There were sixteen entrants to the UK Cherub Class Travellers Trophy 2010. The format is based on five event around the country, roughly in the North, East, South, West and an inland event, meaning that every Cheruber had their “local open meeting”.
The series kicked off at Whitstable Yacht Club with 11 entrants, including a debutant Chris Lewns in the Antidote to Panel Games and the long awaited return of Dave Roe sailing The Pasta Frenzy. In fairly light breeze the racing was incredibly close between the E5’s, Antidote and Usagi Yojimbo, sailed by Andy and Jill Peters. Antidote must have had “beginners luck” on home waters to take victory.
There are a plethora of sailing clubs on the South coast, but this year the Cherubs visited Poole Yacht Club, the home of Shiny Beast. This event was a real test of boat handling in a solid breeze with a small course on Day One. The fleet was shattered by the evening and enjoyed a barbecue at Dave and Lara’s house in Bournemouth. There was too much breeze for sensible sailing on the second day and so the deserved leaders from the first day took home the win, Tim Noyce and Alex Cramp in The Badgers Nadgers.
Next on the calendar was Thornbury Sailing Club on the Severn Estuary. The club provided some challenging tidal racing and an interesting break from the windward/leeward courses we normally sail. Remembering the order of the marks proved too much for Stu Tinner and Ross Burkin in Ronin, but no problem at all for the winners Graham and Eddie Bridle in Riot Van who made best use of their experience of sailing in strong tide.
The class organised the Northern event to be on the way to the National Championships in Scotland, in order to break up the long drive. The venue was Sunderland Yacht Club. The breeze on Day One was too much for sensible racing and it was cancelled. Everything had calmed down a little on Sunday and the Cherubs had some close racing. The victory went to the brand new boat for this season, E-Numbers, sailed by Phil and Sarah Kirk.
The Bridles, Senior and Junior, were leading the Travellers Trophy going in to the final event of the season. The fleet headed to Queen Mary Sailing Club in order to test their skills and this event doubled as The Inland Championships. There was extremely close racing not only at the front of the fleet between the “05 Rules” boats, but also between the “97 Rules” Cherubs. Local sailors Andy and Jill Peters on Usagi Yojimbo won the Inland Championships.
After five races and no discards Graham and Eddie Bridle were top of the table and deserved winners. They proved consistency was the name of the game, always being in the top four finishers. The series have results have gone to prove how competitive the racing is in the Cherub fleet with all five events having different winners. Following the success in 2010 the Cherub fleet are training hard over the winter in preparation for the meetings of 2011 to pit ourselves against each other for a shot at the title.
