Holiday Team Race Launches the Season in Style at Waldringfield Sailing Club

A perfect storm of holiday cheer and ardent competition, Waldringfield Sailing Club’s Christmas Eve team race erupted against a backdrop of rattling windows and gusty winds, as an obscenely brisk chill swept in from the Siberian wastelands. Yet, it was precisely this daunting weather that lent the event a particular twist, making it as exhilarating as unwrapping a coveted gift.

Despite the temptation to seek refuge under warm blankets, the fervor for sailing ran high. Ribs were launched amid shivering temperatures, all thanks to the raw enthusiasm and indomitable spirit of the sailors, particularly the younger participants. Youth racing member, Angus, declared the conditions ‘more or less sailable’, and so, wrapping their resilience around them like cloaks against the wind, the participants forged ahead.

On this frosty morning, 26 eager sailors—ranging from World Champions to budding sailing enthusiasts—participated in the race, strategic maneuvers and family rivalries taking precedence over freezing temperatures. Much like a festive game of Monopoly on water, the course was fraught with moments of playful confrontation and cutthroat competition.

And so, after a double-round robin race that culminated in four teams each facing off twice, some worthy winners emerged. But beyond the victories and defeats, it was the communal feeling of resilience and determination that truly took center stage. In the face of a winter chill that could deter even the bravest, the sailors of Waldringfield continued to find joy, camaraderie, and fulfillment on the rolling waves, marking yet another successful start to the holiday season.