Cadet Open at Frensham Pond Sailing Club

Forty-eight sailors arrived at Frensham Pond Sailing Club on Saturday 19 March to take part in the Cadet Open meeting. The weather lived up to the forecast - a base of around 15 knots but large gusts to contend with, especially in the morning. At least it was from the east, which reduced the chances of chronic shifts that so often trick the visitor to Frensham (and some of the regulars too). Bright sunshine brought out the first reminder of the season for suncream.

The wind direction meant Race Officer Martin Goult (himself a former Cadet Class Measurer) was able to lay a good first beat, almost the length of the pond. The rest of the course criss-crossed the water, giving true beats, a run past the clubhouse, and a couple of fast reaches.

Frensham Cadet Open 2022 - photo © Corinne Whitehouse

The first race saw a well-disciplined startline, with only some bunching at the Committee Boat by the nine boats in the main fleet. But the gusts caught quite a few out in the morning, and there were a few capsizes that spoiled otherwise good races. Tom Walker and Ava Stoddard (10002) nailed a good first beat and led for most of the race to finish first, followed by Fiona Nee and Annabel Shepherd (9028). Amelie Whitehouse and Maddy Sherwood (10076) finished third. In the 15 boat Regatta Fleet (great to see so many starting their racing career) a clean start saw the leaders extend from the pack, with a few capsizes in the fleet. Sam Nee and Audrey Giumali (9043) sailed a clean race to win, closely followed by Zachary Windibank and Mave Parry-Shield (9673). These two boats have history; at last week's Alf Simmonds trophy they shared first and second places, only being divided on countback. Alex McEwan and Amber Giumali (9634) came in third.

The consistent wind direction allowed Martin Goult to keep the same course for Race 2. In the main fleet, Tom and Ava found themselves pushed down into third place despite a couple of planing reaches; they were able to hold off Monty Hampton and Wilf Kingsnorth (7232) in fourth. Sophia Sfaxi and Evie Boddy (9964) came in second with Fiona and Annabel in first. The gusts still pushed a few boats over, and a couple of places were gained and lost even though the recoveries were fast.

Frensham Cadet Open 2022 - photo © Corinne Whitehouse

In the regatta fleet, the gusts kept the safety boats busy, but a couple of boats decided discretion was the better part of valour. At the top, history repeated itself with Sam and Audrey taking first, followed by Zach and Mave, then Alex and Amber in third.

Everyone came in for a fantastic lunch courtesy of the brilliant Frensham galley team - carb-heavy to refuel the considerable energy expelled in the morning.

Frensham Cadet Open 2022 - photo © Corinne Whitehouse

Race 3 saw similar conditions to the morning, although the bottom end of the wind range was lower than before. The runs saw some spirited challenges, and quite a few banana-shaped tracks as luffing matches broke out. The top three boats in the main fleet were now becoming clear, with only the order changing: this time Sophia and Evie won, with Fiona and Annabel second and Tom and Ava third. In the regatta fleet Zach and Mave came first followed by Sam and Audrey in second. Ned Fairhurst and Sam English (9367) sailed a great race to claim third. Alex and Amber suffered a collision which caused them to go ashore and rapidly get a club boat on the water for the last race.

A final roll of the dice in Race 4. The breeze was easing a little now; would this change fortunes? Perhaps sensing a final opportunity, the main start was well contested with an individual recall seeing at least two boats returning. One of those was Sophia and Evie, but they dug deep and sailed an impeccable race to come first, followed by Tom and Ava in second and Monty and Wilf in third. The consistency prize goes to George Little and Hugh Voysey (8533) who scored a fifth in every race.

Sophia Sfaxi and Evie Boddy win the Frensham Cadet Open 2022 - photo © Corinne Whitehouse

In the Regatta fleet, the epic duel between the two front runners was resolved with Zach and Mave winning from Sam and Audrey in second - with Zach and Mave taking first overall on countback. Alex and Amber showed it's the sailor more than the boat with a third place.

Frensham Cadet Open 2022 - photo © Corinne Whitehouse

Many thanks go to Frensham Cadet Class Captain David Boddy and the small army of volunteers, which he mustered to help organise and run a fantastic event. Truth be told, all did it with pleasure; there's little better than seeing young people out on the water, gaining experience, competing and stretching themselves. All excellent preparation for the second World Team selector event at Pevensey Bay on 23 and 24 April - bring it on!

Overall Results: