“Anyone who asks me what the Laser [ILCA] Nationals were like gets the same answer, “they didn’t mess about!” . It isn't much fun turning up to the nationals when you don't have much experience; you don't know anyone, you get beat hard and there isn't that much going on. So when I rocked up to Plymouth, not having sailed for 15 years or not knowing anybody, I didn't have the best of attitudes! True to form I got beaten badly on the first day but that's when this year’s adjustments kicked in! Dejected, I was met on shore by Guy ‘the Silver Fox' Noble . He said not to worry, that there were race clinics in the morning , Q and A's in the evening and that I'd be assigned a mentor who would make it his business to drive me up the fleet! By the next day I’d beaten somebody and by the third day I’d beaten 5! Everyone in that fleet saw to it that I got better. When the racing was cancelled due to light winds, out came the paddle boards and the good times continued. By Friday I found myself , briefly, sailing across the fleet. Dan Whiteley gave me a positive thumbs up, summing up the whole week nicely: good sailing, good times and good sports.”
John Pitkethly 210191

There will be lots of opportunities to learn and improve your sailing at the Nationals. Check out what will be on offer below.

Morning Race Clinics
Q&A Panels with the day’s winners
Mentor/Mentee Scheme
Briefing on local conditions
Rules Talks
Buddy Races (if racing postponed/cancelled)
Top Sailor Talks and Q&As (at Gala Dinner)

Morning Race Clinic

Every day there will be a Race Clinic. These will be led by top sailors at the event and will cover various topics from set up/rigging to boat speed down wind, from pre race strategy to wave technique. A great opportunity to listen to our best sailors, see what they do differently, and ask them those questions that you’ve always wanted answered. (How much kicker should I be using up wind in 6 knots etc. etc?…)

2022 Race Clinics leaders will be: Matilda Nicholls, James Percival Cooke (Upwind), Jake Farren Price (Downwind), and Daisy Collingridge (Reaching).

Q&A Panel

To kick off the evenings events, you will have the opportunity to question the day's winners at the Daily Prize Giving from Monday to Thursday.

We aim for this to be after dinner at around 7pm.

Mentor/Mentee Scheme

We are hoping everyone will get involved with the Mentor/Mentee Scheme at the Nationals. It’s a great way to meet fellow sailors and get some sailing tips and encouragement.

At the Welcome Evening on the Sunday evening, Mentees will have a chance to choose their own Mentor on a first come first served basis. A list of mentors will be on display and you are invited to write your name next to one. We would like to encourage you to really engage with your Mentor/Mentee at the Nationals, so as to get the most out of the experience and get everyone talking to each other.

There will even be prizes awarded for most improved Mentee/Mentor pairing, based on which Mentors get nominated by their Mentees and also the most improved Mentee from Day 1 to Day 4.

If you’re a Mentor…

Your mentee may have specific questions about sailing an ILCA, or racing/ starting etc. Just be as helpful as you can and try and improve their sailing.

Search out your Mentee, hopefully at the Welcome Evening.
Give advice on any aspects of ILCA sailing
Sail set up for the conditions
Ideas about getting a good start
Help with wind/tide strategy
Give advice on sailing up wind /down wind in waves.
How to cope with big fleets.

If you’re a Mentee…

Your Mentor will try answer any questions you may have about sailing/racing an ILCA.

Search out your mentor, hopefully at the Welcome Evening.
Feel free to ask advice on any aspects of ILCA sailing
Ask advice on sail set up
How to get a good start
Which way to go upwind- wind/tidal considerations
How to sail upwind/downwind in waves
How to cope with racing in a big fleet

Make sure you nominate your Mentor if you wish to be considered for the Mentor/Mentee prizes either by email to thetonywoods@gmail.com or by hand by Midnight on Wednesday. State in what way your Mentor has helped you.

If you feel your pairing is not right…

If you feel you are both at same level just have a chat about the racing together. If you have any other questions or concerns then please speak to one of the UKLA Team.