Cadet class Peter Scott Trophy 2026 at Draycote Water Sailing Club

Cadet class Peter Scott Trophy at Draycote © Christopher Flood

Draycote Water hosted the second and final Cadet selector of the season, the Peter Scott Trophy, closing the 2026 World Team qualification series. Following the heavy weather seen at Grafham just three weeks earlier, Draycote delivered an entirely different challenge, with light and often elusive winds placing an emphasis on patience, positioning and consistency.

As well as being an important stand-alone event, the Peter Scott Trophy ultimately decided which sailors would earn selection to represent Great Britain at the Cadet World Championships in Lake Garda, Italy later this summer. With places still very much open after the first selector, the pressure across the fleet was evident throughout the weekend.

From survival sailing to drifting conditions

The contrast with Grafham could hardly have been greater. Where Grafham tested the fleet with heavy airs, retirements and gusts approaching 40 knots, Draycote instead demanded composure in light and unstable conditions.

Saturday initially appeared promising, with an 8-10 knot breeze encouraging the fleet afloat. However, the wind steadily faded throughout the day, eventually disappearing altogether before racing could properly get under way. While frustrating from a racing perspective, the postponement afloat did at least create a memorable social atmosphere, with Cadets rafting together across the reservoir in warm sunshine, producing plenty of smiles despite the lack of results.

Sunday finally delivered a steady enough breeze for racing, with around 6 knots allowing Race Officer Arky Wainwright and his team to complete four races. The day began using Course D configuration before switching later to Course I, ensuring a varied tactical challenge for the fleet.

Cadet class Peter Scott Trophy at Draycote - photo © Christopher Flood

A season defined by unpredictability

Across both selectors, one theme has consistently stood out, strong competition at the front of the fleet and a highly competitive race for qualification places.

The Peter Scott Trophy continued that pattern, with fluctuating race results and tight points margins keeping the overall standings uncertain until the final stages of the series.

One boat who did stand apart, however, was Mimi Windibank and George Blackwell. Having already impressed at Grafham, Mimi again delivered a composed and consistently fast performance in lighter conditions, capping off an exceptional selector series overall.

The event also highlighted the resilience required to secure selection.

Charlotte Noren-Topham with Harry Flood demonstrated this perfectly. After a difficult opening race, she regrouped impressively across the remainder of the event, fighting her way back into contention and ultimately securing her place within the World Team squad.

Meanwhile, Maxwell Stanislaus, Otto Hallett and became one of the stories of the weekend. Narrowly missing out on the top 10 overall for this event, Maxwell nevertheless produced one of the standout efforts of the event, sailing with determination and confidence throughout the series.

The importance of crews

Among the many conversations taking place over the weekend, one comment perhaps captured the spirit of the Cadet class better than any result sheet: "The crew is the most important person in the boat."

Paige Davidson's remark served as a timely reminder that while helms often attract the spotlight, success in Cadets is built entirely on partnership. Across both selectors, crews played a decisive role in boat speed, balance, tactics and resilience under pressure, particularly in the changing conditions experienced this season.

Cadet class Peter Scott Trophy at Draycote - photo © Christopher Flood

Regatta Fleet continues to grow

The Regatta Fleet once again demonstrated encouraging progression, with sailors continuing to gain confidence in variable conditions and building experience alongside the Main Fleet racing.

While the lighter breeze created additional challenges for newer teams, the atmosphere afloat and ashore reflected the supportive environment that continues to define the Cadet class.

2026 GBR Cadet World Team selected

Following the conclusion of both selector events, the sailors selected to represent Great Britain at the 2026 Cadet World Championships in Lake Garda, Italy, were confirmed. With Grafham delivering survival conditions and Draycote demanding patience in near-displacement racing, qualification this year required true versatility across a wide range of conditions.

Congratulations to the following sailors on selection to the 2026 GBR Cadet World Team:
1. Mimi Windibank / George Blackwell
2. Ava Stoddart / Alice Boddy
3. George Cox-Olliff / Evie Winchester
4. Monty Slump/ Sam Flood
5. Bruce Ward / Alex Harker
6. Dylan McArdle / Harriet Walker
7. Hugh Voysey/ Max Holroyd
8. Sam English/ Minnie Palmer
9. Will Hancock / Alvy Jones
10. Charlotte Noren-Topham / Harry Flood

Reserves:
11. Gregory Boddy / Joe Flood
12. Lewis Walker/ Clementine Denny-Pickess

The final standings reflected just how competitive the selection process has become within the Cadet fleet, with consistency across two contrasting events ultimately proving decisive.

Several sailors narrowly missed out, underlining the depth of talent currently coming through the class and setting the stage for a highly competitive summer season ahead.

GBR World Team decided at final selector - Cadet class Peter Scott Trophy at Draycote - photo © Christopher Flood

Acknowledgements

Thanks go to Race Officer Arky Wainwright and the race management team for their persistence and flexibility across an exceptionally light-air weekend, successfully delivering a four-race series despite challenging conditions.

Gratitude also goes to the safety teams, volunteers, coaches and families who continue to make these events possible, alongside the many supporters ashore who contribute to the uniquely supportive atmosphere within the Cadet class.

Most importantly, congratulations to every sailor who competed across both selectors. Whether qualifying for Lake Garda or narrowly missing out, the standard of racing, determination and sportsmanship shown throughout the series reflected the strength and depth of the current Cadet fleet.

Peter Scott Trophy - Regatta Fleet Results:

Peter Scott Trophy - Main Fleet Results: