ILCA UK Chair blog #103

Sep 9

Rules have been part of our sport for many years. Take this headline from 1934 America’s Cup BRITANNIA RULES THE WAVES AND AMERICA WAIVES THE RULES. Here’s the news report from the time and a relevant quote Sopwith bore away to avoid an inevitable collision but again, the protest flag wasn’t flown as the custom under the Yacht Racing Association rules in England was to fly the flag at the end of the race. The NYYC reverted to its own rules on the matter and held firm, insisting that a flag must be flown immediately in order to give the protested yacht the chance to counter-protest should they see fit. As you can imagine this seemed to cause a lot of controversy at the time.

Of course, the America’s Cup has always had protests and still does today but what of ILCA racing? I think it is fair to say that in the cut and thrust of ILCA sailing, boats have always come together resulting in minor collisions, whether it is the touching of gunwales at the start and a boom hitting an outside boat at a leeward mark. While every collision should result in a penalty under the rules, many sailors will ignore these types of collisions when there is no obvious gain or loss. There are exceptions, for example a boat-to-boat situation at the end of a regatta when leaders are manoeuvring against each other. I remember before the start of the 1996 Olympics when the Laser made its appearance being told that every collision would be protested – well it wasn’t!

While every rule infringement does not get a penalty, many should and do. Misjudging a port tack approach inside three boat lengths requires a penalty or protest as does barging in a mark when no overlap was established in time. Or if a boat comes in aggressively from behind and to leeward and bangs gunwales with no opportunity for me as windward boat to keep clear, wrecking my start – they should take a penalty. Same with misjudging port and starboard or hitting a mark. I know some of you will say rules are rules and it is not up us to determine when they should apply but it is the de facto scenario when racing in a self-policing sport – we decide what warrants a penalty. When there is a blatant rule infringement, whether it is a national event or club racing, there should be a protest or penalty and we all know some sailors are consistently on the wrong side of this – there is only one answer - protest!

That being said, my own philosophy is to give others a bit of leeway as it creates goodwill next time you are in a tricky situation. So, someone doesn’t quite make it across on port, I am likely let it go and put the goodwill in the bank and hope it will be reciprocated. But sometimes other sailors don’t get that – live by the sword, die by the sword, I guess. Of course, if it is head-to-head at the sharp end of a regatta that’s different.

We want to see sailors winning fairly on the water and don’t want to see them lose for frivolous or seemingly unfair protests from other competitors. That said at times, organisers need to do these protests to ensure racing is run properly, safety and fairly, but this needs to be applied with some empathy. Let’s hope the result of the current America’s Cup doesn’t end up being tainted by protest.

ILCA UK Winter Training

ILCA UK are offering many opportunities for winter training 2024/2025 - See our calendar for more

Regional Open Training for ILCA 4,ILCA6 and ILCA 7

ILCA 4

ILCA 4 Regional Open Training is a six-week programme for sailors under the age of 18yrs. Sailors are expected to have experience of club sailing , be confident in sailing in strong winds and comfortable managing full days in inclement/cold weather. Sailors are required to sign up for the six weeks to ensure continuity and getting the best from the programme.

The training programme will take place across three different regions.

Twelve places are available for each region. The ILCA 4 programme is now open for sailors to sign upon the ILCA UK calendar; a great opportunity to develop skills and meet other sailors in your region.

ILCA 6 and ILCA 7 Regional Open Training

Now open for sailors to sign up on the ILCA UK Calendar. The format will be 6 weekends running between October and March. Four of the weekends will be hosted in each region, with two joint camps when all of the regions will join together, one at WPNSA and one at Draycote SC

ILCA 6 and ILCA 7 training will be open to all ages and entry will be on a per-weekend basis. An excellent opportunity to continue to develop sailing skills in your region.

National Training

National Training will be available following the October qualifiers in WPNSA. National Training is open to sailors who come in the top 50% male and top 50% female in at least three of the following events