ILCA UK Chair blog #123
Photo by James Harle
Some ramblings this week from across the ILCA community, starting first of all with the Harken Youth Winter Trophy 2025 at Datchet Water Sailing Club. We had 77 entries split across ILCA4s and ILCA6s with lots of sailors new to ILCA UK racing. It was a lovely weekend except for the rather light wind and there was a friendly and welcoming atmosphere at club. Sailors were supported by a class coach (thanks Will Dyson) helping less experienced sailors on and off the water.
We featured a trial of high-resolution GPS race trackers that enabled live tracking of boats during the races. All 77 sailors in the ILCA 4 and ILCA 6 fleets received race trackers at sign-up, with an additional 10 trackers used for the race course for the start, race marks, and finish lines. The trackers provided real-time data accessible via the TracTrac App and online, allowing spectators to follow the action closely. The live leaderboard displayed crucial information, including boat speed, distance to the next mark, boat heading, and total distance sailed. A highlight was the “Fastest Boat of the Day” award called a FAB, with FAB stickers and water bottles given to the top performers: Leo Yates (ILCA 6) with a speed of 8.7 knots and Finley Mason (ILCA 4) at 6.21 knots on Saturday, followed by Billy Morris (ILCA 6) at 7.99 knots and Hannah Kewely (ILCA 4) at 6.45 knots on Sunday. These top speeds were achieved amidst generally sub-5-knot conditions, indicating the impact of brief gusts. An online race playback session using the tracking data and video is planned for this week, aimed at analysing race strategies. We plan to use the trackers again at the National Open in March at WPNSA. Watch the races. Thanks to Breet for organising.
Many thanks to all the wonderful volunteers - on and off the water and of course to our hosts Datchet Water Sailing Club. I have called-out some volunteers in key roles but many more have helped to make this happen.
And of course thanks to our sponsors Harken and Rooster.
The next Youth Series Event is in Tynemouth in May followed by Parkstone in June. Many thanks to Roger Hakes and the Youth Sub-Committee for organising this series.
A couple of weeks ago I mentioned the ILCA Women coaching day at Queen Mary is scheduled in March and one of our sponsors Wildwind Holidays are hosting a dedicated ILCA Women’s Clinic in May before we return to Rutland for the Women’s ILCA Regatta.
ILCA UK are now offering a grant of £150 to any club that wants to run an ILCA Women’s Coaching Day at their Club, please contact Fiona Attwell who, aided by Jonathan Stirling, will be ready to help. There will some conditions attached - like, you have to do a write-up!
I would like to remind you also that ILCA UK are looking for more women and also younger jurors so if you are interested please let me know (or Ellie or any other committee member). For jurors we can offer development opportunities at our events and the support of the RYA.
Please also add your name to our coach register for opportunities to coach at our events.