Cadet class Inland Championship 2024 at Datchet Water Sailing Club

Cadet class Inlands 2024 at Datchet Water © Tim Hampton / www.timhampton.uk

Nestled between Windsor Castle and Heathrow Airport, Datchet Water Sailing Club on the Queen Mother reservoir was the venue for the combined Cadet Class Inland Championship and 420 Class Grand Prix 4.

Having both classes competing at the same time provides an excellent opportunity for the Cadet sailors to see at close quarters one of the possible exciting pathways available to them when their time sailing Cadets sadly comes to an end. An integral part of the Cadet class is to train up young sailors for further sailing adventures in yachts or other dinghy classes. Cadets may even take them to the Americas Cup or the Ocean Globe Race, as it was for Nick Hutton and Willow Bland. It isn't just about sailing skills; sailing in a Cadet provides children with a wide range of skills that will serve them well in adult life off the water such as friendship, teamwork, leadership and resilience.

So it was fantastic to see ex Cadets sailing 420's, with particular mention to Sam Nee (this year's Cadet National Champion) and Gwen Thorogood who paired up to test their mettle in the class and acquitted themselves really well. Of her experience in the 420 Gwen said "Sailing a 420 at the Inland Championships was an awesome opportunity to try out a different class of boat and progress in my sailing journey". However ex Cadets were not just sailing, Rhona Enkle who 'aged out' of Cadets this year, was on the water providing coaching to the Regatta Fleet, and the high standard of sailing was testament to Rhona's excellent support.

Cadet class Inlands 2024 at Datchet Water - photo © Tim Hampton / www.timhampton.uk

Winds were forecasted to be relatively light. When competitors and their families arrived the reservoir looked like a desert oasis in the brilliant sunshine with low lying mirror like water. After briefing the AP flag was hoisted, though it didn't stay up for long. As ripples formed across the water and the wind filled in nicely, racing started!

On the first day racing in the Cadet main fleet was really competitive around the trapezoid course set by race officer Arky. With first, second and third places generally being shared around, at the end of the first day Zachary Windibank and Alice Boddy led, though everything was very open for the next day.

Cadet class Inlands 2024 at Datchet Water - photo © Tim Hampton / www.timhampton.uk

The quality of sailing in the Regatta fleet was very good, and a pattern emerged with all three races being won by Lewis Walker and Oliver Walker, with Samuel English and Minnie Palmer finishing second, and Ella Edwards and Margot Pynn finishing third.

On the final day conditions were very similar to the previous day with winds picking up a little. Arky efficiently delivered the three races for the Cadets (plus four races for the 420s). At the end of the competition there had been change a the top of the main fleet, Monty Hampton and Charlie Jones having picked up two wins secured first place overall, with Zachary and Alice finishing in second place and Alex Enkle and Jude Baldock coming in third. The first placed silver fleet boat was Ava Stoddart and Jemima Cox-Olliff with Monty Slump and Frankie Sherwood coming in second and Teya Brezan and Harriet Dearsley coming third. The top three positions in the Regatta fleet remained the same as at the end of day 1, with Lewis and Ollie narrowly missing out on a clean sweep of first places to top the table with Sam and Minnie finishing second and Ella and Margot in third place.

Other Awards included:

• Highest place boat helmed by an under 15: Mia Stanislaus and Sophie Baer
• Highest placed boat helmed by an under 14: Ava Stoddart and Jemima Cox-Olliff
• Highest placed boat helmed by an under 13: Emily Krailing and Edith Pynn
• Youngest crew: Margot Pynn

Cadet class Inlands 2024 at Datchet Water - photo © Tim Hampton / www.timhampton.uk

The Cadet class is run by hardworking volunteers and those on the committee work particularly hard to make this a successful class. So it was fitting during the awards to also recognise and thank outgoing members of the committee who have made such significant contributions to the class over many years, including Frank Thorogood (class chair), Alice Thorogood (safeguarding and social media), Toby Davidson (event safety officer), Mark Bailey (training co-ordinator), Trish Shepherd (trophies) and David Boddy.

The class is very grateful to our fantastic hosts Datchet Water Sailing Club, sponsorship from Minerva's Virtual Academy, all the volunteers and the 420 class who made this event possible.

Cadet class Inlands 2024 at Datchet Water - photo © Tim Hampton / www.timhampton.uk

Next up in the Cadet calendar is training at Frensham Pond SC and Waldringfield SC and the Waldringfield Open on 2 and 3 November. Visit www.cadetclass.org.uk for further information.

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

Overall Results:

Main Fleet

Regatta Fleet