Cadet Open at Fishers Green Sailing Club

Cadets at Fishers Green © Alison Proffitt

Cadets at Fishers Green © Kevin O'Brien

What a relief – a Fishers Green Cadet Open with some wind!

After last year, when the Fishers Green Cadet Open coincided with the hottest October since records began and the calmest day in the South East anyone can remember, it was a relief to wake up to some wind this time!

Eighteen boats arrived at the picturesque Lee Valley bright and early to a welcoming breakfast and a light south-westerly breeze. It was pleasing to see visitors from as far afield as Parkstone, as well as Frensham, South Cerney, Alton Water and Stone joining the local boats, all competing for not just the Fishers Green trophies, but also the Mailspeed Marine Eastern Area Series and Ian Craig Inland Club Championships.

The morning races were a little challenging with a light and shifty winds that Fishers Green is famous for, and the pond sailors dominated the top five places in the first race, eventually being won by GBR9000 Alex Corby and Robert Keen ahead of GBR8407 Rhos Hawes and Jacob Payne and GBR8415 Josie Gummer and Aaron Chadwick. The second race started well, but with the wind dropping, very gentle boat handling, careful gust watching by the crews and a little bit of luck played an important part. For once the locals didn’t get it all their own way, with GBR8571 Lucy and Lainey Terkelsen from Stone SC taking the win from Josie and Aaron followed by Alex and Rob.

After a break for one of Fishers Green’s famous lunches – Mexican themed this time, it was with some relief that the Race Officer was forced to reverse the course to cope with the 180 degree wind shift that had by now increased to a force 3 from the north east. The third race saw the “pondies” take their positions in the top three with GBR8846 Jamie Proffitt and Tom Collyer taking the win, GBR8521 Alex Page and Tom Bridge second, followed by GBR9000 Alex Corby and Rob Keen coming in third. Top tidal boat was again Lucy and Lainey Terkelsen in fourth place.

Going into the final race, it was Alex and Robert leading, but with only four points separating the following four boats it was still all to play for. Local experience held out though and Alex Corby and Rob won the final race of the day, ahead of Alex Page and Tom Bridge, with third place going to Josie and Aaron.

With one discard applied the overall event winner, claiming the Craighead Raghnall Trophy and the Mike Beale Trophy for first Fishers Green helm, was GBR9000 White Stuff, sailed by Alex Corby and Robert Keen. Second overall went to GBR8415 Challenger, sailed by Josie Gummer and Aaron Chadwick, and third place went to GBR8846, No Fear, sailed by Jamie Proffitt and Tom Collyer. Lucy Terkelsen in GBR8571, Blu Calula, won the Fishers Green Commodore’s Cup for the first U15 helm finishing 6th overall and Alex Page in GBR8521 Gnat won the Fishers Green Secretary’s Cup for the first U13 helm finishing 4th overall.

Thanks to all who helped make the day such a great success, especially the Galley crew, the Water Safety team, the Race Officers, and of course all the competitors from across the country.

Overall Results: