News
Qualifier Results
UKLA Noble Marine Qualifier 17-18th October 2020 results can be found here:
https://www.sailwave.com/results/ukla/
This is our new central location for all results. This new structure will hopefully allow you to easily locate results, past and present.
We are working to upload previous results and are looking for someone to help with this. The task is pretty easy but time consuming hence it’s taking us a while.
Anyone with basic excel skills and a few hours here and there would be able to help us achieve it a bit quicker.
Get in touch with Sam Whaley
RYA YouTube Links
Masters News - ILCA 7/Standard Nationals 2020
UKLA 2020 Masters National Championships
By Orlando Gledhill and Guy Noble
UKLA 2020 Masters National Championships hosted by Pevensey Bay Sailing club 10th & 11th October - A great weekend of wonderful racing, for both the experienced Laser/ILCA sailor and the club sailor (over 33 years old) with Orlando Gledhill becoming the new ILCA7 Masters Champion.
Six high quality races were sailed: Westerly 12-16 knots on the Saturday and North North West 10-14 knots on the Sunday. The wind was always offshore, with big oscillating wind shifts and big pressure differences. That, combined with flattish water (particularly on the Sunday) and neap tides meant the pond and sea sailors were evenly matched, so much so that the Champion Club could only be separated on count back, Queen Mary Sailing Club taking the honours by the narrowest of margins from Stokes Bay Sailing Club. Stokes Bay may perhaps regret hosting so many Queen Mary sailors for impromptu Masters training on Fridays through the summer.
Orlando Gledhill (QMSC) and Matt Howard (SBSC) shared the race wins with 3 each and had a good battle over the 6 races, with Orlando winning by a point in the end and becoming 2020 overall Masters National Champion. Orlando and Matt didn’t always have it their own way, but managed to come back through the fleet from unpromising positions when they had to. The group nipping at their heels consisted of 3 Grand Masters, 6-time former UK Masters champion Alan Davis, Tony Woods (QMSC) - Tony had finished a great first day in 3rd overall but slipped down to 4th on Sunday and Stuart Hudson (Keyhaven SC) who ended the weekend 5th.
The key to the racing seemed to be starting cleanly (as ever), patience and looking upwind for bands of breeze coming down the course. The beats were long; if you waited long enough, the breeze would generally shift back. It generally paid to ‘dig’ into the shift and sail into the heading breeze for long enough to get solidly into it and the pressure before tacking. It was important to be aware of the tide on the reaches and runs to avoid being dragged too far off the rhumb line, but in the neaps the tide was a relatively minor factor.
Pevensey Bay Sailing Club achieved the incredible feat of maintaining, in these difficult times, their superlative standards of welcome, efficient, friendly and helpful on-shore event management and professional on-the-water race management. The adaptations to make the event Covid-secure included fully on-line registration, socially-distanced on-line briefing (backed-up by socially-distanced traditional briefing, by loudspeaker) and sailors grouped in bubbles of 6 for rigging, launch and recovery.
Saturday evening saw a Zoom social led by fleet stalwarts Neil Peters and Tony Woods provide many amusing moments - Neil interviewed with Oli Greber (Team INEOS America’s Cup grinder – complete with his own grinding machine) and Nikki Boniface (Nacra 17 crew with Ben Saxton helm and BST coach). Together they were better than Graham Norton! Despite all the Covid adaptations, this was in every sense a ‘proper’, indeed, excellent sailing event—a model of its kind.
The UKLA Masters fleet thanks Pevensey Bay Sailing Club Race Officer Richard Holttum and Adrian Peckham who led the shore-side event management and their respective teams very much for an excellent event. A special mention must go out to Tim Law who, on Saturday morning suffered a minor stroke, and was whisked off to hospital – we all wish you a speedy recovery.
Several familiar names return year after year to enjoy superb one design racing but understandably, this year numbers were significantly down. However it was good to see Wembley Sailing Club and King George SC represented along side some of the traditionally well-represented clubs. We missed many of our friends from Bough Beech SC, Weir Wood SC, Parkstone YC, Blackpool & Fleetwood YC, Bosham SC, Chichester YC, Rutland SC, Mounts Bay SC, Lancing SC, Starcross YC, Restronguet SC, RTYC, Whitstable SC and many other great clubs with strong Laser/ILCA fleets - we all wish you well and hope to see you soon. This is an event designed to give the club sailor (over 33 years old) the big regatta experience without being intimidating. We very much look forward to returning to Pevensey Bay SC next year for the traditional 3-day Masters Nationals July 9th 10th & 11th.
Many thanks also to the event sponsors:
Sailingfast – Duncan brings his battle bus down from Scotland for most the big events, which is so ridiculously well equipped, you could replace everything on your boat. He also supplied many of the prizes for the draw on Saturday evening.
SouthEast Sailboats – Max brings bespoke quality at affordable prices to the class. His passion for detail has made his products a must have for anyone who wants quality. He also supplied many great prizes for the event.
Ovington Boats - Chris Turner lives dinghies and has been a significance presence in the boat building world for decades. OB are now the official UK builders of ILCAs. A very smart new Ovington ILCA Dinghy was on display at the Masters event.
Orlando Gledhill – Overall Winner and 1st Master
Matt Howard - 1st Apprentice Master
Alan Davis - 1st Grand Master
Michael Hicks - 1st Great Grand Master
Queen Mary Sailing Club - Club Championship winner
Masters News - ILCA 6/Radial Nationals 2020
2020 ILCA 6/Radial Masters Nationals Report by Niall Peelo
After the season sailing in the UK has had this year, it was a relief to arrive at the gate of Pevensey Bay Sailing Club on the Saturday morning and see other competitors arriving and a host of Covid compliant members ready to welcome us for the 2020 Nationals. The event had been rescheduled several times, the venue had been changed, there were limits to the numbers that could enter and the boats are now called something different to last year.
Some competitors were unable to travel due to various government restrictions, but thanks to great organisation from both UKLA and Pevensey Bay Sailing Club an event was happening.
22 ILCA 6/Radial sailors were entered - a much lower number than previous years, but understandable in these strange times. It was great to catch up with old friends that we had not seen in some cases since last year due to the lack of events this year, and generally everyone was enthusiastic and excited to finally be able to compete in an open event.
We were told to expect a different format to comply with government guidelines, and things like on line registration, pre assigned boat spaces, socially distant briefings and controlled launching and recovery became the new normal for the weekend.
On the water there was a nice westerly breeze building and apart from lower than usual Nationals temperatures the scene was set for what should be a great days sailing. The wind was in the region of 15-20kts and shifting enough to keep sailors on their toes. At the first start everyone got away first time, and as we hiked hard off the start it dawned on many that after such a lack of sailing this year, the legs and backs were not quite ready for the hiking required. After about one minute, I wished I had spent lockdown on a hiking bench, and not on the sofa watching Netflix!
At the first mark it was neck and neck between Ben Elvin (SBSC) and Jimmy Carter (Lancing) which lead us onto a reach that had big wind and waves. Personally it was this blast downwind that reminded me what we had all missed this year (as well as being relieved to have finished hiking upwind). As the race progressed Ben Elvin established a comfortable lead, Ross Harvey HISC (sailing his first Masters event) managed to work his way to second place with Jimmy holding onto a solid third.
Race 2 saw the wind build slightly more, and the shifts became more pronounced, but this didn’t stop Ben leading the way followed again by Ross and Jimmy, After race 2 the wind had shifted considerably, so there was a break while the course was reset which was convenient as it also allowed a rain shower to pass through thereby avoiding the situation where we actually had to race in the rain! The temperature did cool slightly reminding us all that October does not present the same warm conditions the original event would have had in July.
