National Grand Prix Circuit - GP events

Hello everyone!

My name is Richard Mason.

I hope we are all looking forward to a great year of sailing! I have undertaken the role of the national coordinator to pull together all open meetings across the country (called GP events)

The GP events are one day events of racing, usually Sundays - great fun and everyone is made to feel very welcome. So why not try a few and come along and enjoy. If in doubt of what happens contact me.

Rutland 2021

So that leads me to tell the story of my first GP event in 2021 (2022 to follow in next edition!)

Many people think all ILCA sailors are fit young people who sail hard, but the real story is that many are just people like me who just love class racing.

My first event of last year was at the great lake of Rutland - first time in proper wind that year for me - a good 25mph.

All changed, entered, listened to the briefing, and a long run down to the dam wall ( 1.4 miles) for the start. Having not sailed much, I did not risk a run, so I broad reached across the lake a few time times, granny tacked when I got to the bank and planed all the way down the lake.

Getting to the start area with a huge smile on my face, the flags were up and start sequence was well under way…

…only about 50 seconds to go to the start!

I went along the line found a big gap and looked at the watch 10 seconds …yipppeee sheet in, sit out and hope its my day ……there we go, clear start everyone away.

I sheet in, sit on the side to look up at the sail and……what no battens!!?????…..

After a long sail to the club and back, I did make the other races……

We have a few new events this year as well hopefully let you know about these in the next few issues.

PS if you want to organise a region please get in touch …your class needs you!

Super Grand Prix Events 2022

As well as GP events look out for the Super Grand Prix (SGP) events - fun weekends aimed at all levels -Club sailors come along and learn from top coaches on the Saturday, have a fun meal/social Saturday night, and have some great class racing on the Sunday.

This year there are four SGP’s in the North and one in the South -

South:

Paignton July 9/10. (Also the Southern Area Championships.)

North:

Carsington SC 25/26 June Richard Mason
St Mary's Scotland August 27/28 Myles Ripley/Mark Jones
Pennine 24/25 September Dominic Barnes
Burton 8/9 October Richard Mason

Now some info about my own region - Midlands Grand Prix Region

Well, hopefully it’s going to be a great season in 2022! The sun is shining and there’s a nice breeze as I type…

The Midlands events are all up and running so come along and enjoy some great class racing.

There is a brill events page on the UKLA web site with the dates of each event on it.

Click here for the Midlands Web Page

Also has some information on it as does the Facebook group

The season started with a great welcome at Shustoke SC with everyone being made to feel welcome and some fantastic racing. As with all racing on the Midlands region the handicaps for ILCA 4, 6 and 7 were used and the event was won by an ILCA 6 sailed by George Faraday from Bartley SC.

So, no matter what your age or skill level come and join the circuit and enjoy some of the best fleet racing there is.

Book a date …SUPER GRAND PRIX (SGP)

This is posh talk for a weekend of fun, coaching and racing…

Carsington sailing club June 25th and 26th with top class coach Tim Hulse booked for training. A great social Saturday night and racing Sunday. Limited numbers are available for Saturday so when the booking opens secure your place. Of course you’re welcome just to turn up Sunday and race.

A huge thanks goes to Joe Scurrah for helping out this year. So, be kind to him as we are all volunteer workers in this. He is a sailwave guru and is doing the results …

Happy smiley sailing days!

Richard Mason

National GP coordinator

grandprix@ilca.uk