UKLA East ILCA Grand Prix at Waldringfield Sailing Club
by Harry Ogden 12 May 20:42 BST
3 May 2026
UKLA East ILCA Grand Prix at Waldringfield © Alexis Smith
Waldringfield Sailing Club was delighted to host the first UKLA East ILCA Grand Prix event of the season on Sunday 3rd May, with 27 competitors from eight different clubs. The beautiful and unspoilt River Deben provided a picturesque backdrop for some exciting and challenging sailing, as sailors enjoyed a healthy breeze at the top of the spring tide.
With a predominantly SSE wind direction averaging 9 - 12 knots, the race officer set a 'P' course and competitors completed 4 back-to-back races, with a short break between races 2 and 3, to adjust the course as the wind direction changed.
Stephen Videlo, from the host club, sailed with skill and precision, and dominated the first three races, leaving Paul Davies, Ben Reason, Freddie Brasted-Watts and Chris Videlo to fight for podium finishes. A second general recall on Race 4, produced a black flag start which sharpened the fleet, producing a new winner in Paul Davies, for the final race.
The age range throughout the fleet showed how popular and competitive the ILCA class remains, and we saw some impressive performances from the younger sailors, especially Nathan Clark, who was ninth overall in an ILCA 6, and won the Under 19 trophy. At the other end of the fleet, the top Grand Master and Great Grand Master both squeezed out the first Master, showing good levels of resilience and fitness.
The fleet retired back to the club for hot showers, as all sailors enjoyed a very good and well deserved late lunch, supplemented by some much needed local ale and light refreshments. Prizegiving offered the opportunity to thank an excellent team of volunteers for all their hard work in delivering a wonderful start to the UKLA East ILCA Grand Prix series.
Category Winners:
1st ILCA 7 - Stephen Videlo - Waldringfield SC
2nd ILCA 7 - Paul Davies - RHYC
3rd ILCA 7 - Ben Reason - Harwich Town SC
4th ILCA 7 - Freddie Brasted-Watts - RHYC
1st ILCA 6 & 1st Under 19 - Nathan Clark - Waveney & Oulton Broad YC
1st ILCA 4 - Nate Sparrow - Waveney & Oulton Broad YC
1st Under 21 - Harry Weymess - Great Yarmouth and Gorleston SC
1st Master - Ben Deacon - Orford SC
1st Grand Master - Simon Beckett - Waveney & Oulton Broad YC
1st Great Grand Master - John Ogden - Waldringfield SC