The international cadet class was on show at this year’s Spring Sail event, which was held at the Royal Geelong Yacht Club from September 16-20 and conducted by Yachting Victoria (Australian Sailing).
The event was comprised of two events, a regatta held across the weekend and a two-day training clinic. As the Australian cadet coach it was extremely encouraging to see the international cadet as the most populous class for the weekend with 17 boats totalling 34 sailors in the regatta and 18 boats (36 sailors) in the clinic.
Cadets racing at this year’s Spring Sail event, held last weekend.
The regatta was won by ‘Stolen Pig’, skippered by Fynn Sprott with Laurence Jeffs as crew from the Sandy Bay Sailing Club in Tasmania, who swept the regatta with the picket fence scoreboard, six wins from six races to count and dropping a second. Runner up was Gabe Nolan and Imogen Farnell in ‘Tempest’ and third was Dominic Randall and Elliot Hughes in ‘Brothers in Arms’.
Click HERE for results from the event.
The sailors at Spring Sail listening to one of the many great guest speakers.
The coaching clinic focused on crew input and starting. We ran a variety of drills and video analysis was a feature in the briefings. Other class coaches were impressed by the camaraderie and discipline of the cadet sailors.
Ashore, the guest speakers were a highlight. On Monday at lunch time former cadet coach and laser masters world champion Gavin Dagley gave an informative talk on tactics which was well received. Rio silver medallist Lisa Darmanin was the evening talk and was amazing, taking the time to answer each question and have her picture taken with so many kids, the Twitter feed went nuts with her for a while.
Australian Olympic silver medallist Lisa Darmanin spoke at the Spring Sail event and had her photo taken with many keen young sailors.
On Tuesday at lunch time it was meteorologist Kenn Batt who gave a fascinating insight into reading weather. His thunderclap style presentation kept everybody alert and attentive.
Overall, a great four days of sailing thanks to Yachting Victoria (Australian Sailing), Royal Geelong Yacht Club and all the amazing volunteers on and off the water.
