Cadet Nationals at the Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy - Overall
by Peter Collyer 13 Aug 2014 08:43 BST
9-12 August 2014
After the survival conditions that were served up by the weather gods on Monday, the steady Force 4 that was blowing across the water off the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy on Tuesday morning seemed positively benign.
Once again the fleet launched early in the hope of completing 3 races before the wind strengthened again later in the day. Also in a repeat of Monday's action, it was AUS9616 Thomas/Sophie Alexander who romped up the first beat of Race 6 ahead of the field and continued to pull away downwind to take the bullet by another big margin. Compatriots AUS9551 Jasmin Galbriath/Matilda O'Donoghue were 2nd with GBR9046 Ross/Jonny Thompson producing their strongest performance of the series with 3rd.
By the start of Race 7 the breeze had strengthened once more giving the rescue crews their first customers of the day as the downwind legs became tricky. AUS9616 were beaten to the windward mark for the first time, although it only took them the power-reach to the spreader mark and a prompt spinnaker hoist to snatch the lead back. They went on to an inevitable fourth straight win, this time with an all Aussie podium completed by AUS9552 Silas Hamilton/Ethan Galbraith in 2nd and AUS9628 Emily Goodfellow/Emma Kelly in 3rd.
Behind them an intense battle had developed between the top British boats that was clearly going to take the National title down to the last race. Overnight leaders GBR8521 Alex Page/Aaron Chadwick had posted a 19th in Race 6 allowing the gap to close between them and GBR8352 Lucy/Cally Terkelsen, but Alex and Aaron came back with 5th in Race 7 to Lucy and Cally's 10th.
In the final race the first two podium places were once again filled by AUS9616 and AUS9552 but they were joined on this occasion by GBR8441 Ben Shorrock/Ellie Watling, another British team boat that will not be letting the visitors have it all their own way at next week's Worlds. By finishing 8th in this final race Alex Page/Aaron Chadwick clinched the National title by the narrow margin of 4 points from Lucy and Cally Terkelsen. Alex and Aaron also took a number of age-group prizes while Lucy and Cally won the trophies for first girl helm and first all-girl crew.
Overall the regatta was won by Belgians Cesar Smet and Emile Mariem who were so consistent that an 8, 4, 7 score line on the final day was good enough to keep them in front. Argentina's Nahuel Ponce and Lucas Pruden were 2nd with the top Brits and new National Champions Alex Page and Aaron Chadwick 3rd. The strong Australian team did not feature in the overall standings because they had missed the first day.
In the Silver fleet Emily/Rebecca Mitchell won overall with Ben Barr/Josh Bennett 2nd, both performances notable for their good finishes on the windy 3rd day when many gold fleet boats retired. 3rd were Ellie Wootton and Kate White.
In the Bronze fleet a record turnout of 16 boats enjoyed the benefits of their own coach and, on the last day, their own race course and committee boat close to the marina. Harry/Alice Folkard won all but one race to win the event with James Hague/Rishi Goswani 2nd and Alex Eaton/Conor Line 3rd.
Full results for all fleets at www.cadetclass.org.uk/sitedata/Entries/2014_nationals_results.pdf.
If you finished in the top ten at the Cadet nationals then enter your Gear Guide information here
Attention now turns to the Cadet World Championships that will begin with a practice race and opening ceremony on Friday. While the Nationals fleet was sailing in from its final race teams from Germany, Poland and Ukraine were sailing out to practice for what promises to be a week of exciting sailing with an international social scene to match. Updates and more info can be found at www.cadetclass.org.uk/2014-worlds.