Join Us for an Exciting Cadet Week 2024 at Waldringfield Sailing Club!
Waldringfield Sailing Club’s Cadet Week 2024
24-27 August 2024
The ABP Cadet World Championships 2024 have recently concluded, and the next highlight in the Cadet class calendar is Cadet Week at Waldringfield Sailing Club, located along the picturesque River Deben in Suffolk.
Cadet Week is a cherished annual event at Waldringfield, where fun social activities are just as significant as the competitive racing. It’s a fantastic opportunity for young sailors to not only compete on the water but also forge friendships with peers from across the nation once they are on shore.
The Cadet class continues to thrive due to diligent efforts from various squadrons to recruit new sailors and develop existing ones into proficient helms. This dedication is evident, with around 90 young sailors participating in Cadet Week and an impressive 44 boats competing from clubs including Fishers Green, Rickmansworth, South Cerney, Frensham Pond, alongside the home club Waldringfield.
Notably, this year’s event featured an 18-boat Regatta fleet, with 13 crews who had only recently begun sailing and four teams making their debut in a Cadet boat.
On Day 1 (Friday), all eyes were on the weather as Storm Lilian swept through East England. Many attendees were concerned about travel disruptions, the viability of racing, and whether their tents would withstand the wind. Nevertheless, 23 boats made it on time for three trophy races. The winds had calmed when racing commenced, leading to three highly competitive races with Gold, Silver, and Regatta boats.
The first race saw George Cox-Olliff and Evie Winchester (WSC) clinch first place, followed by Sophie Ringland and Rhona Enkle (WSC) in second, and Oscar Bush and Harriet Walker (WSC) in third. In the second race, Alex Enkle and Jude Baldock (WSC) emerged victorious, with Dominik McArdle and Toby Card (WSC) taking second place, while Tom Krailing and Issa Stock (WSC) secured third. Alex Enkle and Jude Baldock (WSC) repeated their success in the final trophy race, with Tom Krailing and Issa Stock (WSC) in second and Will Hancock (SCSC) and Lucas Fish (WSC) finishing third.
The evening culminated in a riverside BBQ, with children enjoying beach activities and reconnecting with friends from other clubs.
Day 2 (Saturday) brought a stark change in weather. The clear blue skies from the previous day gave way to rain and lighter winds. Despite the gloomy conditions, excitement filled the air as participants received event rash vests and other goodies before launching.
The day began with three championship races for the main fleet (Gold and Silver) and two coached races for the Regatta boats. The skilled Race Officer Iain Videlo efficiently managed a full racing schedule, resulting in two wins for Alex Enkle and Jude Baldock in the main fleet, while Hettie Thorogood and Clementine Denny Pickess secured another win. In the Regatta fleet, victories went to Jasper Bush and Elsa Stock, along with Primrose Denny Pickess and Alice Manning.
The evening, although dry, saw the breeze completely vanish, postponing the Ex-Cadet and Old Gaffer races until the following day. Dinner featured Heidi’s renowned curries and pasta, followed by children playing ‘manhunt’ in the village—a game reminiscent of hide and seek. The night concluded with a s’mores marathon on the beach, where 350 marshmallows were toasted!
Day 3 (Sunday) started with activities such as paddle boarding, swimming, and football. However, conditions worsened as the wind intensified to gusts of around 25 knots, presenting a significant challenge, especially for the Regatta boats and novice crews. Many localized sailors wisely opted not to venture out, while most of the others displayed remarkable resilience and skill.
By day’s end, Alex Enkle and Jude Baldock excelled, winning all three main fleet races, while Bruce Ward and Oscar Ward adapted impressively to take the top spots in the Regatta fleet.
The evening provided ideal conditions for the Old Gaffers and Ex-Cadets races. The Ex-Cadet race—open to anyone reliving their youthful sailing days—was won by Stephen Videlo, followed by Alan Krailing in second and Harry Pynn in third. The Old Gaffers race required a combined helm and crew age of at least 70; Alan Krailing and Katie Card finished first, with Chris Fish and Don Stanislaus second, while Harry Pynn and Gemma Cook claimed third.
After indulging in a hearty roast for dinner, the evening’s entertainment featured gold fleet sailor Tom Krailing, whose engaging quiz challenged participants’ knowledge of the Cadet class and their knot-tying along with donut-eating skills.
An early start was on the agenda for the final day, commencing with a 10 am launch. The traditional crews race kicked off with 24 eager crews competing from the club line, racing down the Deben to finish near the ‘Rocks.’ Bragging rights belonged to Joshua Booth, with Jude Baldock claiming second place and William Pipe finishing third.
After four exhilarating days of colorful sailing in varying conditions, congratulations are in order for Alex Enkle and Jude Baldock (WSC), who secured first overall in the main fleet, with Hettie Thorogood and Clementine Denny Pickess (WSC) finishing second and Daniel Ringland and Joshua Booth (WSC) taking third place.
In the silver fleet, Will Hancock and Lucas Fish (SCSC/WSC) took the top honors, followed by Sophie Ringland and Rhona Enkle (WSC) in second and Emily Krailing and Clara Vellacott (WSC) in third. The Regatta fleet was won by Bruce Ward and Oscar Ward (SCSC), with Lewis Walker and Milly Balam (WSC) in second and Jasper Bush and Elisa Stock (WSC) claiming third.
The success of this event was possible due to the incredible support from dedicated volunteers, especially Sara Cox-Olliff, Helen Krailing, Ian, and Alyson Videlo for their outstanding race organization. The support from sponsors like Woodbridge Boatyard, Roberto’s Ice Cream, Finborough School, Synergy Marine, Fox’s Chandlery, and Aquabridge Law was also greatly appreciated.
For updates on the Cadet class, follow them on Instagram and Facebook @GBRCadets.
Main Fleet Results:
| Pos | Fleet | Boat Name | Sail No | Helm | Crew | Club | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | R5 | R6 | R7 | R8 | R9 | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Gold | Joint Effort | 10012 | Alex Enkel | Jude Baldock | Waldringfield SC | 1 | 1 | -2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | -4 | 1 | 1 | 7 |
| 2nd | Gold | Boombastic | 10032 | Hettie Thorogood | Clementine Denny Pickess | Waldringfield SC | -6 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 3 | (OCS) | 3 | 16 |
| 3rd | Gold | Vortex | 10055 | Daniel Ringland | Joshua Booth | Waldringfield SC | 3 | -19.5 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 4 | -8 | 24 |
| 4th | Gold | Matador | 10129 | Tom Krailing | Issy Stock | Waldringfield SC | 2 | 5 | 3 | 6 | -13 | -10 | 5 | 3 | 6 | 30 |
| 5th | Gold | Hypersonic | 10128 | George Cox Olliff | Evie Winchester | Waldringfield SC | 7 | 4 | -12 | (DNF) | 6 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 31 |
| 6th | Gold | Utopia | 8529 | Mia Stanislaus | Jemima Cox-Olliff | Frensham Pond SC | 4 | 3 | 6 | 4 | -9 | 3 | 6 | 6 | -11 | 32 |
| 7th | Silver | Thunderstruck | 10094 | Will Hancock | Lucas Fish | South Cerney SC | 5 | 8 | 4 | 5 | 8 | (DNF) | 9 | -16 | 7 | 46 |
| 8th | Gold | Hammerhead | 9631 | Dominik McArdle | Toby Card / Mima McMorris | Waldringfield SC | 12 | 7 | 5 | 9 | 5 | 9 | -14 | (OCS) | 9 | 56 |
| 9th | Gold | Enigma | 10003 | Oscar Bush | Harriet Walker | Waldringfield SC | 9 | -13 | 9 | 12 | 4 | (DNF) | 13 | 10 | 5 | 62 |
| 10th | Silver | Spritzer | 9241 | Sophie Ringland | Rhona Enkel | Waldringfield SC | -20 | 11 | 10 | 7 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 8 | -14 | 62 |
Regatta Fleet Results:
| Pos | Boat Name | Sail No | Helm | Crew | Club | R1 | R2 | R3 | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Di Maggio | 8513 | Bruce Ward | Oscar Ward | South Cerney SC | 2 | -7 | 1 | 7 |
| 2nd | Hurricane | 10121 | Lewis Walker | Milly Balam | Waldringfield SC | 3 | 2 | 13 | |
| 3rd | The Great Escape | 9962 | Jasper Bush | Elsa Stock | Waldringfield SC | 1 | 4 | 15 | |
| 4th | Zest | 9876 | Ella Edwards | Edith Pynn | Waldringfield SC | -10 | 3 | 15 |
Trophy Race 1 Results:
| Pos | Fleet | Boat | Sail No | Helm | Crew | Club | Place |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gold | Hypersonic | 10128 | George Cox Olliff | Evie Winchester | Waldringfield SC | 1 |
| 2 | Silver | Spritzer | 9241 | Sophie Ringland | Rhona Enkel | Waldringfield SC | 2 |
Crews Race Results:
| Pos | Sail No | Helm | Place |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 10055 | Joshua Booth | 1 |
Ex-Cadets Race Results:
| Pos | Sail No | Helm | Place |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 932 | Stephen Videlo | 1 |
Old Gaffers Race Results:
| Pos | Sail No | Helm | Crew | Place |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 10129 | Alan Krailing | Katie Card | 1 |
Oliver Hayes, a seasoned sailor and marine journalist from Southampton, has a profound love for the sea that has shaped his career. Holding a degree in Marine Journalism from the University of Portsmouth, Oliver is celebrated for his compelling and insightful storytelling. His work vividly captures the excitement of sailing and the rich maritime heritage of the United Kingdom, making him a respected figure in the sailing community. When not writing, Oliver enjoys exploring the British Isles’ diverse coastlines and participating in local regattas, always on the lookout for his next nautical adventure.