Otter Success at the Cadet National Championships 16 Sep 2011

The Cadet National Championships were held at Stone Sailing Club from 13th August to 18th August and a total of six Otter crews went to compete. On reflection the conditions over the week could not have been much better. Although one race was abandoned, races were completed every day, and this was the first ranking series to complete all the scheduled races.

The differing conditions mixed together with unfamiliar tidal flow made for some interesting racing and clutch of unfamiliar names at the front of the fleet.

Our guys equipped themselves well with the Gold fleet teams of Nick Sutton & Hattie Sexton, Sam & Ben Barr, Loni Lilienthal & Lucie Offord and Jack Shorter & Sean Scarbrook all achieving top eleven results at some time through the regatta. The Stars however were Nick & Hattie.

Going into the last day any one of three or four teams was in with a chance of winning. Nick did just about all he could in the last two races with a 1st & 2nd to finish the regatta on 33 points. Unfortunately for Nick & Hattie, Ben Hazeldine & George Bridge from Frensham Pond did just enough with an 8th & 10th to win the championship by one point, nevertheless a fantastic performance by Nick & Hattie.

The Otters had two teams in the Bronze Fleet (1st year Helms) with Joe Barr & crew Angus Sadler and Scarlett Anderson with Ella Phelps keen to show what they could do. This fleet was very competitive with no fewer than seven different crews winning the nine races. Scarlett & Ella’s best result was 4th and they finished in a creditable 7th overall but it was Joe & Angus who put together a great series counting no lower than a 4th to give them the Bronze Championship win by no less than 10 points.

The week was rounded off with a Prize Giving dinner & disco which was a fitting end to a great championship that was enjoyed by sailors & parents alike both on and off the water.