News
ILCA UK AGM 2024
2024 ILCA UK AGM will be held during the Nationals at WPNSA
15th August 2024
This year’s AGM will be held during the Nationals.
If you have ideas for the class and would like to help to implement them, please join the main committee or any subcommittee of your interest.
Committee meetings take place once a month over zoom and, in between, sub-committes and groups work on various projects.
The success of our class is thanks to those committed individuals that make things happen for the benefit of all.
Send us a line with what would you like to get involved with. Please email nominations or questions and ideas to office@ilca.uk
We are looking forward to achieving even more next year.
Be part of the ILCA UK Team!
ILCA Welsh Championships - Dale Yacht Club
Dale Yacht Club, 28-30th July 2023
By Paula MacLaverty
At the beginning of the week, the weather didn't look great for this year's ILCA Welsh Championships, however, the forecasted 40knot gusts didn't materialise and thirty ILCA sailors gathered at Dale to compete.
Saturday got off to a breezy start but a consistent wind direction and average wind speeds topping 23knots allowed for three somewhat lively races for the ILCA 4 & 6 fleets before the increasingly blustery conditions sent the fleets ashore. Race wins from Bronwen Thomas and Nina Marsh, with seconds in two of the three races by Macsen Barber resulted in three sailors with equal points at the end of the first day in the ILCA 4 fleet. In the ILCA 6 fleet Freddie MacLaverty trailed Iris Singleton by one point.
With concerns that Sunday's racing may be affected by the weather, the race officer decided on four races for the ILCA 7 fleet. With race wins from George Colquitt, James Curtis and Ian Clingan the leading sailors were close in points at the end of day one.
After a lively night for most sailors (the wind on the campsite, not the party) Sunday dawned calm, if not a little wet. Race committee launched the fleets early with the intention of two races for all fleets before the wind picked up again. The first race was rather sedate when compared to the previous day, with wind speeds of between 5 and 8 knots, however, by the time race 2 was underway the wind was starting to build, reaching gusts of over 34 knots.
First ILCA 7 George Colquitt
First IlCA 6 Freddie Maclaverty
First ILCA 4 Nina Marsh
Full results:
Congratulations to all the sailors for managing the challenging conditions.
A great weekends sailing. Thank you to Celtic Sea Watersports for hosting a great event.
Further thanks go to our great sponsors:
Sailingfast, Ovington Boats, Rooster Sailing and Fernhurst Books
UKLA AGM 2023
2023 UKLA AGM will be held during the Qualifier 4 at Paignton SC
16th September 2023
We opted for a hybrid meeting (in person and online) to give as many members a chance to participate as possible.
If you have ideas for the class and would like to help to implement them, please join the main committee or any subgroup of your interest.
Committee meetings take place once a month over zoom and, in between, sub-groups work on various projects.
The success of our class is thanks to those committed individuals that make things happen for the benefit of all.
Send us a line with what would you like to get involved with. Please email nominations or questions and ideas to office@ilca.uk
We are looking forward to achieving even more next year.
Be part of UKLA Team!
Updated 2024 UKLA Senior Qualification document
UKLA has published a draft updated 2024 UKLA Senior Qualification document that we intend to use as replacement for the current document in August 2023. It will also replace the UKLA Qualifier Series Notice – February 2023.
The updated document continues to reflect UKLA’s view that sailors who want to represent the UKLA in restricted entry events should plan on competing in at least 4 Qualifiers and that the fact that the Ladder only includes a sailor’s 4 best scores of the 6 included (or 3 best scores if fewer than 5 are included) will often be sufficient to address a sailor’s inability to attend a Qualifier because of illness, injury or other circumstances.
Our intention in updating the policy includes ensuring it is “timeless” and making clear that decisions on the award of any Discretionary Points are within the exclusive jurisdiction of the UKLA and not within the jurisdiction of any Protest Committee or other authority.
British Sailing Team or British Sailing Squad members are an important part of the UKLA and we continue to support them. We also expect them to attend Qualifiers where practicable. Where their attendance at a Qualifier is inconsistent with their planned sailing programme, they may request Discretionary Points. Any request relying on this criterion must be supported by a written explanation supporting the request from the relevant team or squad management.
