As we don't have a report yet (that I'm aware) I thought I would have a go whilst I can still remember. I'll keep it shortish so others can add more tomorrow. Then we can send off to Y&Y with a couple of pics and a plug for the Nationals. So.....
The 14 Cherubs entered at Castle Cove SC for the Weymouth Regatta were greeted with brilliant sunshine and more wind than Windpessimist had predicted. Six sparkling races were held within Portland Harbour giving arguable the most pleasant racing at a Cherub open this year.
Race One on Saturday started in beautiful twin wiring conditions and the Cherubs were able to properly stretch their wings on a large Windward/Leeward course. Clive and Alex Everest in their new Everest design set the tone for the weekend by showing remarkably quick upwind speed to round the windward mark first and disappear off into the distance. Second was held for most of the race by Andy and Jill Peters until in trying to reel in Clive on the last lap instead let Paul Croote slip through.
Race two was held in a slightly decreased breeze and again Clive led for the first half of the race. The Peters were close behind and some weed with Everest written on it allowed the Peters through into a large lead by the finish. E-Numbers sailed by Phil Kirk and Calum finished third.
Race three was held in the lightest breeze of the day favouring the lighter teams. The Peters duly won, Paul Croote held onto second for most of the later part of the race but a failure to close the door at the finish let the Everests sneak back into second. Other notable performances came from Roland and Hayley Trim getting some good speed out of their new home built and very professional looking Lady Virginia and our erstwhile leader Graham for persevering in 6 hours of traffic after arriving back from holiday at 1am.
Day two dawned even more bright, if that was possible, but with a distinct lack of wind. However by late morning enough breeze had built to waft the Cherubs around the track with single wiring and downwind planning possible for all but the most ardent pie fanciers. It was all to play for on the second day with the Peters and the Everests tied on points and Paul and Phil not far behind. The Everests again showed superior upwind speed to win the first two races, the Peters however were never far behind and this set up a winner takes all final race - although neither of them realised this! Cool Beans sailed by Peter and Paul Jenkins, Paul Croote and Phil Kirk has great racing for positions 3-5 with much swapping of places. After their traffic heroics of Saturday the Bridle's kept a watching brief in 6th.
And so on to the final race. An over stand of the windward mark by the Everests let the Peters lead until the first gybe when a covering tactic by the Everests enabled them to slip past. The Peters hung onto their transom for a lap and repaid the move on the next lap aided by some sunbathing local marine life disguised as Laser2000's. The Peters were able to gain just enough distance over the Everests before the 'DRS' gybe zone on the final lap and held on to win. Given the scoring system in Appendix A this was a crucial win and gave them the meeting on tie break from the Everests. Paul Croote was a clear third showing his new steed has most definitely strengthened his light wind speed and Phil Kirk took advantage of a good night’s sleep to claim 4th overall.
Many thanks to the combined clubs of Weymouth for hosting the Cherubs within their regatta and for laying on such unusual Mediterranean conditions. The next time the Cherubs launch into battle will be for the 2013 National Championships over the August Bank Holiday weekend. If you fancy joining us there are one or two boats that are available for loan. Look at the class association forum for details.