Race 3 got under way again with a clean start, and this time Ross showed us what Moth sailors can do, and won the race followed by Ben with Terry Scutcher (Shotley SC) in 3rd and Rob Cage (Thames) in 4th. Going ashore took slightly longer than normal, as due to covid guidelines, there were limits to the number of people on the beach, but all was brilliantly organised by the helpers from the club.
Once ashore there was free beer on offer kindly donated by Duncan Hepplewhite from sailingfast.co.uk, a new sponsor for 2020. Sailingfast are suppliers of new ILCA legal boats, built by Ovington Boats in the UK, as well as all kit and spares for the boat, however the free drinks on offer were the only thing I could think of and topped off a great day for all competitors.
The only complaints I heard after Saturday was that it was too cold. Usually cold is not a problem for sailors, but not being able to use changing rooms and having to change by your car does highlight how cold it is in the UK in October.
Saturday night at any Masters event is traditionally the social evening, with food, drink and entertainment at the club, however again due to restrictions this was not possible this year, however PBSC not wanting to miss such an occasion organised Neil Peters (ILCA 7 sailor, round Britain sailor and PBSC member) to run a virtual entertainment evening on Zoom. This culminated with a draw for prizes (as it was felt a normal prize giving was not possible with covid guidelines). The prizes were donated by sailingfast.co.uk and southeastsailboats.co.uk (Southeastsailboats supply ropes, rigging, sails, masts and every possible gadget you could need for the boats).
Sunday dawned with a crisp cool morning but with sunshine, and a Northerly breeze. A northerly breeze means very shifty conditions, so it was probably just as well Covid stopped some of us enjoying too many drinks the night before!
Strong tides lead to general recalls, but once away Ross Harvey again lead to the finish with Sergio Messina (BBSC) following in 2nd place.
Race 3 saw Ben leading again with Jimmy in 2nd and Gareth Edwards (QMSC) in 3rd which meant for the overall title it was down to the last race between Ben and Ross and for the different age categories many of the podium places were also to be decided on the last race.
The race was held in challenging patchy shifty conditions, and whoever played it correctly deserved the titles they would win. In the end Ben recorded another win, followed by Rob and Ross with Max Hunt (Whitstable) who had been mixing near the top over the weekend in 4th.
Once ashore the results of the individual categories were announced. They were as follows:
Apprentice Master Ben Elvin SBSC
Master Niall Peelo QMSC/WWSC
Grand Master Rob Cage Thames SC
Great Grand Master John Reay RYA
Legend Kevin Pearson Thames SC
Female Masters Alison Stevens QMSC
Thanks to PBSC for running a superb event. Despite all the restrictions they still managed to welcome us with their usual friendliness. We did miss the social side of the event that the club has to offer, but the good news is they get another chance to welcome us again in 2021 for the ILCA Masters Nationals scheduled for July, and we also hope to see the faces who could not make this event returning to competitions in 2021.
Many thanks also to the event sponsors:
Sailingfast – Duncan brings his battle buss down from Scotland for most the big events, which is so ridiculously well equipped, you could replace everything on your boat. He also supplied many of the prizes for the draw on Saturday evening.
SouthEast Sailboats – Max brings bespoke quality at affordable prices to the class. His passion for detail has made his products a must have for anyone who wants quality. He also supplied many great prizes for the event.
Ovington Boats - Chris Turner lives dinghies and has been a significance presence in the boat building world for decades. OB are now the official UK builders of ILCAs. A very smart new Ovington ILCA Dinghy was on display at the Masters event.
ILCA 6 Lower Mast at Olympic Games 2020/2021
The ILCA confirms the original plan to use ALUMINUM ILCA6 Lower Masts as supplied equipment for the Women's Single Handed Dinghy event in the Tokyo Olympic Games Sailing Competition.
Although the composite lower mast became class legal for competition world wide in the ILCA6 class beginning 1 September 2020, its use may be restricted in some additional events leading up to the delayed Olympic games in Tokyo (currently scheduled for 2021).
The race documents for the remaining Olympic qualification events (Europe and Asia) will be amended accordingly to only allow use of the aluminium ILCA6 Lower Mast. Note that an announcement of the dates and locations of the Olympic qualification events is expected soon and ILCA will pass along that information as soon as it becomes available.
Regards,
The ILCA Team
International Laser Class Association
UKLA Qualification documents
Following our successful Nationals, we have been looking ahead to next year’s events and how sailors can qualify for the International events in 2021.
Please visit relevant to you category section for details:
National Championships 2020 - Stories from the fleet
by Norman Struthers
Photo credit Sam Pearce
Norman Struthers, a Canadian and member of Stokes Bay Sailing Club (UK), has been training hard over the last few months. Competing in the fiercely competitive ILCA7 Nationals 2020 in Weymouth, Norman made it into the top 10.
Here he brings to life an on-the-water moment....
I’m Norman, better known as the Canadian in the UK ILCA 7 fleet (although now one of 2 Canadians with Ben Flower joining me). This week’s racing in the ILCA 7 fleet was hotly contested with many keen to show off the hard work they had done since Quarantine started in March. This excitement led to tight and dramatic racing throughout the racecourse.
I wanted to highlight just one of these moments throughout the week, which happened in the first race of the final day of racing (R4). After a rest day due to Storm Francis winds stayed high and from the west, leading to shifty conditions that gave the experienced masters the opportunity to use their knowledge to challenge the hiking legs of the younger sailors. This all culminated in the final downwind of Race #4.
Mark Lyttle photo credit Sam Pearce
Coming around the final windward the battle for 9th place was on. 5 boats, including Krishan Bhogal, Jake Farren-Price and myself fought with the leading masters: Mark Lyttle and Nick Harrison.
Mid-way down the run it was anyone’s best guess who would round ahead, with the group dead even and fighting for positioning. Things became even more interesting when the infamous Ben Flower, who had rounded in 7th and was ahead of the group hit “a massive jellyfish or seaweed or something” which lead to his boat stopping in its tracks and death rolling. Righting his boat just ahead of the charging group behind him, he was swallowed up and it turned into a 6- way battle for 8th position. Entering the leeward mark, Mr. Flower and myself were just able to edge ahead of the group behind us in the battle for buoy room, leading into what would be a hotly contested final reach for positions. The reach was on, with each of the competitors giving their last bit of energy to collect some ever-important points.
Krishan Bhogal photo credit Sam Pearce
Unfortunately, I got a little too excited, earning myself a yellow flag on the reach to fall out of the group and lose some valuable places. Ben Flower was able to hold his lead on the group and steal 8th place, with Jake Farren-Price just behind in 9th, followed by Nick Harrison who just edged out the young (and long) legs of Krishan, and finally by Mark Lyttle.
Although tough and often frustrating at the time, battles like these are what make ILCA sailing what it is. The final result comes down to the decisions and effort put in by the sailors. These situations are what make sailing so enjoyable and light the fire to work harder and learn from these positions.
I want to thank all of the competitors for coming out and competing throughout the event, making each sailor work their tail off to get ahead of the other.
A big thank you to the Masters Sailors like Nick and Mark who showed us younger sailors what experience in sailing can do, and to Elliot Hansen and Michael Beckett for giving us a great show of just how much you can get out of an ILCA.
And finally, A BIG THANK YOU to the Race Committee, organizers and volunteers that made this event run so smoothly no matter what challenge was thrown at them.
