=====U.K. Cherub 1995 National Championships===== =====Mayflower S.C.,Plymouth, U.K.===== Despite an atrocious weather forecast, Mayflower S.C. successfully hosted this year's Nationals and a full set of 14 races was sailed. The new format of short back to back races on windward leeward courses was used, with triangles being substituted in light weather. ====Thursday==== The first day was probably the least enjoyable with a fickle fluky force three or so breeze and masses of weed in the harbour which tended to dominate the direction sailed and constantly fouling foils. ====Friday==== The second day was sailed inside the breakwater as well due to the fresh conditions and large seas. After a long wait for a frigate to weigh anchor the race officer eventually gave up and set a tight course in the space between two moored ships. The tight course and fresh breeze caused chaos on the first run with most of the fleet in the water at some stage, and added spice was occasioned by a steady flow of shipping on or around the course. The greatest excitement was caused by H.M.S Brilliant when the three leaders dashed across in front of her with kites up, only to be becalmed in windshadow as the rest of the fleet did its best not to sail into the ship's side as they piled down the run. After four frenetic races the fleet limped back to the dinghy park for well earned rest and recuperation. ====Saturday==== Four more races were sailed outside the breakwater on the third day in just enough wind to make life interesting in the lumpy seas with the added bonus of a pleasant spinnaker blast back to the Club afterwards. ====Sunday==== The final day, Sunday was much lighter, rarely exceeding force two, but the use of a triangle course kept everyone powered up in the best gusts. The different conditions shuffled the fleet a little, and allowed the older boats a look in at times. After the rigours of the previous days, the three races seemed to end very quickly allowing an early pack up and prompt getaway afterwards. =====Top Placed Crews===== Helen Marsh, fresh from demonstrating the art of crewing in the winning boat at the Laser 2 Nationals, continued this season's programme of driving Dave Roe's boat, with Dave promoted to crew. The practice of the crew owning and "skippering" is by no means unusual in the class, and has confused many a club entries secretary! Although they had a boatspeed advantage there were enough wobbly tacks and gybes to curb the expected whitewash and keep the series wide open to the final race. Straight fourths on the first day and a fifth in the first race of day two did not auger well but they then settled down with two wins and a second followed by a third and three wins on Saturday. A third and a fifth in the first two races on the last day left everything hanging on the last race. A second place, ahead of their two leading competitors, secured the championship. Andy (Axeman Moths) Paterson, sailing with Adam May made a welcome return to the class, and put together a very consistent series, starting with two seconds and a sixth, and three thirds and a fifth on day two. Their challenge improved further with three seconds and a third on the lighter third day also leaving them capable of winning overall. Two firsts on the final day put them right in line for the Championship, but a fifth in the final race put them down to third place by a quarter of a point. Mike Chalmers and Matt Stobbart were generally consistent and went in to an early points lead by the end of day two after two wins and two seconds in the fresh conditions. The third day started well with a first and second, but they dropped them back thereafter. On the last day their challenge faded as they fell one place behind Helen & Dave in each race but a third in the final race secured them second place overall from Andy and Adam by a quarter of a point. =====Results=====
Blunt End Sharp End No. Design 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Total
Helen Marsh Dave Roe 2660 Pasta Frenzy 4 4 4 5 0.75 2 0.75 3 0.75 0.75 0.75 3 5 2.00 21.75
Mike Chalmers Matt Stobbart 2637 Bistro 3 3 2 0.75 2 0.75 2 0.75 2 5 4 4 6 3.00 23.25
Andrew Patterson Adam May 2650 Paterson 6 2 2 6 3 3 3 5 2 3 2 2 0.75 1 5.00 23.50
Graham Dickenson Sarah Tindall 2647 Bistro 5 6 4 3 4 4 4 4 8 4 6 5 4 0.75 39.75
Martin Walker Dan Walker 2612 Ellway 3 7 5 5 6 9 6 7 8 5 7 5 2 2 6 56
Andy Kinchin Mike Bridgewater 2651 Dog 0.75 0.75 0.75 4 19 11 3 22 4 3 3 20 25 25 69.25
Yvonne Philby Brian Mumford 2657 Dog 8 9 8 8 7 8 10 7 10 9 10 8 14 9 91
Robin Russel Claire Spens 2642 Bistro 19 24 24 9 6 5 19 5 6 8 8 25 10 8 103
Tim Dean Una-Mary Colclough 2662 Pasta Frenzy 24 24 7 24 24 12 6 6 7 10 9 10 8 10 109
Richard Edwards Heidi Walker 2654 Trifle 6 24 24 7 5 7 8 20 20 25 24 7 3 4 111
Simon Roberts Jackie Gregg 2645 Dog 24 24 24 19 24 9 9 9 11 6 7 9 12 12 127
Neil Cardno Ken Scott-Brown 2652 Trifle 11 7 10 13 19 13 12 11 12 11 12 25 25 25 131
Will Lee Phil Alderson 2522 10 8 9 10 10 10 19 25 25 25 25 13 9 16 139
Paul Liddington Alex ? 2705 Murray mod Snow 9 19 13 19 11 19 24 13 20 25 25 12 11 11 157
Mike Rolf Tamsin 2547 24 19 24 11 8 14 19 20 14 25 25 11 13 14 167
Gareth Langford ? 2601 Paterson 24 24 11 19 24 24 11 10 9 12 11 25 25 25 179
Alexander Edwards ? 2535 24 24 24 12 24 24 24 12 13 14 14 14 15 15 180
Martin Harrison Linda Newnham 2663 Death by Chocolate 24 24 12 24 24 24 24 20 25 25 25 6 7 7 196
Simon Williams Simon Clark 2511 24 24 24 24 24 24 24 14 20 13 14 15 16 13 201