ILCA UK Chair Blog #156
Photo @Lotte Johnson
This week Kate Symons has kindly taken over the blog with a helpful guide for sailors especially those transitioning into the class.
WAVES, WIND AND WHATSAPPS - TRANSITIONING TO ILCAS
We’ve put together some helpful information for parents whose sailors are new to the ILCA class or considering making the move. ILCA is a friendly and welcoming class, and a natural next step for those progressing from Oppies, Teras, Toppers, and other junior classes
GETTING STARTED
Join ILCA UK: https://portal.ilca.uk/join-begin
Sign up to the weekly Chair’s Blog: https://portal.ilca.uk/subscriptions
Join your regional youth WhatsApp community: Complete the contact form here and we will put you in touch with the relevant regional youth rep https://ilca.uk/youth
ILCA UK Youth information: There is a lot of info on the ILCA UK Youth pages, including details of the Regional Youth Series and International Competition
Take a look at the ILCA UK website for general information: https://ilca.uk/
· See: Events for calendar of regattas and training
· See: Training for information on ILCA UK training
TRAINING
ILCA UK Skills week: ILCA UK run an extremely popular skills week in July / August each year. For those that don’t know the format it’s a fabulous opportunity to meet new people and get top notch coaching in ILCA 4, 6 and 7. Sailors are split into small groups based on experience and ability to make the most of the week. You will need to be an ILCA member to sign up. It is usually possible to charter a boat for the week from WPNSA.
ILCA UK Regional Open training: For those new to ILCA and moving up from other classes there are lots of opportunities to train with the class. The regional open training organised by ILCA UK provides weekend training in the various regions with top ILCA UK coaches at both inland and coastal venues. Sign up is via the ILCA UK website. Rigs may train together or separately. There is no selection or qualification process for the regional open training. However, sailors are expected to be regular club racers at a minimum. They should be competent sailing in strong winds and comfortable managing full days afloat in cold/inclement weather. You can sign up for just the sessions that suit you, no need to commit to all sessions and no selection process.
ILCA UK National training: For those that want more training there is the opportunity to train over the Winter as part of the ILCA UK national training group based at WPNSA. This will require you to qualify – usually three top half finishes in the relevant male or female fleet (as appropriate) at the Nationals or National Series events (Sept and Oct). Dates are on the ILCA UK website. Separate groups run for ILCA 4, 6 and 7. The qualification criteria may change, so please check the website for the latest criteria. Eligible sailors can book national training on a first come, first served basis via the ILCA UK website.
RYA Talent Academy and British Youth Sailing: New this year, an RYA scheme to identify “top talent” moving into the ILCA 4 (Talent Transition) and those with “high potential” within the ILCA 6 (Performance Development). Applications via the RYA website (closing date August). For more details see the information on the RYA website: talent-academy
British Youth Sailing Team: Perhaps looking further ahead, the top ILCA 6 and ILCA 7 sailors can apply via RYA website for selection as part of the highly competitive British Youth Sailing Team – usually 4-6 selected sailors. Applications are via the RYA website (closing date August). Selection is based on qualifying events and a selection weekend.
Performance Academy: PA run out of the Andrew Simpson Centre at WPNSA and organise ILCA training through the year as well as supporting International Events with residential and non-residential options. Some of the training is invitational – so it is worth getting to know coaches Charlie and JPM when next in Weymouth. See: Performance Academy – Success at every level
RACING
Take a look at the ILCA UK website for dates and venues, there are lots of events on over the Summer.
· Grand Prix events are run in the various regions and, despite the name, are usually low key club led events. These are perfect first events for those new to the class.
· ILCA Youth Series running at various events over the year and often have on the water coaches to assist those new to ILCA4.
· ILCA National events (previously called Qualifiers) used for qualifying and ranking for international events. These are similar to the NS Topper events, save that you will be mixing in with Olympic sailors in the ILCA6 and ILCA7 class. The events are open to all.
· ILCA Nationals: The ILCAs have a national week long regatta. Sharp at the top end but still a fun event with racing over 6 days and evening entertainment. Sign up on ILCA UK website. This year’s event is at WPNSA from 23 to 29 July.
International competitions
There are lots of opportunities to compete overseas at various levels. These are youth events and there are minimum and maximum age requirements. See relevant website for more details. Those too old for the youth events should look at the U21 events (ILCA 6 for girls and ILCA 7 for boys).
· Europa Cup events: Take a look at the Europa Cup events. There is often a “warm up” Europa Cup event in the same venue as the European Champs. Boats can be chartered and Performance Academy (Performance Academy – Success at every level) and Sailcoach (sailcoach.com – Making You Better) can arrange coaching and boat charters. You do not need to qualify for the Europa Cup events and they are a great stepping stone before moving onto the European / World events below. For more information, and to enter, see EurILCA website.
· European and World Youth Championships: These are top notch competitions. Sailors have a qualifying series and are then split in fleets gold, silver, bronze and emerald. The boys and girls race in separate events. Sailors are expected to be relatively independent, with access to the boat park limited to sailors.
· 2026 Events:
o Youth Euros (Murcia, Spain for ILCA 4 and Thessaloniki, Greece for ILCA 6 in 2026)
o Youth Worlds (Aahus, Denmark August 2026 ILCA 4 and ILCA 6 – two separate weeks / events).
· Applications for international events:
o You will need to compete in one or more of the ILCA UK National Open series to get a GBR ranking for these events and will need a World Sailing number (free - see: World Sailing - Sailor Dashboard). Take a look at the event websites now and familiarise yourself with the deadline dates for event entries – usually well ahead of the event. Apply direct via the event website.
o GBR are allocated an initial number of places and ILCA UK will allocate these to the top ranked sailors that have applied direct to enter the event. Places are allocated by email and you have just a few days to accept the place. Further places are then usually released and in practice, all those that want to sail are therefore usually selected. Take a look at the Youth Page on ILCA UK website for more details including the ranking “ladder”.
· Coached support and charter boats for international events
o Coached support: You will need to have a named coach when registering at the Event. This is essential not just for registration but also as sailors may need to be towed to and from the racing area and there is limited “general safety” support. Performance Academy and SailCoach (and others) can organise coached support (sometimes with residential options)
o Charter boats: Performance Academy and SailCoach (and others) can organise boat charter (estimate around 800 Euros for a week charter) sailors will need to take their sail, and all controls (foils and spars are provided). Boats are good quality and most people charter, although it can be cost effective to arrange group transport depending on the location of the event!
AND FINALLY
· Transitioning into the ILCA class is an exciting step in your sailor’s journey — one that opens up a world of opportunity, challenge, and camaraderie. Whether your child is aiming for international competition or simply looking to enjoy great racing and friendships closer to home, there’s a place for them in the ILCA community.
· With a wealth of training, events, and support available, both sailors and parents can feel supported and connected every step of the way. Don’t hesitate to reach out, get involved, and make the most of what this vibrant class has to offer — we look forward to welcoming you on the water!
Snippets
ILCA Events 2025
You will see our 2025 calendar is almost complete!
Master Inland Championship at Grafham 25/26 Oct - Open for booking, closes 22nd October
Inland Championship Draycote Water SC 1/2 Nov - Entries open by next week
Winter training 2025/2026
Most of our winter programme is available for booking - look through the training calendar and find something for your self in your region
Events 2026
National Opens
National Open 1 - Warsash SC - 14/15 March 2026
National Open 2 - WPNSA - 21/22 March 2026
National Open 3 - WPNSA 28/29 March 2026
Skills Week
ILCA Skills Week 2026 WPNSA - 15/20 August 2026 (Provisional - may move by one day)
National & Open Championships
Unfortunately, due to clashes with international regattas, we could not accept dates offered by the Hayling Island Sailing Club to host our nationals in 2026. We therefore confirmed that the 2026 Nationals will be held in JULY at WPNSA. He hope to go back to HISC soon!
ILCA UK Open & National Championships 2026 WPNSA - 23-29th July 2026
Masters events (over 30)
Master Series WPNSA - 23-24th May 2026
Masters National Championships Parkstone YC - 3-5 July 2026
Masters Inland Championships Draycote Water SC - 7-8 November 2026
Other news
ILCA UK National open 4 2025 video
ILCA Women's Coaching day at Parkstone Yacht Club
ILCA Thames Valley Series Grand Prix at Island Barn Reservoir Sailing Club
ILCA Northern Championship at Leigh & Lowton Sailing Club
2025 ILCA UK National and Open Championships at Plas Heli Welsh National Sailing Academy
Here is Nationals video
2025 Suzuki Master European Championship
2025 ILCA UK Masters Nationals video
2025 ILCAUK Masters Nationals at Hayling Island Sailing Club - ILCA 6 report
2025 ILCAUK Masters Nationals at Hayling Island Sailing Club - ILCA 7 report
QM ILCA initiative has gone from zero to international in six months
2025 ILCA7 Masters Spring Qualifier at Parkstone Yacht Club
2025 ILCA6 Masters Spring Qualifier at Parkstone Yacht Club
ILCA Midland Grand Prix at Attenborough Sailing Club
2025 ILCA UK National Open 2 at the WPNSA - ILCA 4 fleet report
2025 ILCA UK National Open 2 at the WPNSA - ILCA 6 fleet report
2025 ILCA UK National Open 2 at the WPNSA - ILCA 7 fleet report
Video of National Open 2
Also we also had three really good write-ups from that first weekend:
2025 ILCA UK National Open 1 at the WPNSA - ILCA 7 fleet report
2025 ILCA UK National Open 1 at the WPNSA - ILCA 4 fleet report
2025 ILCA UK National Open 1 at the WPNSA- ILCA 6 fleet report
National Open 1 video Here it is.
Finally have you seen the tracking? Here are the links - ILCA UK National Open 1 ILCA UK National Open 2 James Foster did a nice debriefing of the racing using the tracking data, see here. ILCA7 briefing. ILCA4 briefing.
ILCA UK Youth Winter Trophy at Datchet Water Sailing Club - ILCA 4 fleet report
ILCA UK Youth Winter Trophy at Datchet Water Sailing Club - ILCA 6 fleet report