A special hats off to Paul Jackson RO and his team - this was a perfectly run event!
National Championships 2020 - Chairman’s message
Chairman's message to all Competitors and Volunteers who attended the UKLA 2020 Nationals @WPNSA
We all knew our Nationals would be a very different Regatta in these Covid 19 affected times.
Photo credit Sam Pearce
When Mounts Bay had to withdraw from hosting our 2020 Nationals due to the Covid epidemic, there was one venue that we knew operated at the level of professionalism that would give us the confidence to plan a Covid safe 2020 Nationals when other Classes were cancelling their events on a daily basis. I think you will agree that our confidence was well placed - Pete, Sally and their team at WPNSA have set the gold standard on hosting a top-flight Regatta in these challenging times.
We had to change many things at the venue from how the dinghy park was laid out to ‘no changing rooms’, but of course the biggest change was to our behavior, we all had to change ourselves, to make it a Covid safe Regatta.
Have a look here
I would personally like to thank you all, the Competitors, Volunteers, friends and family, for adapting so well to all the new rules and regulations and making our 2020 Nationals, great racing and great fun.
The Nationals was very much a learning event for all of us, some of the changes will I suspect become permanent features – The evening 8pm ‘Zoom Hangs’ – will I’m sure become a regular at all our future events.
Well done to everybody for contributing to what was undoubtedly a cutting-edge event and one we will take a lot of learnings from and share with the broader sailing community as we all get back afloat.
Brilliant racing from you all, a Champagne event, in difficult times
See you on the water,
Rob
UKLA Chair
ILCA 213641
2020 ILCA Nationals round up
by Guy Noble
2020 will go down as one of the most frustrating seasons in living memory. March would normally see a cluster of qualifiers start things off and we had a terrific season lined up: the Masters worlds in Australia, Europa Cup racing, dozens of regional open meetings, not to mention the Olympics and countless other major events all lost to us. Of course not having a full sailing calendar has made us all appreciate what is normally on offer and I for one will be even more enthusiastic to race next season. Having said all that it's not quite over, we have a handful of events to look forward to: Pevensey Bay Sailing club host the Masters Nationals, Grafham Water Saying club the Open Inlands and the open qualifiers at WPNSA in October.
There are signs that we are finding effective ways to put on events while minimising the risks. The ILCA4’s had a very successful European Youth Championships in Vilamoura Portugal and WPNSA and UKLA put on an incredibly well organised Nationals for 200 boats in August.
We all need to hold our nerve and have confidence in our sports organising abilities. While there will be irresponsible people who are prepared to jeopardise the enjoyment of the many they shouldn’t be allowed to screw things up for the rest of us. We get better because we all push each other on.
2020 UKLA ILCA (Laser) Nationals
Photo credit Georgie Altham
Fresh in our memories is of course the ILCA 2020 UKLA Nationals held in Weymouth from 23rd of August to the 29th. There were many doom mongers who thought the event would not go ahead and should not go ahead but an amazing collective effort by UKLA, WPNSA and the RYA resulted in a really wonderful event not-with-standing the COVID-19 restrictions.
We have three new champions:
Elliot Hanson ILCA7,
Ali Young ILCA6
Oliver Allen-Wilcox ILCA4.
Hats off to the new top dogs. Ali and Elliot will be off to Tokyo in 2021 for the Olympics and we wish them all the best success. (a full list of winners below)
There are some interesting stats around the National is this year but I'm not going to bore you with the details suffice to say lots of women/girls - 40% in the ILCA4 30% in the ILCA6, 30% were Masters in the ILCA7 fleet, an amazing group of volunteers, incredible photographs and videos, very few on the water incidents. And extraordinary support from our sponsors:
providing dozens of great prizes and superb support throughout the week.
In my new roll as Mr Media I got to see the 3 fleets from a different perspective. It’s been said many times before but this class is run by volunteers. Over one hundred volunteers were involved in organising Weymouth! They were either participance or just like being involved in the sport but together they all make the wheels go round and without them nothing would work. The Weymouth Nationals were a perfect example of the collective ‘can do-ness’ that we should all be dead proud of. The Covid restrictions meant all the social events were off so in the very capable hands of Tony Woods and Sam Whaley a series of talks were relayed via Zoom in the evenings. These were a great success being highly informative and a perfect way to end the days racing.
But we can always do better and we should constantly strive to get more people racing ILCAs. YachtsandYachting online provided a perfect platform to publish day to day write ups of the racing and the team who worked on these literary masterpieces should be thanked. With winds of between 12 and 25kts and 3 races a day it’s quite challenging to sit down and recount the on the water duels. 17 people contributed to the published material which was seen or read by thousands of people. Why is this important? Because we want our class to thrive, which means keeping existing participants and attracting new ones. There aren’t many sailing clubs in the country that don’t have at least half a dozen Lasers. Many are still being used - these boats are your starting point. You won’t win the Nationals with one but you can learn a hell of a lot in it and with practice and upgrading you could be fighting it out on the startling with Elliot, Ali or Oliver.
Seeing the ILCA4 (Laser 4.7’s) getting ready to race was a real treat for me. Being a Master we don’t often see the other end of the spectrum. I met Mary-Anne Beacock, an ILCA4 sailor and her Dad who were staying at the same Hotel. Her enthusiasm and energy were great to see and to her credit she was starting out with exactly the right attitude - acknowledging that she has a lot to learn but determined to take away the lessons and come back stronger next year. Or Barney Procter’s daughter Honor, who was having an on the water ding-dong with her boyfriend - I think Henry just got the better of that one but there was only 3 places separating them!
With the Radials (ILCA6) things are a little bit more tense. The hundred boat fleet was divided into two with the top 25 from each fleet going into the last day as a gold fleet and the remaining 50 forming the silver fleet. As with the ILCA4’s, the 6’s have a high percentage of girls racing who hold their own perfectly well against the boys. On a fitness note, it seems to me that the general level of fitness throughout all of the fleets is phenomenally high.
The ILCA7 fleet was made up of full-time professionals, students with way too much time on their hands, uber fit young men, even fitter silver foxes and some extremely talented and determined club sailors. Maybe it is because I am now more familiar with my fellow competitors, but I detect a bit of a change. Paradoxically, there seems to be a growing sense of camaraderie throughout the fleet - perhaps this is one of the few positive effects of the COVID-19 restrictions affecting our sport.
In any normal year a Nationals of this quality would be considered a success but in 2020, in the year of the Covid, it must be seen as a triumph.
UKLA Masters Nationals and Qualifier. 10-11 October 2020
The UKLA Masters Nationals and Qualifier are being held at Pevensey Bay Sailing Club on 10th-11th October 2020.
This will be the last Masters sea event of the year so come on down to Pevensey Bay Sailing Club and compete in the UKLA Masters Nationals - entry is now open.
Thanks to our sponsors
We are working closely with Pevensey Bay Sailing Club to make this event happen within the ever evolving COVID 19 restrictions and would like to thank them for all their hard work.
Entries are limited to 70 boats.
AGM 2020 Agenda and reports
As notified earlier this month, the 2020 UKLA AGM will take place online via ZOOM on 26th September 2020.
Please click below to see relevant documents:
Please pre-register to attend and to be able to vote in the meeting
AGM Reports:
Runners & Riders ILCA 6/Radial at the UKLA 2020 Nationals
by Hannah Snellgrove
With the UK Laser Association Nationals already underway for the ILCA 7s and ILCA 4s, the ILCA 6 sailors are eagerly awaiting their opportunity to get racing again in the latter half of the week.
Here we have a look at some of the top sailors who will be fighting it out for the title, as well as how some of the fleet’s well-known faces have been dealing with lockdown and preparing themselves for a competitive return.
The three-day event will run from 27th – 29th August, and with 100 boats registered to compete, the stage is set for a fun but fierce return to battle for the country’s best single-handed sailors.
The contenders include Team GB’s Tokyo 2021 Olympic representative Ali Young, who has been training from WPNSA since lockdown restrictions eased alongside her three fellow British Sailing Team (BST) athletes – former Youth World bronze medallist Daisy Collingridge, 2019 Youth World Champion Matilda Nicholls and three-time National Champion Hannah Snellgrove. All four will line up on the start line on Thursday looking to add to the tally of females who have become Radial National Champion.
While talking about former National Championship winners, it would be remiss not to mention the renowned Laser sailor Jon Emmett, who must have come close to winning the Nationals more times than everybody else combined! The more experienced sailors in the fleet will be having their own battles for victory in the various masters divisions. Emmett, competing on his home waters, will be looking to hold off a challenge from Stokes Bay’s Ben Elvin - 2019 Radial men’s European bronze medallist and a regular in the top three at World and European qualifiers. The class chairman, Rob Cage, will also be looking to show the youngsters how it’s done!
In the youth division, Arthur Farley will be looking to consolidate his overall win at the second World and European qualifier of the year just three days before lockdown started with a solid performance at this regatta. Last year’s under 17 Worlds silver medallist Finley Dickinson will also be one to watch. Coco Barrett was the top placed British boat in the 4.7 Europeans that recently concluded in Vilamoura, Portugal, and she will be upgrading to the bigger rig here in Weymouth.
Alongside the regulars on the entry list is great to see past Laser stars also making a comeback, excited to enjoy the chance to compete again – certain names that have subtly appeared on the entry list have not gone unnoticed! It remains to be seen how much secret practicing people have been doing since lockdown restrictions allowed us all to return to the water! Let the fun and games begin!
Matilda Nicholls
Matilda Nicholls -
“What a crazy few months it’s been and how exciting that we are able to get back on the water and race! Over lockdown I took the opportunity to work hard on my fitness levels. Having spent most days on a road bike getting lost down country roads it’s safe to say I’m not a pro but improvements from my fitness have helped me massively since getting back on the water!
Since the 1st of June I have been based down in Portland training out of WPNSA with the BST Radial girls, including Ali Young, Hannah Snellgrove and Daisy Collingridge. It’s been so much fun having such a strong and competitive team to train with the last few months and with the sun shining most weeks it’s been amazing sailing. Almost every week we’ve been lucky enough to do a few speed runs with the dolphins out in Weymouth Bay and even ended up in the water with them sometimes!
With the Under 21 Europeans in Montenegro being my target event for the year, I am very excited to see how all the work I’ve put in over the last few months will be transferred into these events. I look forward to the Nationals kicking racing off and good luck to everyone!!”
Jon Emmett -
Neil Pryde team
“I guess my biggest project during Covid-19 crisis has been Restart Sailing. To get people back on the water sailing safely. We have of course seen extremes with some people very unwilling to leave their houses to others who just wanted to carry on as normal. The good news is sailing is probably one of the best and safest activities we can be doing and the ILCA Nationals is one of the few Nationals going ahead this year and will definitely be featured on the next show. The RYA have done a great job here and I want to thank the RYA’s Racing Director Ian Walker for appearing on the show.
Coaching has also been an online experience, mostly over zoom, an app I don’t think I had heard of 12 months ago. In fact, I recently went through with the ILCA Nationals PRO Paul Jackson how to do the briefing by zoom, so fingers crossed everything goes smoothly! Actually the ability to share screens and talk through video has been great and it is something that I will be continuing doing in the future and in terms of social distancing you are probably as far apart as you can be when safely at home. I have also been continuing the Neil Pryde team mentoring and actually talking to several people from the same class, at the same time, over zoom has worked really well.”
Lydia Barber - photo credit Georgie Altham
Up and coming Radial sailor, Lydia Barber -
“I’m sure I speak for everyone when I say the first three months of lockdown were particularly difficult, with no sailing allowed and gyms closed it seemed like the end of the world for a brief time! However, the three months soon passed and things started to return to normal. My club back home in Staffordshire was not allowed to open, so I was still stuck at home whilst the coast got going again, and things were made worse by a back injury which still isn't 100% corrected.
Anyway, a few physio appointments later at the start of July I made it back to Southampton, on the 31st July I managed to rejoin the gym and have been training every day. The sailing has been great, luckily there are an abundance of ILCAs at Stokes Bay, so I was never without a buddy to sail with!
I managed to collect 216002 on the 30th May, as it had never been on the water there was lots to do to make her sailable. So the past few months have also meant lots of boat work and tweaking just to get things right and working orderly. Finally on the 20th August (not long to go!) my new Zhik grippy toestrap arrived, thank you Sailing Chandlery for saving me so last minute!
Overall I’m super excited for the regatta - it’s going to be great to see everyone (socially distanced of course) Good Luck!”
Draycote Water Sailing Club Laser Performance supported Open Meeting 8th August 2020
by Richard Mason
Well… the day came when the first open meeting had happened and what a day it was! Sunshine, 25 degrees Celsius with big blue sky and 20 mph of wind. Driving to Draycote water sailing club with the feeling of what will it be like after watching and reading all the videos and procedures. We were met but the normal professionalism and organisation the club has always had. Rigging away and getting ready for 4 races back to back with just under 40 boats.
The race team headed out and set a great inner / outer course with square start lines all day. Racing started on time with the ILCA 7/Standard fleet having no recalls all day and some great racing. The ILCA 6/Radial and ILCA 4/4.7 fleet had to spoil things by having one recall then got sorted and had an excellent days racing.
The ILCA 6/Standard rigs were won by Joe Scurrah from Carsington SC taking overall first, followed by Marcellus Pryor and sailing legend Steve Irish from the home club in second and third. There were quite a few swimming on the run from time to time but cooling of in the water in the heat was fun too.
The ILCA 7/Radials had some much closer racing with Alister Brown from Great Moor SC in first overall, followed by Dan Keeran from Tamworth SC and George Fareday ELSC only being beaten into third on discard. Simon Gadsby came in forth from NCSC. There were a few girls in the ILCA 6/Radial fleet and Iris Singleton from DWSC was first girl in the fleet.
There were two ILCA 4/4.7 rigs on the water; Alice Davis DWSC went on to beat Aimee Bray from Banbury SC. Well done girls great to see you enjoying the racing.
I think I speak for everyone by saying a huge THANK YOU to everyone involved in making this happen. Marcellus Pryor for sorting the event out (thanks loads), the PRO Matt Rowley and his support team Jon Hughes, Andy Abbis, Mike Powell and two juniors Ted and Jess who are starting racing and helped out (soon to be in laser we hope) and of course Dave Rowe. Well done everyone, you were first class!
Full results can be found here
Hope to see you all at another event soon
UKLA Nationals Results
A brilliant first day of racing here in Weymouth. Full results can be found here:
ILCA 6/Radials leading up to Nationals 2020
by Lydia Barber
July and August have been busy months for the Radial/ILCA 6 sailors across the country. As restrictions in the UK have been eased club racing has resumed, coaching has restarted and the race to the nationals is on!
Lydia Barber
As the majority of formal coaching has been cancelled the Youths in the class have been taking matters into their own hands. There have been active groups training across the country, getting ready for the all important event of the season. Instagram has shown much action going on at Rutland SC and Banbury SC for Inland venues, along with Weymouth and Royal Lymington YC on the South coast to name just a few!
Despite us Youth sailors being more vocal with our endeavours, that does not mean the other age groups within the fleet have been slacking! The Masters have been putting the hours in at Stokes Bay, as I'm sure they have across the UK. This inclusivity of all age groups is what makes the ILCA 6/Radial fleet so competitive and diverse, as the entries for the Nationals show.
Whilst the majority of us have been training at home, a lucky few have been overseas receiving top coaching, most notably in Portugal and Malta. I’m sure we will see the effects of all the practice put
into play at the end of the month if they make it back on time to quarantine. Meanwhile, back in the UK we’ve had a variety of conditions ranging from no wind, to too much wind, along with the occasional champagne sailing conditions we all long for.
Luckily, after much hard work from the committee along with the WPNSA, our otherwise cancelled season has been saved by the 3 day National Regatta scheduled for the 27th-29th August. There are currently 98 ILCA 6/Radials entered, and a few had to withdraw to comply with goverment guidance. This is the best turnout the class has seen in years! The sheer number of boats will make for interesting start-lines, and some brilliant close racing.
Wishing you all the best of luck, see you on the water!
Runners & Riders ILCA 4/4.7 at the UKLA 2020 Nationals
by Barney Procter and Guy Noble
Will the British ILCA4 sailors make it back from the European Championship in Vilamoura to compete in the 2020 UKLA Nationals?
For the lucky few who managed to get away to train or compete it’s not without risks. There is a chance the government will take Portugal off the list of countries from which returnees will have to quarantine on Thursday – fingers crossed.
Putting the prospects of the travellers to one side, who can we expect to do well in the ILCA4 fleet at the UKLA Nationals this year? Or may be this isn’t the right question…. With the smaller rig the ILCA4 is a great entry point for those aspiring to compete at a high level but it also must be remembered that sailing is great fun and these guys should be having a blast. Some will have that burning ambition to win clearly established by a very young age, others will be looking to their racing for different rewards. For many it's the camaraderie, just meeting up with mates and doing something enjoyable – this may well morph into a passion but speaking as a master sailing is just great fun and there is no reason why it shouldn’t be a life long pastime.
With the ILCA7 (full rig) ILCA6 (Radial) ILCA4 (4.7) covering so many age groups and abilities it’s hardly surprising that the 200 boat limit (50 for the ILCA4) for the UKLA 2020 National Championships was sold out within hours although UKLA are still trying to accommodate more entries. Previous pre regatta write-ups have covered Masters entrants and the senior ILCA7 fleet and the ILCA6 will follow but here we are looking at the ICLA4 fleet.
2020 has been a challenging year for all sailors, but possibly no more so than for the 4.7 Laser fleet. The year started with the hand warming prospect of Europeans over Easter in Vilamoura, followed by the Worlds in Lake Garda, and then topped off with a pasty munching Nationals in Marazion. A competitive autumn and spring series, spiced up with some Radial returnees keen to compete at these wonderful venues, led to great racing. The highlight being Sunderland, which proved to be a world class venue with a grandstand view for those armchair sailors.
The Europeans in Vilamoura has belatedly gone ahead, which will make attendance of the UK Nationals challenging for Anaya Morris, Carys Atwell, Coco Barrett, Dru Townsend, Freddie Howarth, Jack Graham-Troll, Max Steel and Oliver Allen-Wilcox. We wish them all great success and thank them for carrying the flag for us.
Honor Procter
Many of the remaining 2019 GBR Squaddies have moved up to the Radial Fleet, leaving Honor Procter and Oliver Woodley and a handful of others to welcome the new cohort. After a summer of cliff jumping and paddle-boarding, Honor is physically up to the task if a bit rusty. She’s looking forward to competing against old friends and making new ones, which is the key point of a national championships. That said, no quarter will be given, so all must be on their mettle.
This leaves the field open to a new wave of challengers that will be looking to stamp their authority.
Many of these sailors moving up from other classes, having been frustrated by cancelled competitions, so will be keen to exhibit their talents. Not least amongst these are Arwen Fflur fresh from the Optimist, a determined young lady with great enthusiasm and a ready smile, and Henry Koe, robbed of staking his claim on the Topper fleet, is a young gentleman but deadly on the start line... watch out! We look forward to some gripping family rivalries between the Hackers “battle of the sexes” and the Tylecote brothers, who have some unfinished business.
It’s great to see Wales with a strong representation of seven competitors, possibly the largest Welsh team for a generation, which is a testament to the hard work of Performance Managers Paul Simes and Sarah McGovern.
Weymouth is a fantastic venue, which has enough variety to test the best of sailors but with the convenience of great ashore facilities.
The 14-day forecast suggests some changeable weather, which will provide plenty of challenges for all. If your tactics are not working out, a great sailor once said his secret was to “go left on the first beat, right on every other… and then sail faster than everyone else… simples”.
The week is being sponsored by several great companies that provide valuable services to the sailors and each day of racing will have a title sponsor.
UKLA is grateful to Ovington Boats Sailingfast Sailboats.co.uk Southeast Sailboats Noble Marine for their support.
2020 European ILCA4 Championships - UKLA ILCA 4’s at the Eurilica 2020 Vilamoura
by Gary Finkelstein and the Squad Sailors
15th August saw the opening ceremony of the 2020 Eurilica ILCA4/Laser 4.7 Championships in Vilamoura.
Photo credit UKLA ILCA 4’s at the Eurilica 2020 Vilamoura ©ThomTouw
The championships were originally scheduled to be held in Vilamoura in April 2020, but were postponed to August due to the Coronavirus Pandemic. Our squad of hardy UKLA sailors, who all worked hard to qualify to represent GBR at the event, have braved the travel risks, by either flying through Portugal, or travelling through France, Spain and Portugal to attend the event. Either way, they have made the decision to participate and quarantine if required upon their return to the UK, rather than not participate. May success come to those who preserve.
We set out below the squad’s journey and look forward to following them at this historic event. Rule Britannia!
Anya Morris
Anya started sailing around the age of six in an Oppie. She was a regular club sailor and sailed single and double handers before starting competitive Topper sailing.
Her career was catapulted after joining regional squads when she was eleven. She started sailing Laser 4.7 at thirteen including the youth Nationals at WPNSA. She joined the RYA’s British Youth Sailing Team (Laser 4.7), and is very excited to have qualified to represent GBR and be competing in her first international Laser event.
She is very grateful to all the organisers for providing such a great opportunity despite the challenges for everyone.
Carys Attwell
Carys (15) started sailing as a toddler with her parents, but fell in love with the sport once she could escape them single-handed in a Optimist, aged 7. An active club racer and member, Carys also trains with her friends, the Rutland Sailing Club Hydra Youth, in Lasers, High Performance boats and team racing, volunteered as an assistant instructor last year and regularly helps out with the junior members to make getting on the water safe, fun and rewarding for them (and her!).
Carys sailed an optimist first, then moved to the RS Tera and trained in the National Squads, but outgrew the hull as she turned 13 and moved to the Laser 4.7. She earned a place in the RYA 4.7 National Squad 2019-2020 and consistently achieved podium placings in the girls' UK 4.7 fleet, and was placed top U16 girl of the Sailingfast UKLA Ladder series when lockdown hit. A highlight this year was the very windy Tiger Trophy where Carys won the Lady Tiger Trophy for the first all-female boat, finishing 11th from 148.