The updated document also clarifies that upcoming Restricted Entry Events will in general use a ranking based on the 6 most recent Qualifiers.
If you would like to provide feedback on this draft policy please do here so by 14th August 2023.
(Please note than Ladders may not yet to up-to-date and we that intend to publish a list of requests for Discretionary points for recent Qualifiers in August.)
Hollowell Sailing Club training evening
What a great initiative by the Hollowell Sailing Club to use UKLA resources to upskill their club sailors! Now… there is a Super Grand Prix coming up at Hollowell SC 1-2nd July 2023. Could it be that they have some good prizes that they are trying to win…? Perhaps more clubs should prepare this way?
Read below how they they have done it…
14 Hollowell SC sailors turned out on the evening of 22 April to look at the ILCA winter training Zoom sessions. All together, in person and at the club.
We watched the first session on rigging then went out to look at Steph’s shiny new boat lovingly rigged by Mike.
After our discussions, food was served with delicious lasagna (provided by Alister and others) with salad and puddings. We watched the second video of Daisy and Matilda wowing us with their skills while we were eating.
All we have to do now is remember what was said and practice!
1-2nd July - Hollowell SC Super Grand Prix (Part of Midlands GP series)
Rigging Steph’s new boat
Watching zoom recordings
We need you - ILCA 6 Women Masters!
By Jo West
by Georgie Altham
I started this by trying to write a report of the Parkstone Masters sailing event this weekend. I’m not a writer, and it didn’t go well, especially as I only viewed the event from my position at the back of the fleet… hence why I decided to focus on another important sailing matter. I started sailing outside club racing in the last couple of years. My friend Zoe had mentioned that she had been to a masters event, loved it, and suggested that I come too. At first I made excuses; “my kit isn’t all class legal, my kit is old, it might clash with a youth event where my daughter competes and that’s my priority, I’m not a good enough sailor”.. etc etc. She had an answer for everything; “the inlands don’t clash with youth events this year, no one cares if you’re at the back and they will support you if you even are, Alison has an old sail in her loft that she can bring to the event for you”.. etc etc. In the end I gave in and went and had a fantastic weekend surrounded by amazingly enthusiastic sailors. I remembered that I am more than just a mum: I was hooked!
I’ve been attending masters events ever since and I even got up the courage to sail in a Weymouth qualifier event alongside my daughter this year. There is just one issue that I ask myself at all events - where are the women? At Parkstone I was one of only 4 women out of a field of 80 competitors, in Weymouth I was the only woman over 25. Zoe and I have been having a chat about what makes an event attractive and accessible to us, and honestly it’s about having the support of each other. Therefore, we have set up a female masters‘ WhatsApp group. This is for all female ILCA sailors over 30 years of age, even if you haven’t attended an event yet or are still unsure about joining us. We want a place where we can support each other, share which events we are attending, share knowledge about where there is accommodation, what are the socials, and discuss stuff like how we set up our kit. We really want you to help boost the number of women at events, so join our WhatsApp group (to be circulated by email) and hopefully we’ll see you at an event soon.
Around the UK (take 3)
Easter Monday (10th April) was the launch day from Stokes Bay Sailing Club
‘Laser around the UK 3’ says it all with Andrew setting off in the lesser known circumnavigation craft to travel round the UK, solo and unsupported, following in the footsteps of Ron Pattenden and more recently Neil Peters (Stick daring), hence the ‘3’.
Andrew, also known as the “shrink in the drink” has recently retired from NHS work but plans to get back into practice after this adventure. A crazy trip feels like a necessary respite from years of clinical work.
His home sailing club is Papercourt SC and being a small inland lake, does not give much opportunity for exposure to waves, so the journey will be a challenge, not to mention all the luggage problems. But luckily it is not a race and there will be time to build confidence, which is scheduled to take about 6 months.
Going East is better for beaches and therefore a bigger range of landing spots which will also help.
Andrew is raising money for charities and any donation to one of the chosen causes -
Motor Neurone Disease Association - would be much appreciated.
The links to just giving pages, social media, you tube and tracking are all on the website - CLICK HERE
If you see him on the water do give a shout out or a hello if you are in the same place at the same time – encouragement is always welcome.
