by Ben Nicholls - ILCA UK Youth Rep and vice Chair

Choosing the best ILCA Rig - Which ILCA rig most suits me?

Whether moving into the Class for the first time, or contemplating changing up to a larger rig, the summer is the time of year most sailors transition. As a former ILCA sailor myself and the father of 2 girls who have transitioned through the junior and youth pathways, I am regularly approached for advice on which ILCA rig is best for a young sailor. 

It is important to ask yourself: What are your aspirations? - not your parents’ aspirations, what are your aspirations….

The way you answer this, will shape how best to approach transitioning.

·        If you aspire to enjoy fun and friendly racing at your Club and occasionally travel to another regatta, the reasons for transitioning will be quite different to someone aspiring to compete on the international and maybe eventually the Olympic circuit.

·        A Club sailor can take more time and be more relaxed about transitioning. The club sailor should sail the rig they most enjoy.

·        Meanwhile an aspiring international will need to be moving up the rigs in time to grow into the most appropriate rig.

There are certain steps on the ILCA pathway that aspiring Internationals should consider.

Long-term pathway, or short-term glory?

Exceptions to the above pathway:

It really depends what you would like to achieve with your sailing as to how long you should stay in a particular rig. The easy option is of course to stay put with what you know and currently sail. However, if you are keen and determined to progress with your sailing it will most likely reward you moving up a rig a year or so earlier than your peers. This allows you to get a taste of the high-performance levels in the bigger rigs and gives you time to adapt naturally with time on your side.

Some sailors choose to stay in a smaller rig longer than their peer-group in order to grab some front of the fleet experience and possibly some silverware and medals on the way. Whilst in the short term this may seem appropriate and logical, it is often regretted later, with a pathway ahead of many levels still to climb. Some sailors perceive the ILCA4 as a 2 year pathway, even when joining the rig relatively late after completing their Junior racing in other classes, sailors should remember that in the UK, the ILCA4 is encouraged as a Junior (U16) Class and supported as such by British Youth Sailing (BYS). The ILCA6 may have less scheduled British Youth Sailing coaching, but this is more than made up by the large amounts of UKLA and ASC Performance Academy Training, which is often supported by BYS.

It is therefore important to ask yourself once again, what are your aspirations….? It’s fine not to know yet or be completely sure on what you want to do, but whilst you have the opportunity now you might as well make the most of the experience and improve your sailing as much as possible. It’ll make your life easier in the future!

Should I campaign more than 1 rig?

When deciding to transition, do your research, make the decision and stick to it. Rarely has a sailor benefited from alternating between sailing 2 rigs, even worse 3 rigs. The balance of the boat for all 3 rigs is very different. The kinetics required for maximum performance are different and it is not at all straightforward to flip between rigs at a close interval. Going to events is expensive, it’s better to practice thoroughly with your chosen rig, for your specific event. Of course, the flip of this is just to have fun sailing at as many regattas in the calendar as you want, regardless of results. Again, it comes back to what your aspirations are.

Height and weight - 

There is plenty of misinformation on this subject - too many misinformed opinions given to sailors new to the class. It is true that having a height and weight combination suited to a certain boat is helpful, but most specialist ILCA coaches will tell you there is not a certain height or weight you must be to compete at National & International levels. What is needed is a combination of high fitness levels, excellent technique, weight, and height.

The ILCA caters to a broad weight range. UKLA’s National Championships, Qualifiers and Youth Series have seen sailors on the podium ranging from low 50kgs to upper 80kgs.

• ILCA4 50kg – 65kg

• ILCA6 60kg – 78kg

• ILCA7 73kg – 90kg

It is the case that a smaller sailor will have to make up the weight difference sailing upwind in breeze by being fitter and hiking harder. However, they can also very easily benefit by larger margins with better speed downwind! Top Olympians, both male (ILCA7) and female (ILCA6) are not at the top end of the weight ranges.

Enjoyment

I think the biggest recommendation is that whatever you do, you should only do what makes you happy and what you believe the right thing is for you. Change can seem scary, but it can also bring brilliant opportunities and new avenues. Whilst a new rig can seem overwhelming, stick with it and back yourself. This journey should be one full of fun and rewarding challenges.

I would like to thank our Training Officer Tim Hulse and Class Reps Sam Whaley (ILCA 7), Jane Sunderland (ILCA 6) and Pamela Cross (ILCA 4) for their input.

Ben Nicholls