Waldringfield Cadet Week 2026 - A Week of Progress

Waldringfield's Cadet Week has always been about the journey as much as the racing, and this year's series brought that theme into sharp focus.

Following Friday's fun lucky-dip pairings, Gold and Silver fleets raced together for nine races, while the Regatta fleet sailed six.

Waldringfield Cadet Week 2026 - photo © Emma Winchester

Progression ran right through the results. Both Oliver Walker, crewed by Harry Ballam, and Rosie Hancock, crewed by Isla McCormick, stepped up from last year's Regatta fleet to finish in the top three of the Silver Fleet. In Regatta itself, Alvy Jones, crewed by Oliver Starr, and Clementine Denny-Pickess, crewed by Rose Lowe, were helming for the first time this year after previously crewing - and finished 1st and 2nd, Clementine pipping Daniel Bird, crewed by Henry Lowe, to third overall on countback after winning the final race.

At the very start of their own journeys were the fleet's youngest sailors, led by crew Victor Lucas, sailing with helm Patrick Pearce, with two more crews within a month of his age. Elsewhere, James Vellacott, crewed by Clara Vellacott, returned to the fleet after a year away and sailed impressively to finish fifth.

Emily Krailing and Evie Winchester at Waldringfield Cadet Week 2026 - photo © Emma Winchester

Moderate but gusty winds tested both sailors and the race committee throughout the event. Sunday's opening race brought a shifty westerly wind. One such shift was so severe that race leader Dylan McArdle, crewed by Harriet Walker capsized, handing the lead to Ella Edwards and crew Edith Pynn, who then infringed Oliver Walker and accepted a scoring penalty in the subsequent arbitration hearing.

Monday served up more chaos at the leeward mark, where several boats followed Rosemary Fish, crewed by Camille Ballam, round the wrong way after her near-perfect first lap. Her error cost two places in the overall standings. Emily Krailing, crewed by Evie Winchester, was the only boat to unwind herself successfully, and went on to win the final two races to finish third overall, with last year's champion Lewis Walker, crewed by Jemima Cox-Olliff, settling for the runner-up spot this time.

The Regatta fleet, by contrast, navigated the course flawlessly.

Lewis Walker and Jemima Cox-Olliff at Waldringfield Cadet Week 2026 - photo © Emma Winchester

Fittingly, it was Tom Krailing's own long journey through Cadet Week that provided the headline result: third in 2024, second in 2025, and now, sailing with Issy Stock for a third year running, Gold fleet champion in his final year in the class. "It was a brilliant weekend with strong breeze and some tricky competition," said Krailing. "Winning Cadet Week is a great feeling and a brilliant way to finish my time in cadets. I'm pleased I could win it with Issy having been close the previous years. She's been an awesome crew and thoroughly deserves this."

Tom's story runs deeper still: his first appearance was seven years ago, in 2019, when Hazel Whittle, sailing her final event as a cadet, took him on as a new crew - giving her previous crewmate, Gwen Thorogood, her first chance to helm her own boat. Hazel and Tom won that year, beating into second a young Ethan Davey, now the coach guiding this year's Regatta fleet. The circle closed nicely this week as Gwen returned to help on the race committee boat; our thanks to her, and to everyone who continues to give back to the class.

Waldringfield Cadet Week 2026 - photo © Emma Winchester

Sunday's crews race, hotly contested now that many crews are trying their hand at helming, was won by Edith Pynn, while the traditional Ex-Cadets and Old Gaffers races provided some entertainment for spectators in the clubhouse. At prize-giving, Roline Pillemer, crewed by Araminta Denny-Pickess, was recognised with the Most Improved award for her continued progress. Thanks to all of Cadet Week's sponsors for their support.

Prize winners at Waldringfield Cadet Week 2026 - photo © Emma Winchester

Overall Results: