Cadet Open Meeting at Fishers Green Sailing Club

Megan Ferguson and Yasmin Sfaxi win the Cadet Open Meeting at Fishers Green 2016 © Roberto Mancini

Cadet Open Meeting at Fishers Green 2016 © Roberto Mancini

Megan Ferguson and Yasmin Sfaxi win the Cadet Open Meeting at Fishers Green 2016 © Roberto Mancini

Ten Cadets took part in the Exe Sails and Volvo Cars East London sponsored, Fishers Green Sailing Club Open meeting, on the 9th of July. With a good mixture of local and visiting boats, everybody had the opportunity to sample lovely breakfast rolls with a selection of fillings, bacon, egg and sausage, from the galley, ably prepared by Genevieve Lappage. The Commodore, Kevin O'Brien welcomed everybody to the club, and handed over to the race officer, Colin Hill, who carried out the briefing to all competitors.

On the water the competitors and race officer were greeted to a difficult, shifting and challenging wind that encompassed gusts of up to F5. However a fantastic course was set and the 1st race got underway, with the majority of boats giving each other a wide berth. The three visiting boats took the lead with 8845 Megan Ferguson and Yasmin Sfaxi having a dominant lead over the chasing pack and completing their 1st win, leading 8852, Hazel Whittle and Charlotte Leigh, followed by, 9576, Lia Fletcher and Olivia Goland.

The second race, with a new course, was soon underway with the conditions not improving, and these proved to be very challenging for some. The lead boat, 8845, Megan and Yasmin, again followed by 8852, Hazel and Charlotte, both using their spinnakers to full effect, were chased by local boat, 7686, Claudia Mancini and Daisy Robinson, and they finished in that order after a combined time for both races of about 1hour 40 mins.

A delicious lunch prepared by Genevieve Lappage and Jane O'Brien, was gratefully devoured by competitors, organisers and helpers alike, after which many spent time admiring the brand new Volvo XC90, being displayed by the, joint sponsor, Volvo Cars East London. (Let's also not forget to mention the delicious home-made cakes for desert!)

After lunch another fine course was set by our race officer Colin, this took advantage of the slightly abating gusts. Again 8845 took the lead followed by 8852, but this time, 9576, Lia Fletcher and Olivia Goland, were hot on their heels taking 2nd place for the 2nd lap, but were overtaken on the last lap and the final finishing order was as per race 1 for the top 3. A fine battle was underway further down the field between 7686, Claudia and Daisy, and, 9005, Louis Lappage and Hanna Baker, which went right down to the wire, with 9005 finishing 4th just ahead.

The 4th and last race was a shorter course, which may explain the slight confusion by some competitors to the first mark, however this resulted in at least two fine battles: one for 1st place, between 8845 and 7686, and one for 3rd place between 8852 and 9576. The leaders however were not caught, 1st was again 8845 Megan Ferguson and Yasmin Sfaxi, 2nd was 7686, Claudia Mancini and Daisy Robinson, with 3rd being taken by 9576, Lia Fletcher and Olivia Goland.

Cadet Open Meeting at Fishers Green 2016 - photo © Manu Goswami

The prize giving was presented by Kevin O'Brien, 1st place, and winning a brand new spinnaker from Exe Sails, were Megan Ferguson and Yasmin Sfaxi, from Frensham Pond SC. 2nd place, winning a kit bag, were Hazel Whittle and Charlotte Leigh from Waldringfield SC, 3rd were local boat, Claudia Mancini and Daisy Robinson winning another kit bag.

These prizes were all provided by EXE sails, with Trophies and Medals being awarded by Fishers Green SC with help from Volvo Cars East London.

After the prize giving all competitors tucked into a fab, 'Cadet Tea' with lots of homemade cakes and treats, thanks goes to Genevieve for these. The afternoon was finished off with a raffle with some great prizes.

Our thanks goes to everybody who took part in making the day a success, the volunteers, organisers, sponsors, parents and all the competitors.

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Overall Results:

Cadet Open Meeting at Fishers Green 2016 - photo © Manu Goswami