Corinthian Otter Cadet Open Meeting 31 May 2012
After a superb day’s training on Saturday, when 20 Cadets enjoyed champagne sailing and excellent coaching with Mike Mac, Chris Videlo and Katie Barr, everyone retired with fingers crossed that Sunday would bring similar conditions for the Otter Open.
24 boats re-convened on Sunday morning in, once again, wonderful conditions. The fleet launched soon after the briefing and made their way down to the race area in the mouth of the Roach to contest five races for the Schoolboy Trophy, which is one of the oldest children’s sporting trophies in the country.
A good breeze and determination by PRO Edwin Buckley meant racing started promptly on the same race track that the 2nd Indicator will be contested on 2nd & 3rd June.
Race 1 Frensham duo Ben Shorrock & Beatrice Sexton (8441 It takes Two) took the gun from older brother Matt Shorrock & Ryan Wilkinson (8352 Master Mariner) with local brothers Nick Sutton & Joshua Bennett (8844 Nasty Tern) taking 3rd.
Race 2 Fisher Green’s Alex Corby & Robert Kean (9000 White Stuff) won, Nick & Josh were second and Jack Wilson with Jim Brooker from Frensham, sailing the oldest Cadet on the circuit, 735 Pintail were 3rd.
Race 3 Nick & Josh got their first bullet of the series, Alex & Robert were 2nd and Annie Knott with Ellie Wootton (8432 Trident) from Waldringfield fought their way into the frame in 3rd position.
A consistent breeze in both strength & direction coupled with a short lunch break meant the race team was on schedule to complete the five race series.
A new name hit the front in Race 4 with a superb win for Willow and Cara Bland (9030 Flying Scotsman) from Waldringfield followed by Jack & Jim, with Alex & Robert 3rd. The fifth & final race of the day started in good time and Nick & Josh again sailed well to secure their 2nd win of the series, Willow & Cara repeated their excellent after-lunch form with a second and everyone in the Otters was delighted to see Jack Shorter & Adam Lloyd (8435 Blue Moon) in 3rd, just deserts for their hard work this winter.
Credit must go to the PRO and his team for running a fantastic event which included five races with the first boats ashore by 15:30. A great day’s racing culminated in the prize giving where the Schoolboy Trophy was allowed out of the cabinet just long enough to be presented to Corinthian Otters Nick Sutton and Josh Bennett, who won the event with 7 points from Alex & Robert on 11 points and Matt & Ryan in 3rd on 15 points. The top three crews were also presented with Rooster kit and a Musto Bag went to youngest crew Angus Collingridge from Waldringfield.
We now turn our attention to the weekend of 2nd & 3rd June when the 2nd Selector for the Cadet Worlds’ team takes place in Burnham with 60+ boats expected.