She is looking forward to experiencing the wider European 4.7 scene and building on this in the next year, before moving on to the Radial later in 2021.
Coco Barrett
Coco is one of our more experienced and strongest sailors in the girl's 4.7 U18 fleet.
Her sailing journey to the 2020 Euricas in her words: "I began sailing 4.7s in the winter of 2017 after 5 years in Toppers. I attended my first 4.7 international event in 2018 with the Europeans in Greece, where I came 21st, and the Worlds in Poland, where I came 39th. In 2019 I was unable to attend the Europeans as it was during GCSE’s, but I went to the Worlds in Kingston, Canada where I came 12th. Last year I also attended the Radial U19 Europeans in Greece where I came 42nd.
Pre Coronavirus I had planned to attend the 2020 4.7 Worlds and Radial U19 Worlds, but obviously everything was cancelled. The 4.7 Europeans were looking to be the only event all summer, so I jumped at the chance, especially since it is the last year that I am young enough to compete. I’ve just had an amazing few weeks training in Malta with Sail Coach to make up for lost time over lock down, and hoping to put it to use in Vilamoura."
Drew Townsend
I started my sailing journey in the spring of 2016 in a small lake in Portishead. After my first go sailing a boat I couldn’t wait for the next. I would sail for an hour or so every week with the other cadets at my club. Eventually I tried sailing on the sea for the first time and although I was scared I enjoyed it so much I started the adult racing as soon as I could, even if that meant having to borrow a boat every week!
After a few months of sailing my dad told me that he had signed us up for a course in Weymouth with the Andrew Simpson sailing centre. I was extremely excited to travel to Weymouth and sail for the first time away from home. Although it was only a four day course I learnt a lot from my instructor and started begging my dad for a boat of my own, and to my surprise he agreed.
After getting my own boat I went out on the water with every chance I got and, after a summer of sailing, I entered my first event (a SW Topper traveller). Although in the beginning I didn’t have a lot of luck results wise I persevered and started doing the 4.2 National series and 5.3 SW traveller series.
In the autumn of 2017 I was excepted in to both 4.2 National squad and RYA Topper Zone squad. I continued training and in 2018 I was accepted into the 5.3 Topper National squad.
I continued training as much as I could and even ended up sailing every weekend for over a year, luckily this paid off because in 2019 I was selected to go to the Irish Nationals and represent GBR, and I was also accepted into the 4.7 National squad. The squad training helped considerably, as in early 2020 I was selected for the 2020 4.7 European championships in Vilamoura, as well as the 4.7 world championships in Lake Garda. Unfortunately both events were put on hold due to the pandemic, but once lockdown was lifted I got back on the water as soon as I could and trained as often as I could.
In August I went back to training at WPNSA with a Laser/Foiling training camp where I was able to try out foiling boats while still preparing for the Europeans. The journey to Portugal followed shortly after, and having arrived in Portugal it is great to be back out on the water carrying out final preparations.
I would like to thank all of my coaches throughout the years who have made it possible for me to be in this position and the RYA for arranging training camps and supporting me throughout my journey.
Freddie Howarth
Freddie began learning to sail an optimist at Poole YC when he was 7 years old. His first regatta win came at Mudeford, a year later in 2014. He soon followed in his sisters' footsteps, progressing through the squad system and representing GBR in Holland, Belgium and Ireland. After many hours of training and racing, the highlight of Freddie's time in the optimist came in 2017 at the National Championships in Weymouth, where he was crowned junior champion.
In 2018, Freddie moved into the Topper class, qualifying for the national squad and representing GBR at the Irish Topper Nationals, where he was 3rd junior. The Topper proved to be a great stepping stone to the Laser as Freddie switched classes in 2019 and qualified for the 4.7 national squad.
Despite the obvious interruption to this year's sailing calendar, Freddie is very grateful and looking forward to the 4.7 European Champs, as this is one of the few major sailing events of this year.
Jack Graham Troll
Jack is the reigning 2019 UK Laser 4.7 national champion and was ranked at the top of the Under-16 2019/ 20 ladder series until lockdown set in. His preparations in 2020 in his words are described below.
"It certainly wasn't all plain sailing to the 4.7 Europeans in August of 2020. My preparations started at the Dinghy show, working closely with Hammond Drysuits developing a new 'neoprene' drysuit, perfect for the warmth of Portugal and the cold waters of the Atlantic. Robline UK were there too and helped to further develop and fine tune all my controls. Then Lockdown happened and everything stopped, but my unique Reboot pre-hab exercise program kept me going until we could get back out on the water. And when the time finally came, it was back to Lymington sailing and training in a closed group with Nik Froud in preparation for what is going to be a very different Europeans.
With constantly changing government guidance, travel plans and the Laser Nationals competition, to support me our local Charity and MP's asked the Minister of Sport for clarity on Elite Sportsperson status. As restrictions lifted, Brackley Leisure Centre made sure I could build on my physical fitness and Affirm partnership coaching ensured that I'm mentally prepared. I know I can always rely on last minute deliveries from Sailing Chandlery and the full support from GJW Direct insurance. But what I didn't know was that I could also rely on Racing Point F1 team for a perfect carbon fibre repair on my tiller. And when I thought that all coaching was on hold, the Andrew Simpson Centre, Shaun Priestley and Tim Hulse organised a fantastic week of training Lasers and Foiling. Great times, perfect timing!"
Max Steele
Max joined the Laser 4.7 fleet from the RS Tera's where he won the 2018 Inland championships as well as the European Cup. He went on to win the End of Season championships in the RS Tera Pro, and achieved bronze at the 2019 World Championships.
The winter of 2019/ 2020 is Max's first year in the Laser 4.7. With the benefit of coaching with the UKLA and RYA British Youth Team coaches, including Tim Hulse and James Hadden, as well as equipment from NeilPryde, and v-rigger.com, Max qualified for the Eurilca championships and was ranked 4th U16 boy in the UK Ladder Series when lockdown struck.
During lockdown, Max persevered to work on his tactics through the Virtual regatta e-sailing, where he won the ET RYA Junior Championships as well as achieving Silver at the RYA Youth Championships. He also seeks to maintain fitness by hiking and cycling whenever possible.
Max has been gaining form as soon as lockdown eased, and has been training through July with Mateusz Hanke and Polish lasers at the Polish national sailing center in Gdansk.
Oliver Allen - Wilcox
My name is Oliver Allen-Wilcox. I first learnt to sail at my local sailing club aged 8 years, a small man-made lake in Frampton-on-Severn. My parents took me to the local farm show where the sailing club was advertising free taster sessions sailing. Thinking I would fall in a few times and absolutely hate it, my parents thought it would be a safe ending to any sailing aspirations I might have had! They could not have been more wrong, I loved being pushed from pontoon to pontoon in an Oppie thinking I was sailing.
The first boat I owned was a Topper 46070. I had a few lessons with our local National Squad Topper Sailor, Nick Williams, who patiently taught me the basic skills to sailing a Topper. Frampton was a great club that taught me to enjoy sailing first in a safe environment, but I was eager for more. Nick (my trusted coach) went off to University and I planted the seed with my parents to go to our first Topper traveller and try racing. Within a year I was accepted onto the Topper pathway, which saw me through 3 years of RYA squad sailing.
In 2018 I became the South West Traveller Champion. In 2019 I was titled with National Inland Topper Champion, 6th Topper Worlds in Medemblik and National Topper 5.3 Champion. I left Toppers with valuable race experience in a great atmosphere.
