Cherub Nationals Report

Eighteen Cherubs lined up over the bank holiday weekend for some close tactical racing and off the water fun.

Day 1 proved to be a game of snakes and ladders with some distinct holes in the wind creating some place changes. Race 1 started with last year's champions Jill and Andy Peters in Usagi leading but father son team of Clive and Alex Everest in A&E were soon up to speed and took the lead and the race win. Race two started with a pin end tangle slowing three boats. A&E capitalised to lead Paul and Peter Jenkins in Cool Beans at the first mark. After recovering from the tangle Paul Croote and Ed Higham in Marmite engaged warp drive and recovered to second place at the finish. In race three the fleet got away with a cleaner start but Clive dropped the main and capsized allowing Usagi to take the win from Marmite. Further down the fleet the wind shifts and holes were causing some place changes allowing e places to be lost or gained on the beats however the day was remembered for bright sunshine and otherwise champagne sailing conditions.

Day 2 started with light winds and a shore postponement. Once on the water Marmite made a good start in race 4 and led at the windward mark. A&E regained the lead on the downwind leg and built a lead to finish ahead of Usagi. Race 5 saw Marmite and Cool Beans bang the left hand side and get away from the fleet only to get stuck in a hole on the downwind and watch A&E and Usagi storm past them. These 2 went on to take 1st and second ahead of Cool Beans in 3rd.

Day 3 was expected to be remembered as windy Monday but by race time the wind had dropped to a light breeze and the bank holiday rain had stubbornly set in. The fleet stayed close together in race 6 exchanging places in the light winds. Behind the top 4 Tom Hole and Andrew Whapshott in The Subtle Knife sailed a good race showing devastating speed. The wind picked up for race 7 testing the skills and crew work and allowing the fleet to show what true cherub thrills are made from. A&E won from Cool beans and Marmite. The rain eased with the wind and race 8 started with crews forward and marginal trapeezing for the helms. A&E led from Phil Kirk and Dave Ching in E-Numbers at the windward mark with these two splitting down-wind to avoid the wind shadow of a large container ship. This created a hole which affected all but A&E. Johnny and Alex Harris in Ronnin had their best race trading places with E-numbers and Marmite for the rest of the race but doing enough to clinch second ahead of Marmite.

That evening the usual friendly Weston SC hospitality entertained the fleet with good food and a lively band.

On the final day the now soggy fleet were met by more rain and no wind. After 2 hours postponement and no forecast for anything better remaining races were abandoned.

Clive and Alex Everest in A&E were the undisputed champions counting 7 first places. Nick Pratt and Jo Hutchinson in Madge won the 97 rules trophy.

Weston SC were thanked for running an efficient championships in some difficult conditions. It is notable that the standard of the fleet has improved and the racing is getting closer year on year. At the prize giving the top three enjoyed some of Magic Marine's generous sponsorship of the event gave the top three prize winners a choice of some exciting kit.

Photo credit WSC.

Overall Results: