Cadet class Peter Scott trophy at Royal Corinthian Yacht Club, Burnham

Cadet class Peter Scott trophy at Burnham © Tim Hampton / Phil Vellacott

It was great to be back at the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club for the Vaikobi-sponsored Peter Scott trophy, the second in the Cadet Class' spring series. Cadets have had a long association with Burnham, stretching back to the 1950s and Burnham International Cadet Week, and Corinthian Otters' own fleet is enjoying a resurgence too.

The forecast of light winds combined with spring tides was always going to make for a tricky weekend's sailing - but being a successful sailor requires more than just boatspeed. On the Saturday, the fleet was held ashore to wait for the anticipated breeze to fill, whilst the superb catering team at RCYC saw the opportunity to give the sailors an early pasta lunch.

Cadet class Peter Scott trophy at Burnham - photo © Tim Hampton / Phil Vellacott

Race 1. Once out on the racecourse (helped by a few tows) the fleet found a 7kt southerly breeze waiting for them with tide still running. The main fleet got away with an individual recall flying. Most went left, although Alex Enkel and Jude Baldock in 10012 and Monty Hampton and Wilf Kingsnorth in 7231 went right seeking clean air. At the top mark, positioned in the mouth of the river Roach, Sophia Sfaxi and Evie Boddy in 9964 rounded first, followed by George Little and Hugh Voysey in 8533, then Tom Shepherd and Joe Mycroft in 9994. But places changed on the two reaches (the course was triangle, sausage, sausage) and the second top mark saw George+Hugh round first only to remeber the spreader mark a bit late, allowing Gwen Thorogood and Primrose Denny-Pickess in 9985 to capitalise. They kept this order at the finish line, with Sam Nee and Audrey Giumali in 9028 in third.

The 10 boat regatta fleet had a clean start, with Mia Stanislaus and Isobel Stamp in 8529 and Ava Stoddart and Isabelle Davies in 10002 leading a big group up the course. Sailing one less sausage than the main fleet, they finished in this order with Nora Van Besien and Hannelore Cammaer in 10004 (one of three guest Belgian boats) in third.

Cadet class Peter Scott trophy at Burnham - photo © Tim Hampton / Phil Vellacott

Race 2 saw the tide running fiercely, with boats having to point the wrong way in pre-start to hold position. The smart boats went right to counteract this, with Monty+Wilf going the furthest and laying the mark first without tacking. Alas for them, the wing mark was not holding, instead determinedly heading for the continental coast, so race abandoned.

Race 2 was restarted after a pause to allow the wind to fill. Sailors caution against bring swept over the line saw an especially clear start. But the current coming out of the Roach played havoc with some lay lines into the top mark. Those doing well included Sam+Audrey who rounded first, followed by 9289 sailed by Dylan McArdle and Lewis Walker and Alex+Jude in third. Several sailors miscalculated the tide on the first reach with some tacking to lay it. Places changed considerably on the beats and runs with those working out the tide gaining the most. At the end, on a dying breeze, Hettie Thorogood and Nicole Richardson in 10032 finished first, with Alex+Jude in second and Tom+Joe in third. In the Regatta Fleet, Ava+Isabelle took line honours, followed by Mia+Isobel with Nora+Hannelore again third.

Cadet class Peter Scott trophy at Burnham - photo © Tim Hampton / Phil Vellacott

RCYC laid on a superb curry for competitors, who took advantage of the excellent clubhouse to relax and regroup for the next day's racing.

Sunday was wet and uninspiring. The fleet was held on shore for 45 minutes until the breeze filled, but towing was still required to get the Cadets out to the racecourse in time for a start. Race 3 started in 10/11kts from SSW, and sailors were very cautious about being pushed over the line. James Bailey and Jasper Bush in 9983 showed everyone how it was done with an outstanding port tack flyer, and led the fleet at the top mark. The tide was pushing boats high on the starboard lay line and on the first reach; some miscalculations costing some dearly. Unfortunately more errors were to follow, with 11 boats thinking the gate mark was in play and rounding the wrong mark - Not Sailed the Correct course scores awaited them. At the second top mark, Sophia+Evie led, with Rhona Enkel and Sophie Ringland in 9982 second and Evan Harris and James Vellacott in 10007 third. Sophia+Evie held the lead to cross the line first, followed by Loic Schoonooghe and Hanna Kerre in 10055 in second and Tom+Joe in third.

In the regatta fleet, the sailors were still getting to grips with the tide. Whilst the line was clear, the fleet was pushed further than they expected with several overstanding the marks. They've yet to watch and learn from the main fleet start 5 minutes before them! At the end, local knowledge seemed to triumph with George Corrigan and Jessica Wright in 9027 finishing first, followed by Ava+Isabelle and then Mia+Isobel.

Cadet class Peter Scott trophy at Burnham - photo © Tim Hampton / Phil Vellacott

In Race 4, the main fleet contested the start a little more keenly. George+Hugh won the committee boat end and were rewarded with their own private wind, sailing 15 degrees higher and half a knot faster than the pack. But the left was paying well - Amelie Whitehouse and Maddy Sherwood in 10076 had good pace and clean air. At the top mark George+Hugh rounded first with Tom+Joe hot on their heels followed by Alex McEwan and Amber Giumali in 10092. The two runs were interesting - only a few boats really headed up early to counteract the tide, with many just pointing at the mark and ending up gybing to come in at a hot angle. George+Hugh took line honours, followed by Tom+Joe and a fine performance by Rhona+Sophie securing them third. In the flagging breeze, most of regatta fleet got round the racecourse (with a couple of whisky flags at the end). At the finish, Mia+Isobel crossed first, followed by Emily Buckley and Isla Kennedy in 9243 (another Corinthian Otters boat) and Ava+Isabelle in third.

The breeze was dying now. With consistent sub-5 knots and a poor forecast, Arky sensibly cancelled all remaining races and the fleet headed home. With four races run and one discard kicking in, the Peter Scott trophy was won by Tom+Joe, with Sophia+Evie second and George+Hugh third. Silver fleet was won by Rhona+Sophie, with Hettie+Nicole second and Jemima McMorris and Harriet Davies third in 8352. Regatta fleet was won by Mia+Isobel with Ava+Isabelle second (both boats on the podium for every race) with Nora and Hannelore third.

Cadet class Peter Scott trophy at Burnham - photo © Tim Hampton / Phil Vellacott

Our thanks go to RCYC - a brilliant host club who made everyone feel at home. I'd like to single out Edwin Buckley for his superb contributions behind the scenes, not just for this event but for his efforts in growing the Cadet class at Burnham again. And I'd also like to thank our own Race Officer, Arky - a friend of the class for many years now, who delivers excellent racing under tricky circumstances. We're proud to have him running our racing.

And so the fleet moves on to the Isle of Sheppey for the final event in the spring series. The seven world team places remain open - a bad day, gear failure or protests could easily upset the applecart. And who will perform on the day in all fleets? Watch this space...

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