Larks at the Waldringfield Easter Egg 2025

Larks at the Waldringfield Easter Egg 2025 © Alexis Smith

Larks at the Waldringfield Easter Egg 2025 © Alexis Smith

The Craftinsure Lark Open circuit moved on to Waldringfield SC on 18/19 April, challenging for the coveted Easter Egg trophy and the delicious locally-sourced chocolate Easter Eggs.

A strong fleet of 13 Larks, combining wise locals and hot-shot visitors, assembled in anticipation of the usual close racing and none were disappointed. A late high tide led to racing being started at the optimal time of 1pm - a welcome development for the visiting sailors - and three back-to-back races.

On Day One, a Force 4 SE wind blew up the river with the flooding tide, resulting in long beats and many tacks up the river edge on the triangle course. The race team did an admirable job, turning around three back-to-back races for 8 fleets in under 3 hours.

Day One belonged to Emma Harris & Fran Gifford (counting 1,1,2), but only after close battles with visitors Nigel Hufton & Matt Wood (2,3,4), Christopher & Cathy Fish (DNC, 1, 2) and the very fast Daniel Watson, sailing with returning Lark sailor Natalie Bannister (3,4,3).

It was great to see brothers Patrick and Andrew Cooney back in a Lark and challenging for the lead - too keen it seems in race 3 as they were OCS! Another highlight was teenagers Alex Enkel & Hettie Thorogood counting a 4th in the first race in their first Open meeting race in a Lark.

As the day went on, many boats were seen to be increasingly heeled, with helms reluctant to keep playing the mainsheet in the gusts. The Saturday night social saw many tired bodies enjoying a rousing dinner in The Fox pub.

On Day Two, the wind had shifted to the Northeast, resulting in very different racing. Starting downriver and beating with the tide, the fleet then had a long Starboard fetch, bearing away onto a run, then roughly retracing one's steps. Catching the gusts on the long fetches was crucial and Harris/Gifford mastered it best in Race 4, disappearing in clouds of spray to win. However, by race 5, Hufton/Wood had learnt how to do it and finished the day with two bullets.

Unfortunately for Hufton/Wood, winning the day was not enough to overhaul the ever-consistent Harris/Gifford, who won the event by a couple of points. Behind them, the results reflected the close racing in the mid-fleet - in race 6, four boats finished within 3 seconds! With Watson/Bannister suffering gear failure, Chris & Cathy Fish rose above the pack to be third. The Cooneys just pipped Nigel Scott and Tegwyn Roberts for fourth place.

Larks at the Waldringfield Easter Egg 2025 - photo © Alexis Smith

A massive thanks goes to all those involved in organising the event, most notably the PRO James Skellorn, who set some wonderful courses - and to the tireless help of the safety crews who were kept busy in the lively conditions and were out on the water for very long (3x B2B races) durations. Grateful thanks from the Larks also go to galley, bar and support teams at the club, who are all volunteers.

With continued support from Craftinsure, the Class were able to offer generous prize wear over and above all, the chocolate eggs!

Larks at the Waldringfield Easter Egg 2025 - photo © Alexis Smith

Overall Results: