Cadet Nationals at Royal Torbay Yacht Club Overall

Cadet World Champion Sails to Victory in MDL Cadet National Championships

Sam Carter, aged 17, from Waldringfield Sailing Club in Suffolk together with his crew Robert Graves aged 13, a member of the Corinthian Otters in Burnham on Crouch sailed to victory in this year's Marina Developments' sponsored Cadet Open Championships.

With southerly winds forecast to get up to force 4/5, all 112 boats taking part in this year's Championships sailed out of Torquay harbour for the last two races, hoping to improve on their overall position. The stronger south-easterly breeze also brought an unwelcome swell, making things uncomfortable for competitors and race committee vessels alike.

Carter didn't have it all his own way, coming second in the 9th race and then equal second in the final race of the Championships. However with seven top three finishes in the 10 race series, Sam proved adept at dealing with the varied wind conditions that prevailed during the week. This was his last MDL Cadet Nationals; he's now moving on to sail 420s along with Paul Jones from Stone Sailing Club, who came fourth overall.

First in the A fleet in both the final days' races were Matt Summers and Tom Hannington from Highcliffe Sailing Club in Poole. These two 1st places were enough to lift Summers from third to second overall, with a points total of 34. In third place overall were Toby Harris and Chay Atkins from Corinthian Otters, who were 8th and 13th in races 9 and 10.

In the B fleet Pippa Wilson continued her winning streak, sailing to first place in both Thursday's final races. The 14 year old Lymington sailor, along with her crew Charlie Hatfield won the Riley Cup ahead of second placed Simon Wheeler and Andrew Stone from Parkstone Sailing Club in Poole. Third overall were Gemma Green and Richard Lewis from Corinthian Otters who had two good final races, finishing 2nd and 3rd respectively.

The prize giving is to be held at Torquay Community Centre on Friday 1st September when MDL's SW Operations Manager, Mick Bettesworth will present the trophies.

MDL Cadet Open Championships Final Results:

Pos  Boat          Helm/Crew                     Club                  Pts

'A' Fleet:
1st: Art Attack    Sam Carter/Robert Graves      Waldringfield SC       13.5 
2nd: Grim Reaper   Toby Harris/Chay Atkins       Corinthian Otters      34
3rd: Genesis       Matt Summers/Tom Hannington   Highcliffe             51

'B' Fleet:

1st: White Stuff   Pippa Wilson/Charlie Hatfield Royal Lymington YC      8
2nd: Shock Waves   Simon Wheeler/Andrew Stone    Parkstone Sailing Club 27
3rd: She Who Dares Gemma Green/Richard Lewis     Corinthian Otters      31

'C' Fleet:

1st: Attitude      Jodie Green/Hugo Bull         Stone Sailing Club     22
2nd: Sea Hog       Peter Johnson/Joss Haslam     South Cerney SC        25
3rd: Grapefruit    Poppy & Jasmine Husband       Royal Lymington YC     25

More Information:

• YachtsandYachting.com Cadet Page
• UK Cadet Class Association
• Royal Torbay Yacht Club