Cadet class open meeting at Waldringfield Sailing Club

Cadet class open meeting at Waldringfield © Rosie Reid

With yachts coming out of the water for winter storage, the trees around the river Deben turning shades of gold and red, the clocks about to give us an extra hour in bed it could only mean one thing - time for the Waldringfield Cadet Open.

This year there were 6 Gold fleet boats, 3 Silver fleet and 3 in the Regatta fleet entered, 24 young sailors covering all levels of experience from first time crews to the current Inland Champions. It was fantastic that visiting sailors from Rickmansworth and Frensham Pond sailing clubs made the journey to Suffolk to compete.

Sailing this time of year can be a cold affair, this is felt especially by the younger crews. So race officer Harry Pynn's plan for the event was to complete up to 8 races of around 20 minutes with 'turbo turnarounds' so that waiting time between races is kept to a minimum. This would maximise racing time around the sausage triangle course and also give everyone plenty of starting practice.

Cadet class open meeting at Waldringfield - photo © Duncan Bush

I must admit to being a little apprehensive when I look out of my window first thing in the morning to see it was dark, wet and pretty windy. I needn't have worried though it was a perfect day for racing, clear blue skies and winds around 14 knots with gusts of 23 knots.

After a short briefing everyone headed off to launch at around midday, by 12:25 without any issues Harry had the first race under way. For the most part racing was close and despite the relatively short courses there were opportunities to gain places even when individual starts didn't go as planned.

Race 1 saw Lewis Walker and Jasper Bush take first place with Tom Krailing and Oliver Winchester second and Emily Krailing and Jemima Cox-Olliff taking third. The wind was strong enough to provide some excellent sailing, though sailors needed to be alert to the gusts.

Race 2 saw three boats capsize at the same time at the closing stages making for an exciting finish. George Cox-Olliff and Evie Winchester took first with Lewis and Jasper taking second and Emily and Jemima securing their second consecutive third place. The strong winds provided a real challenge for the regatta fleet boats, particular for the newer crews who hadn't experienced sailing in these conditions. Everyone challenged themselves and gave it their all.

Cadet class open meeting at Waldringfield - photo © Rosie Reid

Harry's excellent organisation saw 7 successful races delivered. After wards everyone warmed up with hot chocolate and cake before prize-giving. George and Evie, fresh from winning the Inland Championship went on to dominate winning 5 races and finish first overall.

George said, "The wind was good, but shifty, and the racing was good. We got lots of starting practice and I enjoyed the quick turnarounds, thanks to Harry". Evie said "I liked the course and the quick turnarounds because it meant we could get lots of racing in, in good wind".

Lewis and Jasper finished an excellent second overall following their wins in races 1 and 6, and Emily and Jemima delivered a consistent performance to come third. First place in the silver fleet went to Ella Edwards and Edith Pynn who finished 7th overall, and Ollie Walker and Penelope Reid delivered an excellent consistent performance to finish 9th overall and take first Regatta.

We are extremely grateful to Harry for race management, Helen Krailing and Sara Cox-Olliff for organisation as well as all the volunteers on the water, beach and everyone in the galley who made the event possible.

You can follow the Waldringfield Cadet on Instagram @waldringfieldcadets and the Cadet class on Instagram and Facebook @GBRCadets.

Other Awards:

Highest place boat helmed by an under 15: George Cox Olliff and Evie Winchester
Highest placed boat helmed by an under 14: Lewis Walker and Jasper Bush
Highest placed boat helmed by an under 13: Ollie Walker and Penelope Reid
Youngest crew: Margot Pynn and Henry Lowe
Most improved since last year: Zoe Thomas and Thomas Emile

Cadet class open meeting at Waldringfield - photo © Rosie Reid

Overall Results: