiers on the East Coast. The final event will see the Cadets fittingly return to Burnham on Crouch, venue of the Cadet World and National Championships over many years.
The class saw a real boost to its numbers last year with the new Synergy Marine Cadets and boats built for the Garda Worlds swelling the number past that magic 10 000. With another new builder, about to start production, the Cadet is certainly showing resurgence. GBR9985 "Twocan" which won 3 races and had 3 2nd places at the Garda worlds will be on display at the RYA Suzuki Dinghy Show.