Cadets to gather in Torquay for the UK Nationals & Europeans

by Neil Collingridge 18 Jul 2022 06:03 BST 23 July - 6 August 2022

Cadets during a World Team Selector in Weymouth © UK Cadet Class

The International Cadet Class is descending on Torquay this summer with great numbers of entries for the UK Nationals followed by the European Championships, which is usually held every four years when, as in 2022, there is a Southern Hemisphere Worlds.

Over 70 boats are entered for the Nationals and over 80 for the Europeans with entries from across Europe... the UK of course, but also Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Czech Republic, Poland, and we are delighted to say also 4 boats from Ukraine: the Class has really pulled together to enable sailors in exile to borrow boats and compete despite the troubled times their country is going through.

The two events run from 23rd July through to 4th August with a bumper schedule of up to 10 races for the Nationals and up to 12 for the Europeans. Excitement is starting to build rapidly as last minute arrangements fall into place and the event is literally a week away.

But as ever with the Cadet class the racing, whilst important, isn't the sole attraction. The programme includes more socials for children and parents than we can shake a stick at here but includes barbeques, drinks receptions hosted by various national Cadet classes, a "come dressed as your boat name" Party (I can wear anything and still have "No Regrets") and on the middle Saturday in celebration of 2022 being a significant Anniversary of the Class, an ex-Cadets race followed by Opening Ceremony followed by a 75th Birthday Party. Something for everyone then we hope.

For the National Championships the fleet will run as a Main fleet and a separate "coached" Regatta fleet so enabling those less experienced sailors to get up to speed. For the Europeans we are looking forwards to one of the largest gatherings of Cadet dinghies on a single start line seen in recent years.

Cadets during a World Team Selector in Weymouth - photo © UK Cadet Class

Torbay always throws up its challenges. If the wind is offshore it can shift around lots as it decides which particular valley it is coming down (usually changing its mind on the run in to the windward mark) or if we are lucky enough to get anything East or South-easterly then we can expect some lovely rolling waves to surf on.

After several years of interrupted international competition it's frankly anyone's guess who will be on the pace but we can be assured there will be plenty of friendly, keen competition alongside the creation of some long lasting memories and the making of friendships for life. Many of the parents can recall racing a Cadet on Torbay in the distant past although I'm not going to embarrass anyone by trying to establish which decade that was in.

Organisation of the event has been a Herculean effort but the Class is particularly indebted to Royal Torquay Yacht Club and also to its sponsors whose generous support means there will be lots of prizes to be won and the occasional refreshment for frazzled parents. Our sponsors are: