Cadet Class Alf Simmonds Trophy 2026 at Grafham Water Sailing Club
by Sophie Davies 20 Apr 11:58 BST
10-12 April 2026
Cadet Class Alf Simmonds Trophy at Grafham © Angie Meyer
Grafham Water set the stage for the first Cadet selector of the season, the Alf Simmonds Trophy, with 42 boats in the Main Fleet and a Regatta Fleet of five.
As the first of two selection events for the World Championships in Lake Garda later this summer, the stakes were clear from the outset, and the fleet responded with three days of varied and often testing racing.
With a changing of the guard following last season, this event offered an early read on form. What emerged was not dominance from a single pairing, but a wide-open contest shaped by shifting conditions, resilience, and the ability to adapt.
Three days, three very different tests
Day 1 provided the most forgiving conditions of the weekend. A light but sailable breeze allowed the fleet to settle in, rewarding good boat speed and clean decision-making. It was here that some of the more unexpected names began to surface, most notably Mimi Windibank, who delivered a standout opening day performance that would ultimately underpin a podium finish.
Day 2 brought a marked step up in pressure and complexity. As the breeze built, so too did the challenge. By the final race, conditions had tipped firmly into survival sailing, with a high number of retirements across the fleet. Those who could keep the boat upright and maintain composure gained significant ground, and the leaderboard began to reshuffle.
Day 3 opened with a postponement as strong winds swept across Grafham. When racing eventually got under way in around 15 knots, the fleet made the most of the window, completing two races before a short break ashore. During that pause, gusts reportedly reaching 40 knots rolled through the course area, forcing an early end to proceedings and sealing the series.
A series defined by consistency and recovery
Rather than a runaway victory, the Alf Simmonds Trophy was characterised by fluctuation at the top of the fleet. Changing conditions ensured that no single team could control the series throughout, placing a premium on consistency and recovery.
Tom Krailing exemplified this. After a difficult opening day with results landing him 25th in the fleet, he mounted a steady and determined climb through the fleet to finish inside the top 10 overall. It was a performance that reflected both resilience and growing confidence across the weekend.
Mimi Windibank's result was equally noteworthy. Not yet established in Gold Fleet, she made a significant statement with her Day 1 dominance and backed it up across the remaining races to secure an impressive third overall.
Depth across the fleet
Beyond the headline results, the depth of performance across the fleet stood out.
From Waldringfield Sailing Club, a number of younger sailors showed real determination in the stronger breeze, with George Cox-Olliff, Dylan McArdle, Tom Krayling, Kali Karaskas and Jasper Bush all delivering notable performances in the Main Fleet, while Ollie Walker impressed in the Regatta Fleet.
Frensham Pond's squad demonstrated the benefits of a strong winter programme, with clear progress visible across the team and a number of consistent finishes throughout the series.
Individual moments also defined the event. Frankie delivered an exceptional race on Day 2, holding off sustained pressure to secure a hard-earned third place, while Isobel Stamp's resilience was evident in finishing every race in conditions that saw many around her capsize or retire.
From Fishers Green, Alvy Jones crewing for Will Hancock secured a top 10 overall finish, while Daisy Cox, sailing with the youngest crew on the course, Henry Withers, handled the challenging conditions admirably on debut. In the Regatta Fleet, Eden Jones contributed to a strong second-place finish overall.
South Cerney also featured strongly, with Bruce Ward and Alex Harker finishing 5th overall and earning promotion to Gold Fleet, and Will Hancock and Alvy securing 8th. In the Regatta Fleet, Rosie Hancock took 2nd, with Benjie Russell and George Dearsley 3rd and Arthur Jenks and Hatty Dearsley close behind in 4th. Their weekend, like many others, included its share of setbacks, but also highlighted the supportive nature of the class, with sailors and families working together to keep boats racing.
Regatta Fleet progression
The Regatta Fleet, though smaller in number, showed encouraging progression across the weekend, navigating the same varied and often testing conditions as the Main Fleet.
Regatta Fleet Podium:
1. Oliver Walker & Harry Ballam
2. Rosie Hancock & Eden Jones
3. Benjie Russell & George Dearsley
Oliver and Harry secured the overall win with a confident and composed series, while Rosie and Eden delivered a strong and consistent performance to take second. Benjie and George completed the podium, with close racing throughout the fleet reflecting growing confidence and capability across all teams.
Main Fleet results
With eight races completed and one discard, the overall standings reflected the importance of consistency across a highly variable series.
Main Fleet Top Five:
1. Ava Stoddart & Alice Boddy
2. George Cox-Olliff & Evie Winchester
3. Mimi Windibank & George Blackwell
4. Monty Slum & Sam Flood
5. Bruce Ward & Alex Harker
Ava and Alice's victory was built on consistency across the series, navigating the changing conditions with control and composure to secure the Alf Simmonds Trophy. George and Evie remained firmly in contention throughout, while Mimi and George's standout opening day laid the foundation for a well-earned third place overall.
Community at its best
As ever in the Cadet class, the racing told only part of the story.
A defining moment of the weekend came off the water, with a significant cross-club effort to repair Purple Dragon after damage sustained in the heavier conditions. The boat returned to the water with a distinctive pink bow and, more importantly, ready to race again. It was a visible reminder of the strength of the Cadet community, where competition and support sit side by side.
Looking ahead
With the first selector now complete, the shape of the season is beginning to emerge. The variation in results at Grafham suggests that selection for Lake Garda remains wide open, with consistency across both events likely to prove decisive.
If the Alf Simmonds Trophy is any indication, the 2026 Cadet fleet will be defined not just by talent at the front, but by depth, resilience, and a strong sense of collective support.
Acknowledgements
Thanks go to Race Officer Arky Wainwright and his team, including Edwin Buckley, Jo Jones and Kenny English, for delivering a full programme of racing across highly variable conditions.
Particular thanks must also go to the safety teams, led by Andy Stoddart, who were kept exceptionally busy across the weekend. As conditions intensified, their calm, efficient handling of incidents on the water ensured that sailors were supported throughout, allowing racing to continue safely despite the challenges.
Gratitude also extends to the coaches, volunteers and families whose efforts ensure that events like this continue to provide both high-quality racing and a uniquely supportive environment for young sailors.