Many thank everyone!
Brigid Hurn - an appreciation
Nigel Vick writes about Brigid and includes some old Laser reports
Many older Laser sailors will be sad to hear that Brigid Hurn died on February 17th after a long battle with cancer. The funeral is on March 6th in Banbury.
Brigid was editor of Laser Letter, the class magazine from 1985-1993 in the days when paper was the only medium. Her reports on Laser Qualifiers "in the style of" were classics and can be seen at https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Vi0bTP9cdHC8nGY5jnSUTPmp1OwDKrIi/view
However, she was much more than editor, attending all Qualifiers in this time as well as Nationals and Worlds, assisting with the organisation and scorekeeping - only she could get away with scoring over half of a fleet of around 80 boats with the same position. The wind changed and a mass of boats finished on a run overwhelming the recorders who got the first 20 and the last 20, everyone else scored 40th place. No one questioned her decision!. Her ability to sort out the final places after discards was superb (this was before it was all done in software - you had to scan the list of scores and rank them manually). It helped her being a maths teacher. She took great care of the sailors and was a friend to everyone.
Stay Safe,
Nigel Vick
Virtual winter education / training programme for ILCA club / master sailors
Three recorded sessions
#3 Wed 22nd February 7:30pm with Micky Beckett (British sailing Team) - Getting your racing tactics right
#2 Wed 8th February 7:30pm with Daisy Collingridge and Matilda Nicholls (British Sailing Team) - ILCA technique for upwind / downwind in light air and heavy air
#1 - Wed 25th January 7:30pm with Tim Hulse (UKLA Training officer) - Setting up your ILCA for performance
FREE CLUB COACHING
UKLA Offer of Free club training
Free club coaching for UKLA members (small fee for non members ). The UKLA will be getting clubs to apply for a days free coaching for your club members which ever ILCA rig they sail ( or better a mix of rigs). The UKLA will pay for a coach to come to your club and give great coaching. Rules below are
1) The day must be organised by a UKLA member of the club.
2) Boats from other clubs may be allowed to come along (charge from your club may apply).
3) Entry must be on the UKLA website.
If you applied last year you can still apply this year.
Simply fill in the form below
This entry will end at the end of March and then the UKLA will get In Touch to confirm if you have or have not got a place( last year there we’re many more clubs applied than we could fund)
Happy sailing,
Richard Mason
UKLA Grand Prix Rep.
Queen Mary opens up to non members
For 2023 the club is opening up to non members for its BIG Sunday events.
Queen Mary has had a large competitive fleet for many years, led by our very own Chair Mark Lyttle. For 2023 the club is opening up to non members for its BIG Sunday events. For just half the price of a day sail you can join this great fleet. The next BIG Sunday coincides with the Thames Valley Traveller Grand Prix event on the 14th May.
Here is the link to book: https://www.queenmary.org.uk/sailing/club-fleets/ilca-fleet/
Dates for the rest of the season:
Spring: may 14 (incl TV Open)
Summer:June 18
Autumn: September 24
Winter: November 19
Class Legal ILCAs
Buying a new or used ILCA? Your questions answersed by Alan Davis, UKLA Class Measurer
Buying a new or used ILCA? Your questions answersed by Alan Davis, UKLA Class Measurer
Female Participation Survey
We are interested in understanding whether there is more that we can do to increase female participation in ILCA 4 and 6.
Please could you support this initiative by completing a short survey.
This survey is mainly aimed at female sailors, but if you are a male and have a view on this subject, we welcome your input. If you are a sailor, please could you complete the survey. If you are a parent of a junior or youth sailor, we are also interested in hearing your or your sailor views.
UKLA Nationals 2023
Hayling Island SC 20 to 25th August 2023
Hayling Island SC 20 to 25th August 2023
We are excited to invite you to our Open & National Championships at HISC in August 2023. Six days of racing (20 - 25th August).
One of the highlights of the ILCA program in the UK, the UKLA Nationals is a prestigious and fun event suitable for all abilities.
