Cherub Nationals at Lee-on-the-Solent Sailing Club - Day 1
by Graham Bridle 18 Aug 2011 11:57 BST
16-19 August 2011
Paul Croote and Maff Kiddle lead the Cherub nationals after day 1 © Eddie Mays
A healthy turnout of Cherubs through the ages, including the 2011 Concours d’Elegance winner at the RYA Dinghy Show and all of the boats exhibited in the hall of fame, representing the full 60 year history of this prestigious class. Similarly helms and crews were well represented thorough the ages with Jim Barnes sailing Wandrous a 1960’s built Cherub, and Dave Rowe and Wendy Barclay winners of many previous national championships during the 80’s and 90’s. Also present is Y&Y “Iconic Dinghy number 5” – Flat Stanley, a radical Cherub imported from New Zealand for the 1980 worlds which went on to win many championships in the following decade.
For the first day of racing, the competitors were greeted with an overcast, choppy and windy Solent which caught out many Cherub sailors and test the skills of those racing.
The race officer still managed to complete the three scheduled races, all of which were won by Paul Croote and Maff Kiddle in their Ellway 5 design “Antidote to Panel Games”. Second place in race 1 went to the new Ellway 6 design sailed by Dean Ralph and Simon Jones and third was taken by Andy and Jill peters. The second and third races saw second taken by Graham and 13 year old Eddie Bridle in the banshee design and third again was Andy and Gill Peters.
Other notable performances were given by newcomers 18 year old Andrew Whapshott and 15 year old Stu Moore getting a wet cherub christening. Old hands Dave Roe and Wendy Barclay – they lead for most of the first race until a swim at the bottom mark put them to 4th place.
The day was well rounded with a fantastic Commodore's reception and a slide show of photos taken by Robin Russell and a discount barrel of beer to wash it all down !
Results after Day 1: (3 races, no discard)
1st Paul Croote and Maff Kiddle, Antidote to Panel Games, 3pts
2nd Andy and Jill Peters, Usagi, 9pts
3rd Dean Ralph and Simon Jones, Eleanor, 12pts