The 2020 season saw me move into a Laser 4.7, securing a place in the Winter Laser 4.7 National Squad. Productive winter training, headed up by RYA coaches James Hadden and Tim Hulse, supported me in qualifying for the 2020 Laser 4.7 European Championships in Vilamoura, Portugal.
Recent preparations for the Europeans have included independent training in small groups and a Laser/Foiling week organised by Andrew Simpson, Weymouth. This was an amazing opportunity to get on a start line since lockdown, as well as learning new skills together with having fun foiling. I am looking forward to putting my sailing knowledge and skills to the test and represent Great Britain against the best European competitors.
Javier Segui Mearns -
I was born in Mallorca and have always lived in Mallorca, both my parents are British. I only have a British passport so have always considered myself British even though I have always attended a Spanish school.
My Dad is from Cowes so I’ve always been encouraged to sail. My first experience was in an inflatable boat with a sail in the swimming pool, then in a Laser with my Dad. One summer my mum signed me up for a sailing course. Two weeks in Laser Pico then two weeks in an Optimist in Puerto Pollensa ( we have 3 months school holiday in Mallorca so I think it’s because she wanted to get rid of me), at the end of the course they asked me to join their Optimist regatta team. I have raced for the Reial Club Nautico de Puerto Pollensa ever since. I qualified in Optimist for the Spanish Nationals then moved into 4.7. After my first season in 4.7 I qualified to join the Balearic team and have competed in many National competitions but just missed the Europeans last year by 1 place. Last year I won a place in the “Centro de Tecnificacion de Deportiva” which is a school near Palma for high level sports people from the age of 15. We get to train everyday either cycling, in the gym or on the water and there is extra educational support when we have missed school due to being away from competitions. It makes school less boring!
This year I qualified for the Europeans and just after I registered for the race, I was told I couldn’t compete for Spain as I wasn’t a Spanish national. I was absolutely gutted as I just wanted to go and sail and be part of it all! My parents contacted UKLA and World Sailing and they were amazing. I was due to attend one of the National qualifiers in the U.K., but then we were locked down and l couldn’t attend. When I got to Vilamoura the organisers listed me as a Spanish sailor, but I would love to represent Great Britain one day!
Runners & Riders ILCA 7/Standard at the UKLA 2020 Nationals
by Jake Farren-Price
The UK Laser Association is running a different Nationals this year, reflecting the inevitable restrictions forced by the Covid-19 pandemic. The event, split into two, will be held at Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy this year, with the first half of the week (24th-26th August) for 50 ILCA 7s and 50 ILCA 4s and the second half of the week reserved for 100 ILCA 6s. As one of the only major sailing events to go ahead over the UK summer, the ILCA 7 entry list was packed a matter of hours after opening with some foreign sailors coming over to get valuable race experience ahead of some major events planned for the Autumn. Among the top Standard sailors fighting for a chance to be crowned national champions this year are:
Sam Whaley
Sam Whaley –
The current national champion will be back to defend his title and is aiming to make it a triple. Only one man has done this in the past… Sir Ben Ainslie. Sam has been training hard down in Weymouth over the last few months and has also been active on Virtual Regatta when not out on the water. Does WhaleX ever stop thinking about racing? “Really looking forward to the nationals in a couple of weeks’ time,” Sam said in the build-up. “As always the competition is going to be super tough but with pretty much all the top GB guys here, mixed with a 50-boat standard fleet, the racing is going to be pretty exciting.”
Daniel Whiteley
Daniel Whiteley –
Dan has been training hard over the last few years while completing his Mechanical Engineering degree at Bristol University. The Ice Man has been training with the British Sailing Team down in Weymouth over the last few weeks, but will home advantage help these boys? Dan, definitely more of a glass half full type of sailor, has no doubts. “I’m coming for you all - be scared,” he told me. Sounds like he means business.
Elliot Hanson
Elliot Hanson –
The biggest favourite has to be Elliott, who came 5th at the 2020 World Championships in Melbourne earlier this year, in the process securing his spot for the Olympic Games in 2021. We know he is in great form at the moment, but it’s only a three-day competition now, so there is not much room for error in a such a short series.
Michael Beckett
Michael Beckett –
Another serious favorite to become national champion, Micky is also in fighting form after finishing 13th at the Worlds in Australia. “This is the most prepared I've been for any regatta... ever,” he said. “I've lived on Portland for the last four years, I've sailed out of WPNSA every week since lockdown ended, so hopefully I'll have some clue what I'm doing!”
Duko Bos
Duko Bos
One of the handful of foreign sailors venturing to the UK to get a piece of the British racing scene. Duko is a Dutch athlete who showed serious promise at the Worlds earlier this year, finishing just two points behind Micky in 14th. Will we see another grudge match between these two?
Since this article has been written, Duko Bos had to withraw from the event, but we hope to see him return next year!
Many thanks to WPNSA for hosting the Nationals and to all the UKLA staff and volunteers who have put in a huge shift to make racing possible this year
Runners & Riders ILCA 6/Radial Masters at the UKLA 2020 Nationals
by Alison Stevens
Following on from the ILCA 7/standard, we now look at the ILCA 6/Radial Masters runners and riders competing in the 2020 UKLA National Championships in Weymouth.
A quick reminder that due to an ongoing legal dispute regarding the use of ‘Laser’ and the starburst logo, the standard is now referred to as the ILCA 7, Radial as ILCA 6 and 4.7 as ILCA 4.
The whole event has attracted 200 entries and the Radi... oops ILCA 6 Masters make up 10% of this fleet. This event is split into two, ILCA 7’s and ILCA 4’s On the first 3 days and the ILCA 6’s from the 27th to the 29th August 2020.
Who’s who is the Masters ILCA 6 fleet…
Of the many eminent masters taking part 2018 Apprentice Masters World Champion and 3rd in 2019 Open Radial (ILCA 6) European Championships, Ben Elvin should be mixing it up with the British Sailing Team at the front of the fleet.
Ben Elvin
Ben Elvin -
Ben is one of the fittest sailors on the circuit, when not sailing at Stokes Bay, he is often found peddling the hills of Hampshire and the South Downs. Ben will be challenging Jon as well as the BST girls and the top youth sailors at the Nationals.
Jon Emmett
Jon Emmett -
Jon will also give the youngsters a run for their money as current Apprentice Masters European and World Champion. Jon regularly competes in his ILCA 6 at both Masters and UKLA Qualifier events. As a leading ILCA 6 Olympic Coach there is not much you can teach Jon that he has not already coached himself to win! Jon is likely to be challenging the very front of the fleet.
Paul Brotherton
Paul Brotherton -
Sailing legend (no he is not that old!) Paul Brotherton will likely be up with the regulars. Not known for his Laser sailing, Paul made his name as a successful Olympian and Coach in the 470 Class, he also successfully campaigned the 49er and 505. It is great to see him bringing hull number164460, a boat built in 1998, I am sure he will be showing the fleet that a 22 year old boat is still competitive!
Ian Gregory -
Ian has been absent from the Masters circuit recently, but as a previous Masters National Champion, is one to watch. Grand Masters Max Hunt and Rob Cage both have a good turn of speed and should not be dismissed, especially with their winter sun training prior to lockdown. Gareth Edwards and John Reay have both ‘mastered’ (sorry, too easy) the art of close tactics and will quite happily sneak into any space.
Natalie Campbell and Alison Stevens -
Ladies will be taking a well earned break from their own childcare and home schooling responsibilities. Alison has most recently been spotted doing some mid week sailing at Queen Mary Sailing Club, but is unsure about whether practicing with an 8 year old on her ILCA 6 will help or not!
Thank you the UKLA and WPNSA for all their hard work so far in (hopefully) making this event happen. It would also not be possible without our Sponsors:
Runners & Riders ILCA 7/Standard Masters at the UKLA 2020 Nationals
by Guy Noble
UKLA are the first to put on a major regatta since the lockdown restrictions are lifted. Over the past few months sailing event after event has been cancelled, in some cases absurdly far in advance creating a rather hopeless atmosphere.
However, behind the scenes UKLA, WPNSA and the RYA have been working flat out planning what is now called the 2020 UKLA National Championships.
These are to be held from the 23rd to 28th August 2020 in Weymouth and is sold out. As many of you will know unfortunately the name Laser and the starburst logo are the subject of legal disputes so we cannot use them. The Standard or Full rig Laser is now to be known as the ILCA 7, the Radial becomes the ILCA 6 and the 4.7 is now the ILCA 4. The 6 day event has been limited to 200 boats and split into 2 separate regattas.
The first three days the WPNSA will be hosting the full rig ILCA 7 and the ILCA 4. Each fleet has been limited to 50 boats and was sold out within a matter of hours. The following 3 days will see the 100 boat fleet of ILCA 6 (Radials) getting some top racing action.
Each day of racing will have a daily title sponsor, UKLA is grateful to Ovington, Sailingfast and Sailboats for their support. Over the next few days Y&Y and UKLA will take a look at the different fleets checking out who is racing and what they’ve been up to over the past few months.
Here I’m going to take a look at the Masters entered in the full rig fleet (ILCA 7) and what they’ve been doing during lockdown.
THE MASTERS
For many of us the last few months have proven Einstein’s “theory of relativity” correct - “Time moves more slowly when you are with your relatives (and not sailing)” - I added the last bit. Weeks have blurred into months and 2020 is slipping away into a frog of dramatic inaction - But not for the Lase.. sorry ILCA sailors… Now, as lockdown restrictions are gradually being lifted everyone is dusting off their old Lasers and getting back onto the water at their local clubs - which is a wonderful thing - UKLA is approaching 1000 members! So what have some of the masters been up to?
MASTERS IN LOCKDOWN
Sometime ago now we were all going crazy and turning to virtual regatta to get our sailing fix. The Masters were no exception and embraced this new if somewhat challenging technology. Interestingly, local clubs and the RYA were organising races that were appealing to both old and young alike. Personally, I think this technology may well become a really interesting learning tool for racing tactics but as a substitute for the real thing it sucks!
Apparently sales of sailing books have gone ballistic. I have bought about a dozen different titles by Sir Ben Ainslie, Ed Baird, Glenn Bourke, Jon Emmett, Dave Perry, Nick Craig and others. For me the stand-outs are Stuarts H Walker - Advanced Racing Tactics and Bill Gladstone - NorthU.
RACING TACTICS
Many of the masters I know have put a lot of effort into getting seriously fit. Hours on the rowing machine have been interspersed with these rather dubious challenges on Facebook. 400 back flips while eating a hotdog ! The 25 daily press up challenge is one that I’m trying to dodge. There’s no doubt we could all do with keeping our fitness going but generally all the Lase.. sorry ILCA sailors I know are in pretty good shape.
Easing of Lockdown As restrictions were eased, some of the Masters I know got together for sailing at Stokes Bay Sailing Club every Friday. We have been doing this now for almost 3 months. Most weeks we were getting about 15 boats out. Nick Harrison was instrumental in making sure we stayed focused and organised the two or three hour sessions of windward leeward courses with rabbit starts. For the first five or six weeks we had 15 to 20 kts and blue skies - superb. Anybody standing on the shore would have been looking out enviously and indeed last Friday while Orlando Gledhill was making his way across the Solent on the ferry spotted us all lined up ready for another start (see photo).
The Masters at the ILCA 7 2020 Nationals To be eligible for Master status you have to be over 35 (33 in the UK). Over 30% of the ILCA 7 entrants are masters of which there are many national champions and the odd Olympian but they are all pretty realistic about what they can achieve. Mark Lyttle, Alan Davis, Tim Law, Terry Scutcher, Nick Harrison and Michael Hicks have all tasted National success so understand what it takes to win. They know the young bloods will probably prevail but they won’t go down without a fight.
Mark Lyttle
Mark Lyttle -
Mark competed in the 1996 Olympic games representing Ireland in the Laser class coming 11th winning Race 3. In recent years he’s become Masters National champion and was crowned world champion in the grandmaster division in 2018. He is currently a member of Queen Mary Sailing Club where the standard is so ridiculously high he doesn’t always win!
Tim Law
Tim Law -
Tim has been UK national champion twice, in 1975 in 1978. Many of you will remember his incredibly gifted brother Chris who tragically died at a very young age. I’ve known Tim for three years, like many of the masters, has become a good friend. An extraordinarily talented and focused sailor with great determination and a tenacious spirit - if anyone can do well it is he.
Nick Harrison
Nick Harrison -
Back in the days of the legendary Bart Simpson and Ian Percy Nick was deeply involved in coaching the British Squad and has an incredible history of Masters achievements and an absolute downwind demon. His house is almost in the dinghy park at Stokes Bay. Try coming in on port at the windward mark and his stare will freeze your mainsheet blocks solid!
Alan Davis
Alan Davis -
Alan is now our illustrious UKLA measurer. Tim and Alan are probably the two fittest masters I know and quite competitive about it. Alan has his name on more trophies not only in the UK but also in Europe than probably any other ILCA sailor.
Terry Scutcher
Terry Scutcher -
One of the Masters toughest characters he normally sails in the ILCA 6 fleet but has decided to mix it with the big boys. In the Full rig in 2013 Oman Masters Worlds he narrowly missed out on the top spot and again in 2015 in the ILCA 6 was second. He travels all over the world competing in the ILCA and the 505.
Michael Hicks
Michael Hicks -
Michael is probably one of the nicest people you are ever going to meet but it also has a long and interesting sailing history. In 1976 he and his brother were Scorpion National Champions and both sailed the Star to a very high international level becoming French National Star Champions in 1993. Mike is also a member of Queen Mary Sailing Club where he almost always does well.
Tony Woods
Tony Woods -
Mr Jazz man. Apart from being an incredible jazz musician Tony is also class captain at Queen Mary Sailing Club and is responsible for building a fleet of such high calibre that even very competent sailors can find it difficult to get into the top 10. Tony has been putting in a lot of pre-national sea training and was gutted when the Mounts Bay event was cancelled.
Chris Ellyat
Chris Ellyatt -
Chris came over from Hong Kong in the late 1970’s. In 1979 he entered the Laser Nationals at Whitstable SC – 73 rd in the Gold fleet of 130 wasn’t bad for a 16 year old. In recent years he has been getting better and better and been pushing the top boys hard. In the overall rankings at Queen Mary Sailing Club he was number one for 2019 and has got very quick downwind and if its blowing he’ll be doing well. These are just a few of the Masters who I think will put on a good show at the 2020 UKLA Nationals at Weymouth - fingers crossed that it goes ahead - we are all looking forward to it. But even if it doesn’t we really must applaud UKLA, WPNSA and the RYA for working out how to make it possible and to the dozens of volunteers who have offered their services. These events were always challenging to run and have been made even more difficult with the Covid 19 restrictions but with everyone pulling together we can get racing again. More on the ILCA 6 and ILCA 4 to follow.