Virtual winter education / training programme for ILCA club / master sailors
#1 - Wed 25th January 7:30pm with Tim Hulse (UKLA Training officer) - Setting up your ILCA for performance
New to UKLA?
The ILCA Dinghy (previously Laser) is the most popular one design across the world. In the UK, the ILCA Class Association is the UKLA, recognised by the RYA.
Overview of what UKLA does
The ILCA Dinghy (previously Laser) is the most popular one design across the world. In the UK, the ILCA Class Association is the UKLA, recognised by the RYA.
In Europe, the Class is managed by EurILCA and across the World, the International Laser Class Association (ILCA) is the governing body recognised by World Sailing. The ILCA is split into three Classes with different rigs:
- ILCA4 (previously Laser 4.7)
- ILCA6 (previously Laser Radial)
- ILCA7 (previously Laser Standard)
The UKLA organise ILCA racing and training events across the UK. The Events Calendar is regularly updated.
Racing for the ILCA in the UK
Most sailing clubs will have several ILCAs (previously Lasers) in their dinghy parks. They are often seen taking part in races organised by the clubs.
UKLA organise Grand Prix events around the country. These are fun, relaxed events, often with some training also included.
UKLA occasionally organise Super Grand Prix events around the UK. These are fun and relaxed events where taking part is the key objective.
UKLA organise Masters regattas across the UK for sailors aged 35 or older.
The UKLA organise the UKLA Youth Series, sponsored by SailingFast. This is a rolling series of events posted on the UKLA’s Notice of Series document. We aim to include well-run racing throughout the year.
The rolling ranking nature of the Youth Series enables UKLA to set a qualification date for when a sailor’s position in the Series will be used for ranking the sailors seeking to qualify for the EurILCA & ILCA Championships (Europeans & Worlds). Refer to the Youth Qualification Document for more details.
The UKLA organises 6 Qualifiers. These are the events where we aim to put on the best quality racing in our calendar. 3 are scheduled in the Spring and 3 in the Autumn. These Qualifiers are the main events used to qualify our senior sailors for their European & World Championships. These qualifiers are often added to part of the UKLA Youth Series.
The UKLA also organise National Championships and Inland National Championships. The goal at these events is maximum participation and quality racing.
The UKLA runs training on a regular basis, often in collaboration with the ASC Performance Academy (Andrew Simpson Centres) and/or British Youth Sailing (RYA).
Our Open Training and National Training is very popular, we are fortunate to have access to high-level ILCA coaches. Training events are added to the UKLA calendar and these popular days are usually over-subscribed. Whilst we make every effort to organise sufficient ribs and coaches for larger numbers, sometimes we cannot accommodate everyone, so do not delay in booking if you know you want to attend.
In addition the RYA also organise ILCA training through British Youth Sailing (BYS):-
Junior - ILCA4
Details of the BYS Regional Training Groups (RTGs) for ILCA4 sailors are posted on their website. https://www.rya.org.uk/racing/british-youth-sailing/regional-training-groups
Youth - ILCA6
British Youth Sailing organise Performance Squads and Summer Teams for Youth sailors in the ILCA6. https://www.rya.org.uk/racing/british-youth-sailing
Transition - ILCA6 (female), ILCA7 (male)
The BYS Transition project is designed to help sailors transition from Youth to Olympic sailing.
https://www.rya.org.uk/racing/british-youth-sailing/transition/project-info
The ILCA (previously Laser) is governed by strict one design equipment rules. The recent change from Laser to ILCA in 2019 has led to some confusion. We urge caution when buying an ILCA for racing in UKLA and RYA events, you will only be able to sail with ILCA Class Legal equipment. We have extensive articles on the UKLA website on what is ILCA Class Legal equipment. To be clear, there are alternative brands selling replica equipment, sometimes branded “Laser”. This equipment is not necessarily compliant with the ILCA one design class rules. Take care and seek advice if unsure.
The UKLA Committee is an experienced group standing by to assist. Please contact the relevant representative with your questions.
AGM 2022 Agenda and reports
As notified earlier last month, the 2022 UKLA AGM will take place during the National Championships at Hayling Island on 20th July 2022
Please click below to see relevant documents:
UKLA Accounts for approval - end of 2021
AGM Reports: