Larks at the Waldringfield Easter Egg
by Samuel Bailey 6 Apr 09:28 BST
3-4 April 2026
The second event of the 2026 Craftinsure Lark Traveller Series got under way over the Easter Bank Holiday weekend, as 14 Larks descended on Waldringfield for the ever-popular Easter Egg. With gusts around 30 knots, the stage was set for a spectacular weekend of racing.
Race 1 saw locals Chris & Cathy Fish make a strong start, leading the fleet out to the left-hand side of the course, while visitors Samuel Bailey & Nick Hydon gambled on the right. The fleet eventually converged at the windward mark, with the Fishs' leading and the pack close behind. Bailey & Hydon, however, rounded last, proof, perhaps, that the locals knew best. Lesson learned for the next lap.
Down the run, the Fishs continued to lead, although they should have been on the reach! Dan Watson & Natalie Banister were quick to capitalise, sailing directly to the wing mark, but eventually opened the door for locals Patrick & Andrew Cooney to take the lead. In a closely fought race, Team Cooney held on to win, followed by Watson & Banister in second, with Bailey & Hydon recovering impressively to third.
Race 2, raced in similarly blustery conditions, delivered punishing upwind legs and exhilarating downwind rides. Bailey & Hydon came out on top, with Emma Harris & Frances Gifford securing second and Watson & Banister taking third.
By Race 3, fatigue was beginning to show, but the wind showed no sign of easing. George Graham & Jess Hooker, along with Cadet National Champion Alex Enkel & Hattie Thorogood, emerged as strong contenders, battling at the front. Enkel & Thorogood led for much of the race, but Bailey & Hydon managed to edge ahead for the win. Watson & Banister also slipped through, leaving Enkel & Thorogood to finish third, but they had firmly established themselves as ones to watch.
After racing, the fleet returned ashore for well-earned refreshments before heading into Woodbridge for an evening curry, organised by Simon Cox. Despite extending the invitation, Simon notably declined that Synergy Marine would cover the bill for his 14 guests!!
Day 2 brought more manageable conditions, although with Storm Dave approaching, there was a clear urgency to complete racing before conditions deteriorated.
In Race 4, locals Geoff Sinton & Katherine Burgess led to the windward mark, showing impressive pace. Bailey & Hydon remained in close pursuit, overtaking on the run. On the next beat, Bailey & Hydon tacked early to the left—applying lessons from Day 1—while Sinton & Burgess played the middle. Benefiting from a favourable shift, Sinton & Burgess regained the lead. However, Bailey & Hydon fought back on the final beat to secure the win, with Simon Cox & Ethan Davey taking third.
Going into the final race, Enkel & Thorogood had one clear objective: beat Watson & Banister to secure second overall. Bailey & Hydon led from the front, extending away from the fleet. Behind them, Enkel & Thorogood executed their strategy perfectly, staying low while others went high, and quietly slipping ahead of both Watson & Banister and Harris & Gifford.
The final beat saw the three boats in close contention, but a moment of drama, and possibly amusement, unfolded as Dan Watson struggled to get into his toe straps, much to the entertainment of the fleet and crew Natalie Banister. The distraction proved costly, allowing Enkel & Thorogood to secure second place in the race, with Harris & Gifford in third.
Overall, it was Samuel Bailey & Nick Hydon who claimed victory, scoring four race wins. Watson & Banister narrowly held onto second place, edging out Enkel & Thorogood on countback in third.
A huge thank you goes to the Waldringfield team and to Dan Watson, for organising another fantastic Lark event. Thanks also goes to Craftinsure who continue to generously sponsor the Lark class's traveller series.
Overall Results:
| Pos | Sail No. | Helm Name | Crew Name | Club | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | R5 | Pts |
|---|
| 1st | 2536 | Samuel Bailey | Nick Hydon | South Staffordshire SC/ Shustoke SC | ‑3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| 2nd | 2531 | Daniel Watson | Natalie Banister | Waldringfield SC | 2 | 3 | 2 | 6 | ‑9 | 13 |
| 3rd | 2477 | Alex Enkel | Hettie Thorogood | Waldringfield SC | 4 | 4 | 3 | ‑5 | 2 | 13 |
| 4th | 25 | Emma Harris | Frances Gifford | Waldringfield SC | ‑6 | 2 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 15 |
| 5th | 2288 | Patrick Cooney | Andrew Cooney | Waldringfield SC | 1 | 6 | 5 | ‑10 | 5 | 17 |
| 6th | 2410 | Geoff Sinton | Katherine Burgess | Waldringfield SC | 8 | 7 | (DNF) | 2 | 6 | 23 |
| 7th | 2544 | Nigel Scott | Tegwyn Tricker | RYA | ‑7 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 23 |
| 8th | 2492 | George Graham | Jess Hooker | Locks SC | 5 | 9 | 8 | 8 | (OCS) | 30 |
| 9th | 2540 | George Cox‑Olliff | Lewis Walker | Waldringfield SC | 9 | 8 | ‑10 | 9 | 8 | 34 |
| 10th | 2500 | Matthew Leigh | Charlotte Leigh | Waldringfield SC | 10 | 10 | 9 | ‑11 | 7 | 36 |
| 11th | 2541 | Simon Cox | Ethan Davey | Waldringfield SC | (DNC) | DNC | 4 | 3 | DSQ | 37 |
| 12th | 2504 | John Crooks | Fergus Quinn | Waldringfield SC | (DNC) | DNC | DNC | DNC | 10 | 55 |
| 13th | 2534 | Hannah Carruthers | Isobel Stewart | Frensham Pond SC | (DNC) | DNC | DNC | DNC | DNC | 60 |
| 13th | 2494 | Chris Fish | Cathy Fish | Waldringfield SC | (DNF) | DNC | DNC | DNC | DNC | 60 |