Cadet Indicator at Datchet Water (added 8th May 2008)

The Rutland event at Easter was abandoned to strong icy winds, so expectations were high after a long winter’s training for the main fleet of 98 cadets.

The racing started with a lovely 3-4 in sunshine, Tom Kinver and Jamie Proffitt led the way up the first beat, followed by Henry Mills and Oliver Jones, then Rebecca Longman and Alex Corby. The second time round the windward mark saw a lot of position changes, with George Ayre and Nicholas Sutton in Pure Genius pursued by Rebecca Longman in Whitestuff and Louise Latham and Mathew Aldous Horne in Shine On. The next sausage saw Tom Kinver climb back from 14th to first, but George Ayre was to clinch the win, followed by Rebecca and Alex, then Sophie Dingwall and Josie Gummer in third.

In race 2 quite a large pin end bias saw Joanna Freeman and Holly Francis take the lead at the windward mark, followed by Stevie Green and Ben Thame, then Tim Carter and Henry Stone. A series of big gusts with accompanying large wind shifts capsized several boats and shook the fleet up through the rest of the race so that the dominant figures became Joanna Freeman still, in True Blue, (first) then James Hayward and Alex Warrington, (second ) and Sophie Dingwall and Josie Gummer who finished in third place.

After lunch the trapezoid courses were sailed, again in a shifty but lighter wind. Alex Horlock and Tim Pearce extended a large lead throughout the race, as the wind eased. The battle behind had early promise for Joanna Freeman and Alex Frost but they were taken on the following beat so that second place went to William Kennedy and Loni Lilienthal, and third to James Hayward and Alex Warrington.

The trapezoid course was sailed again in race 4. James Hayward in Hammerhead took the early lead, which he retained throughout the race. George Ayre and Nicholas Sutton followed in second, but were beaten to the place by William Kennedy's Genesis.

Sunday saw the sailors arrive to great wind but it quickly dropped as the fleet launched and spent the rest of the day teasing Race Officer Nigel Vick until the day was eventually abandoned.

The first day’s shifty conditions led to some varied results so there is still all to play for at the Weymouth Indicator to come.
Overall Results: 1st James Hayward/ Alex Warrington; 2nd William Kennedy/ Loni Lilienthal; 3rd Joanna Freeman/ Holly Francis.

The Regatta Fleet sailed 7 races over the weekend, finding a nice patch of wind in front of the club house. Eleanor Hinde and Rosie Woodhouse in Iguazu sailed consistently well to pip Nick Cherrill and Ollie Fitzgerald into second place, with Tom Nevett and Ross Thompson in third.

Barry The Snowman Speaks!

Now that the dust has settled I would like to thank everyone for their patience and understanding at Rutland. It is quite a sad thing to have to stand up and cancel the event, knowing how much everyone, kids and adults look forward to racing. It was fantastic to see all the children renew their friendships after the winter break.

The weather forecast for Sunday was correct and we awoke to a covering of snow at Rutland, which would have made any sailing impossible (I was never so glad to see snow).  I enclose some photos.

I would like to thank all those parents who offer their help and time, rib crews, mark movers and layers, safety etc, the list is endless, but without this help no racing would ever occur.  The amount of people who utter those immortal words, “Can I help” is absolutely brilliant.

Upwards and onwards we now look forward to Datchet and hope Mother Nature will be more kind to us.  We have had quite a few discussions and have now decided to run the next two indicators as 7 races each.  Weather permitting we will do 3 on the Saturday and 4 on the Sunday.  Using our new courses we intend to keep the gaps between races to a minimum and again allowing for the weather if possible we will take the sailors ashore for lunch.  We want to assure all parents that the welfare and safety of all the sailors (as at Rutland) is our first priority.   We will award the Inland Trophies and prizes in conjunction with the Datchet Indicator, see amended NOR.

We also have to thank Rutland who reduced the cost of the event to the Cadet Class.  Because of this we are able to offer a refund of £20 per boat to all those who entered Rutland.  This will be deducted from your next payment, if you have already paid for Datchet it will come off Weymouth etc.  Barbara has a list and will make sure everyone will receive their refund over the course of this summers racing.

I know some parents are concerned of what are our costs at events and below is a rough guide of what we have to cover when we arrange an event.

1) Venue Costs:    Usually half our entry fee
2) Race officer, Jury,etc costs,  accommodation and travel
3) Ribs   we pay a nominal fee of £35 for rib owners to drag their ribs all over the country and fuel costs when we race.
4) Stationary/Postage
5) Administrator Costs… Barbara Harrison is our professional Administrator and this is a paid position. We make a small amount at each event and this is to cover this cost. 
6) Gifts   We gave small “thank you” to various people such as bottles of wine or flowers, for their help.  This is a normal courtesy in sailing.
7) Prizes….This is quite a substantial element.

All the other help is purely on a voluntary basis, be it the committee or parents and there are no payments here.

So when we book any event we are faced with all the above payments, irrespective of whether we race or not.  Most venues will not reduce their costs in the unlikely event of a cancellation and it is only the generosity of Rutland that allowed us on this occasion to offer a refund. As a word of caution we might not be able to offer refunds if a similar problem arises in the future. Such is the nature of the beast; events are always going to generate a cost.

So looking forward to Datchet, hopefully to some sun and fair winds

Your ever greying Chairman
Barry