Specsavers International Cadet class UK Inland Championship 2026 at Rutland Sailing Club

Specsavers Cadet class UK Inland Championship at Rutland © Naomi Flood

Rutland Sailing Club played host to a cracking Specsavers International Cadet Inland Championship, with an amazing 49 boats on the water - 30 in the Main Fleet and 19 in the Regatta Fleet. Two days of proper inland breeze, close racing and no shortage of drama made for a championship that will live long in the memory.

Saturday served up serious breeze, gusts touching 33 knots, enough to send the Fireflys scurrying ashore early. Not so the Cadets: the kids stayed out and showed the grown-ups exactly how it's done, to much amusement around the clubhouse.

The Regatta Fleet got one race away with a number of sailors making the mature call to sit it out, while those who raced battled hard through a few capsizes, with Alvy Jones & Harriet Walker setting the early pace from Francis & Ines Lonardo and Amelie & Pierre Harris.

In the Main Fleet, race one was abandoned after a course mix-up, but two flat-out planing races followed - Inland Cadet sailing at its very best. Lewis Walker & Issy Stock took the first, before Sam English & Sam Flood stormed to victory in the second. The class AGM and dinner followed that evening, followed by a lively social at the club, capped a brilliant day.

Specsavers Cadet class UK Inland Championship at Rutland - photo © Naomi Flood

Sunday brought sunnier skies and slightly less breeze, still blustery enough to keep everyone on their toes across three Main Fleet and four Regatta Fleet races. In the Regatta Fleet, Alvy & Harriet were imperious, winning two races and adding two 3rds, while Max Holroyd & Harry Flood found their groove with two wins and a second. Francis & Ines were the model of consistency with four 2nds.

It was a joy to see this year's bumper crop of new regatta helms in action. Living proof of why the Cadet is simply the best junior class. Crews learn from their older helms, then graduate to helming themselves. They had been listening after all!

Specsavers Cadet class UK Inland Championship at Rutland - photo © Naomi Flood

Main Fleet racing was agonisingly close as ever. The Sam's added two more wins. The new featherweight pairing of Emily Krailing & Evie Winchester kept getting stronger upwind to complement their devastating downwind speed. Rutland's tricky shifts served up plenty of snakes and ladders, with eye-catching performances particularly from Kyla Brezan & Emily Richardson, Mimi Windibank & George Blackwell and a great final race win from Harriet Davies & Noah Bartlett.

After two days of thrilling racing, Alvy Jones & Harriet Walker were crowned Regatta Fleet Inland Champions, edging out Max Holroyd & Harry Flood by just two points, with Max & Harry taking 2nd on countback ahead of Francis & Ines Lonardo in 3rd. In the Main Fleet, Sam English & Sam Flood's experience and consistency saw off the fast-improving Emily Krailing & Evie Winchester to take the overall title with Mimi Windibank & George Blackwell completing the podium.

Specsavers Cadet class UK Inland Championship at Rutland - photo © Naomi Flood

The strength of the Cadet Fleet Squadrons is showing with very little to show between the "big three" of Frensham Pond, Waldringfield and South Cerney but already the fledgling Welsh Harp fleet and Fishers Green sailors are making their mark. Exciting times lay ahead.

Congratulations to all the competitors on an excellent weekend. Thank you to Rutland Sailing Club and everyone involved in running a fantastic Inland Championship. Particular thanks go to the race team, especially Arky and Bill, who once again ran the racing superbly in challenging conditions, and to sponsors Specsavers and Pinnell & Bax for their continued support.

Specsavers Cadet class UK Inland Championship at Rutland - photo © Naomi Flood

Main Fleet Results:

Regatta Fleet Results:

Specsavers Cadet class UK Inland Championship at Rutland - photo © Naomi Flood