UKLA Chair blog #1
Hi there ILCA sailors,
This is my first post as the new UKLA Chair and I would like to start by thanking Rob Cage for the sterling work he and his committee have done in transforming the UKLA over recent years. We have a thriving class and I look forward to building on that.
Talking about thriving, the UK Nationals has been a huge success with 260 entries across all three rigs. It has been a super week on and off the water and my thanks to the UKLA team and volunteers and of course Hayling Island Sailing Club for making it so great.
Just a note for those that don’t know me. I got my first Laser in 1977 (yes it had a wooden tiller), grew up sailing in Dun Laoghaire, doing events around Ireland and internationally. I sailed a Laser in 1996 Olympics and have lived in London since then. For many years after I club raced at Queen Mary and started doing Master events in UK (and two World championships) five years ago. I have three boys who all sail ILCAs now.
So, what’s the plan now? The ILCA is uniquely positioned as the most inclusive dinghy there is. We have age groups from young teenagers to sailors in their eighties up and down the country, sailing and racing at clubs, locally, nationally and all the way to the Olympics. It is a class for everyone. And we want to build on that and promote those unique benefits. I want you all to help with that by participating and volunteering.
I hope to post regularly with personal views and information about ILCA sailing in general but please continue to check our website, social media channels and your emails to get all the information and news you need. And if you have something you want to share, please let me know (no promises on using it though!)
All the best
Mark
Check our UKLA website and calendar of events