Cadets at the Alton Water 2023 Fox's Chandlery & Anglian Water Frostbite Series - Week 4

Alton Water Fox's Chandlery & Anglian Water Frostbite Series week 4 © Emer Berry

Despite it being January and week 4 of the Alton Water Frostbite series the action in the Cadet fleet has been hotting up. After the previous day's training session with Alex Page and Harry Chatterton in very little wind, the fleet was greeted with a good breeze for racing.

After a general recall the fleet started under black flag. George Cox-Olliff & George Letts in Thunderstruck took a deserved lead at the first mark followed by Rhona Enkel & Sophie Ringland. George & George had a spinnaker halyard issue causing them to keelhaul the spinnaker and losing most of their lead. The boys held on to lead at the leeward mark only to leave a gap big enough for two double deckers to pass through. Rhona & Sophie drove their mini Cadet through the gap to take the lead which they controlled well to the finish. George & George took another well sailed second ahead of Daniel Ringland & Joshua Booth in third and Tom Krailing & Ella Edwards in fourth.

Alton Water Fox's Chandlery & Anglian Water Frostbite Series week 4 - photo © Emer Berry

Race 4 demonstrated the rapid progress that our next generation of Cadet sailors are making. Tom & Ella sailed an excellent first beat to lead from George & George. Where were Rhona & Sophie? After fixing a broken toestrap the girls rounded in last with a lot or work to do.

At the front Tom & Ella used their lightweight to great effect to maintain their lead at the leeward mark only to round wide. Wide entry. Close exit. George & George learning from their own mistake in the previous race took advantage to take the lead.

Meanwhile Rhona & Sophie were showing their credentials by picking off boat after boat. By the start of the second lap they were snapping at Georges' heels. A great tussle ensued with the buys just doing enough to keep the girls at bay. Tom & Ella took an excellent 3rd with Oscar Bush & Emily Krailing in fourth.

Rhona & Sophie maintain their 4 point advantage with George & George keeping up the pressure. Tom & Ella move up to third overall. This coming week we expect to see the return of a few more Cadets which should mix up the racing. There's all to play for with lots of great racing still to come. It's getting exciting!

Cadet Class Results after Week 4: