Cadet class Peter Scott Trophy 2025 at Stone Sailing Club

Cadet class Peter Scott Trophy at Stone © CadetClass.org.uk

It was game on at the 2025 UKNCCA Peter Scott Trophy on 3-5 May as the Cadet fleet turned out in force vying for not just the honour of winning a Championship trophy but also a place in the GBR Cadet World Team.

Saturday morning dawned with bright clear blue skies and the promise of a light but steady Northerly breeze throughout the day. The campers looked happy. The sailors looked happy. And most importantly the RO looked happy as he debriefed the Cadets representing eight different UK squadrons.

Oops, did I say light breeze? Cue my ironic laughter. By the end of the first day many of our spirited Cadet sailors were surprised to find themselves up against gusts of 30 knot winds under a light wind rake! The wind gods (Aquilo perhaps?) certainly had their fair share of fun.

The fleet launched promptly at 10am for Race 1 on the Blackwater Estuary and made for a grand sight as their bright spinnakers popped up for the first time against the Azure sky. Supporters, parents and general onlookers looked on with anticipation. The main fleet saw the first race end almost as soon as it had begun with a general recall, but thankfully this was the only one of the event. On the second start all were clear and heading off at pace across an incoming tide.

Cadet class Peter Scott Trophy at Stone - photo © Angie Meyer

First to the windward mark Monty Hampton & Henry Yates (10127) followed by Hettie Thorogood & Clementine Denny-Pickess (10032) and confident looking Alexander Enkel & Harriet Davies (10012) putting in a Joint Effort to stay in third position. The front runners stayed close and sailed extremely well in a fiercely competitive fleet, but ultimately it was Daniel Ringland & Sophie Ringland (10055) in a Vortex of wind that took third at the finish proving that siblings can (and do) often make an exceptional team in a boat.

The starter horn for Regatta fleet saw several new comers making their debut, including Gracie Jones & Hansel Holland (10006) and Stone SC veterans Samuel Ballantyne & Ollie Mchugh (9293). Would Regatta fleet hold their nerve? I couldn't help but notice the wind picking up as they rounded the first gybe mark amidst a sea of white horses.

They did indeed, hoisting their spinnakers to shoot down the final leg in style. Great to hear few audible squeals of delight from younger crews as the gusts hit and hats off to the newest crew in the Regatta fleet Ruby Kimber who stepped up to sail with Daisy Cox in 6842 with only two days training!

By the finish line it was a straight win for first Monty & Henry (10127); second Hettie & Clementine (10032); third Daniel & Sophie (10055) in Main fleet followed by first Jasper Bush & Sam Flood (9962); second Annabel Shepherd & Ines Lonardo (9378); third Rosemary Fish & Lucas Fish (9034) in Regatta fleet.

Race 2 and with the wind building our RO Neil lost no time in getting main fleet off the start line. Bruce Ward & Oscar Ward (8513) did exceptionally well to win the start followed closely Monty Slump & Frankie Sherwood (8845). Tide and wide however were not on their side, and by the first downwind leg it was Mia Stanislaus & Sophie Baer (8529) out in front setting the pace followed by 10012 and 10032 in quick succession with Tom Krailing & Ella Edwards (10129) looking for every opportunity to overtake.

Tight racing indeed and no quarter was given as 10127 and 10003 piled on the pressure until the third lap when an ill-timed gust of 28 knots saw both 8529 and 10012 go over leaving the barn door open for Dylan McArdle & Harriet Walker (10003) to take the lead followed by 10127 and 10032.

Race 2 in Regatta fleet saw 9378 win the start followed by another tightly organised family unit Evie Boddy & Alice Boddy (9159) and Sammy Buckley & Orla Bowd (8415) putting on the pace in their new boat that proved they were a worthy Challenger to the first windward mark. The wind however proved yet again to be extremely unpredictable and on the third lap several Regatta boats went over, including front runners 9378 in Whacky When Wet who (I expect) would much rather not have got wet!

8415 lost no time in taking advantage of a gap in the fleet and on the finish line it was a well-deserved first for 8415, followed by second 9034 and third 10076.

Cadet class Peter Scott Trophy at Stone - photo © CadetClass.org.uk

Race 3 was called off shortly thereafter by the RO due to inclement weather conditions. It was clear many Cadets were taking a Sail On The Wild Side in the angry looking chop and the final challenge of a beach landing for the entire fleet in mounting waves and howling wind was not for the faint hearted. I think it would be an understatement to say that we all got a bit wet? Safety however was never an issue and volunteer beach crew did a magnificent job of landing us all without too much complication.

Day 2, and Sunday racing brought the promise of four races back-to-back. Talk of the morning was centred around both race tactics, boat snacks and who won the Egg Roulette game the night before. Stop, what's that you say? Games with raw eggs and Flirting With Danger? Indeed! It was a game of champions won by the mini-est mini Cadet crew in the fleet Ryan (no higher than my knee) who played the egg game with raw ambition that I suspect will see him go far in the fleet.

To say the hospitality of Stone SC is legendary is an understatement. It was all Good Vibes; Saturday night games was a real treat. Mischief And Mayhem, fun and games, call it what you will, the social post racing was well pitched. As were the Stone camping facilities. I understand Stone SC has hosted Cadet events since the 1950's and they do it well, bringing people together and offering a first class sailing venue. This weekend was no exception and games victorious the UKNCCA fleet were ready to show their TRUE COLOURS on Race 3 and with a short debrief the fleet launched into a steady 17 knots of wind.

A prompt start to race 3 saw the main fleet make few errors, and it was 10032 first to the windward mark followed by 8529; 10055 and 10128 with George Cox-Olliff & Evelyn Winchester moving at Hypersonic speed before the rest of the pack. Indeed 10032 did extremely well to hold their lead all the way to the 2nd leg of the race with 10055; 10012; 8529; and 10127 putting the pressure on. A notable contribution to from our youngest crew Edward Gregory sailing with steady helm Holly Jones (9977), between them pulling out all the stops mid fleet amidst fierce competition.

Final results across the line saw 10032 take a clean win followed by 2nd 10012 and 3rd 10055 followed by 1st in Regatta fleet 9985; 2nd 10076 and 3rd 9962.

The start of Race 4 for main fleet saw 10003 make a flying start in pole position followed by 10128 and 10130 who had regained composure after an awkward capsize (and loss of a boot!) in the previous race. It was a tight pack and all business as this time both wind and tide were in the fleets favour with final results of the race seeing 10012 cross the finish line first followed by 10032 in second and Kemmel Thorogood & Georgina Loader (10001) Pushing It with determination for a well earned third.

Cadet class Peter Scott Trophy at Stone - photo © CadetClass.org.uk

In Regatta fleet the fourth race saw a nail biting start with 9034 going head to head with Daisy Cox & Ruby Kimber (6842) for Forty Two seconds on a port tack Deecider before 9378 pipped them both to the windward mark in a surprise move. A fantastic race ensued with Regatta fleet digging deep to overcome the heavy gusts and 9378 did well to hold their lead for the rest of the race.

Race 5 brought with it a shortened course, and for many, the need to refuel. And that was just the adults! It's hard work being a Cadet parent. But in all seriousness the youth looked ready for anything, and it was clear from the outset that race 5 was going to be something special.

First to round the windward mark was 10012, with both helm Alex and crew Harriet pulling out all the stops to keep Vortex and Boombastic at bay but it was not to be. By the time the main fleet reached the gybe mark it was 10032 Hettie & Clementine again in the lead providing a master class in tac tics.

And then it happened, the monster of all gusts hit the fleet. It struck without warning, something no Master Mariner could have foreseen, toppling the mighty Matador 10129; then 8352; 10121; 9292 within seconds of each other. Frantically helms strained to keep control in the Hurricane of wind, whilst crews grappled with spinnakers bellowing wildly unchecked. Boats seem to gybe and spin in all directions. Next to capsize it was 9673 and 8542, whilst 10094 were riding the gust! A heroic effort by William Hancock & Alvy Jones riding Thunderstruck 10094 all the way through the gust and out into the clear, gaining several places in the process.

Regatta fleet meanwhile continued to hang on with sheer grit and determination, reduced in numbers at this point by five boats, and giving it their all. With their final race of the day upon them it was a superb effort that saw 9378 first to the windward mark followed by 9885 Primrose & Penelope; 9454 Maxwell & Sam; and 6842 Daisy & Ruby, where after 9378 continued to hold a strong lead till the finish.

The final race of the day on Sunday saw a brisk end to the series with Regatta sent in due to heavy winds and the favourites in main fleet getting the job done without further mishap. Special mention here must go to our youngest main fleet helm (?) Emily Krailing and her crew Rosie Hancock (9984) who raced in indomitable style all weekend and showed their True Colours when they finished 6th in the final race of the day. Final line honours went to 10032; 10012 and 10055 who took well-deserved podium places.

Cadet class Peter Scott Trophy at Stone - photo © CadetClass.org.uk

With Monday racing ultimately cancelled due to poor weather conditions it had proved an eventful series, and a first class opportunity for both veteran racers and newcomers from Cadet Squadrons from Stone SC; Frensham SC; South Cerney SC; Waldringfield SC; Fishers Green SC; Welsh Harp SC; Burnham SC; and Rickmansworth SC to test themselves.

Well done to all the youth who participated and worked hard to achieve their goals in this event, and congratulations to all our podium places; prize winners and those who were awarded a well-deserved place on the GBR Cadet team - watch our socials for the official announcement! We look forward to following your results at the Cadet World Championships 2025 at Lipno Lake, Czech Republic.

Thank you to all the Cadet parent and Stone SC members who volunteered both time and energy on RIBS. Special thanks to Neil Fulcher and the race management team; to Geoff Kimber for generously captaining his yacht (not nicknamed the Hotel Boat for nothing!) and Rhona Enkel and George Little for their excellent coach support.

Further news and event coverage of GBR Cadet news and events can be found at www.cadetclass.org.uk/events

Cadet class Peter Scott Trophy at Stone - photo © CadetClass.org.uk

Main Fleet Results:

Regatta Fleet Results: