Cherubs at the Weymouth Dinghy Regatta 2022

Six Cherubs made the trip to Castle Cove for Weymouth Dinghy Regatta, and the sunshine definitely didn't disappoint. The wind was a little less cooperative with an hour's postponement on the Saturday whilst we waited for the sea breeze to come in, once it did, we were treated to a lovely 12 knots.

Race 1 - Starting in amongst the handicap asymmetric fleet there was a range of boats to dodge ranging from Musto Skiffs and VX Ones to 2000's and Feva's. Off we went up the first beat, avoiding the HUGE wind shadows of the VX Ones, Marmite, Usagi and Poppy arrived at the windward mark almost together and hoisted for the downwind. Gradually Usagi and Marmite pulled clear of Poppy who was looking a bit rusty after not sailing for a few weeks. This set the tone for the race with Usagi and Poppy fighting for the win, Poppy in a slightly distant third, closing upwind but losing a little downwind, and Eleanor, EJ and Antidote mired in the handicap fleet trying to break into clear air.

Race 2 - More of the same, Poppy and Usagi arrived at the windward mark together, Marmite just behind, this time Poppy got clear only to fall into a lull near the bottom mark and have Usagi slide through on the rounding. The rust shaken off Poppy pulled out a gap to lead over the line and extended the gap all the way upwind leading across the line and never troubled again.

Race 3 - Poppy was seen capsized with 3 minutes to go after the t foil rope came untied off the rudder pin, at least it came undone between the races!!!! Usagi rounded in the lead with Poppy sneaking in just behind on port tack. The breeze was starting to drop and becoming patchy just as the local weather gurus had promised it would. Marmite slipped through to second on the downwind when Poppy found a hole.

Race 4 - Sunday dawned with a patchy 6 knots and more sunshine. It was a day of crews on the foredeck and helms sat on the rack, or in the case of the lighter ones, flat wiring. Finding clear air was key, much harder when the fleets ahead weren't clearing the beat before the next fleet started, although they did provide a good indication of where the holes were. A race long battle between Usagi, Marmite and Poppy saw Usagi eventually come out on top with Poppy sneaking past Marmite on the short beat to the finish.

Race 5 - Eleanor played a blinder and pushed Usagi all the way, Poppy had a nightmare in the dying breeze. It was pure fluke in this race, and we were all very glad when the race officer cut it to a one lap sprint.

After a little drifting around whilst the fleet finished some of the fleet had already started to head ashore, for those that hung around to make sure there wouldn't be another race when the race officer abandoned for the day Poppy performed a slightly above average cherub salute to say thanks.

Overall Results: