Interclass Team Racing 2026 at Waldringfield Sailing Club
by Robbie Stewart 8 Jun 11:31 PDT
6 June 2026
Interclass Team Racing at Waldringfield © Neil Collingridge
Last Saturday saw the first Waldringfield SC club team racing event. The day dawned blustery and rainy: yet four teams made up of a broad mix of sailors, ranging from our keen, young Cadet sailors to those who have completed slightly more trips around the sun, arrived for an exciting and challenging day on the water using WSC's fleet of Fireflys.
The day began with a quick refresher for those that may not have team raced since their university days before launching straight into the round robin.
Due to the course being positioned a little way from the club, the teams not racing were on the so called 'Hotel Boat' of Kirton Owl wonderfully positioned just off the finish line so as to give maximum view of the racing, and allowing for discussions of tactics, manoeuvres and the various thrills and spills, including a few capsizes and some occasional missed toestraps. The use of Kirton Owl for the waiting teams provided a strong camaraderie between everyone, despite the weather.
With the wind true to forecast and increasing throughout the day, the decision was taken to finish the round robin after 12 races, so every team raced the others twice, with Tips (Robbie Stewart, Charlotte Stewart, Stephen Videlo, Matt Leigh, John Ogden, Matt Taylor) remaining undefeated to take the inaugural victory.
Kirton took second place in front of Galleons Hard and The Rocks with all three teams finishing on two race wins and separated on average points.
Huge thanks must be given to Neil Collingridge and Andy Bush for organising the team racing at Waldringfield, as well as ensuring the interclass team racing occurred, as well as Neil for being the race officer and umpire.
A big thank you also to everyone who volunteered to sit on the start, finish and rescue boats, allowing the event to happen, as well as to everyone who donated old Cadet main sails used as cut downs.