MDL Cadet Nationals at Royal Torbay Yacht Club - Day 2

Race 4

The first race of the day was delayed due to lack of wind. When the wind did arrive it was a surprise that the fleet got away first time in a steady breeze of force 1. Up the first beat middle left paid off, with these boats getting a lift from the wind bend off the cliffs. Those who went to far left lost the wind and those who went right lost heavily. At the windward mark Adam Richards was first. Second was Stephen Videlo followed by ‘Willpower’ William Branton/Blake Pollard, ‘Hot Rocks’ Mathew Kimber/Joss Haslam, ‘Lift Off’ Jamie Mayhew/Ryan Bolger and ‘No Fear’ Amelia Hughes/Tasmain Wichard. At the leeward mark Adam had a commanding lead over the fleet that had maintained positions. Noticeably ‘Executrix’ James Wade/Anna Graves had sailed up the fleet to be seventh. The windward mark had been re-laid as the wind shifted left to be almost at the wing mark. At the second windward Adam led by 2 minutes from Stephen, William and ‘Kiss’ Oliver Impey/Jamie Lamb and then James. The leaders were now with the back markers sailing to the leeward mark. The wind had shifted back and the next beat was achieved in one fetch. At the windward mark James was now forth, Mathew fifth and Oliver sixth. The finish line was set to give a true beat. Adam Richards finishing well clear of Stephen Videlo with James Wade coming third just ahead of ‘Blue Moon’ Robbie Allam/Katrina Brewer who gained four places on the final beat.

Race 5

After a lunch break on the water the wind got up to force three. The fleet, looking forward to the conditions were all over at the start. The re-start saw nine boats caught by the black flag and another general recall. The re-start was clean and the spectator craft were treated to a perfect pin end port tack flyer by ‘Unique’ James/Edward Jaffa to clear the fleet. Again middle left paid up the first beat. At the mark James Wade was clear of Mathew Kimber, ‘Cool Running’ Gregory/ Ursula Moore, Stephen Videlo and ‘Get a Grip’ Andrew Twinn/Thomas Power. As the fleet sailed towards the wing mark the wind started dropping. Having rounded the wing mark the wind fell of completely. Having struggled to the leeward mark the boats headed of to a re-set windward mark that quickly became the finishing line. At the leeward mark James led Gregory, Stephen, and ‘Gnat’ Ben/Hamish Stone. The boats now facing an incoming tide struggled up the final leg. James Wade crossed first followed by Gregory Moore, Stephen Videlo, and Ben Stone. Only nine boats crossed the line inside the half hour time limit, the rest being DNF (Did not finish).