THE Videlo family’s contribution to Frensham Pond Sailing Club over three generations was recognised at the annual Royal Yachting Association Awards, held in London on November 24.

The RYA Family Award was presented by Princess Anne to the Videlos who have been a mainstay of Frensham SC for over 55 years.

The awards go to outstanding individuals or groups nominated by their clubs and class associations and selected by the RYA Awards panel for their commitment and services to boating.

Mo Videlo was unable to attend, but the award was collected from The Princess Royal, president of the RYA, by her children, Keith, Ian and Karen (Ferguson), Keith’s wife Steph, and their children Rebecca and Charlotte, plus Ian’s wife Alyson, Karen’s husband Gary and their daughter Megan – quite a family gathering.

As earlier reported in the Herald, Mo and her husband, Don, joined the club with their children, Ian, Keith and Karen, in the early 1960s.

Their passion for sailing has inspired members through the years, while the younger Videlos emerged as dominant dinghy sailors in national and world championships.

Ian won the Cadet Worlds and Nationals in 1975 and the Lark Nationals in 1978. He also followed in his father’s footsteps by becoming Cadet Class Association chairman.

Keith won the Cadet Nationals and Worlds in 1976, the Laser Nationals in 1989, the Laser Masters Nationals in 1996 and the Solo Nationals in 2002. He served as Frensham Commodore from 2012-2015 and is currently the UK Cadet Class sailing secretary.

Steph, having crewed competitively for her brothers in Cadets, is now training principal of Frensham’s youth coaching programme. She and her husband, Gary, have supported the club’s fleet in competitions and accompanied the nine Frensham members of the 20-strong GBR team to the 2016 Cadet World Championship in Argentina.

Keith’s daughters, Rebecca (16) and Charlotte (14), are accomplished Cadet and Laser sailors and RYA assistant dinghy instructors, as is Karen’s daughter Megan (15), the 2016 Inland National Cadet champion.

“It’s really nice to be here picking up an award with our family,” said Rebecca Videlo. “We love being part of our club and we get to see each other all the time. Sailing clubs are really social and you get to make loads of friends.

“Meeting Her Royal Highness was amazing and felt really inspirational.”

• Another Frensham SC stalwart was also honoured at the awards, with David Hawkins taking the Lifetime Commitment Award. The successful expansion of the club’s RYA training programme was due largely to his great commitment in time and energy over 17 years as chief instructor.

He is also a powerboat instructor and his technical expertise is invaluable in maintaining the club’s safety boats and engines.

He is also an unflagging supporter of the club’s Sailability section.

The modest and unassuming David Hawkins has encouraged and inspired others to develop their sailing skills and make their own contributions to the club’s progress.

• RYA chief executive Sarah Treseder presented Princess Anne with a pair of marine binoculars on behalf of the members to mark her 30 years as president.

• For more about Frensham Pond Sailing Club, visit www. sailfrensham.org.uk