ILCA UK Chair Blog # 157
“I just wanted to say a huge thank you to everyone involved in the Open Nationals in Weymouth last weekend (18th/19th). It was our first big race — we’d never been to anything like it before and really didn’t know what to expect. We were so impressed by every part of the event: the organisation, safety, attention to detail, professionalism, and the friendly, open-door spirit from everyone involved. The constant updates, tannoy reminders, clear briefing, WhatsApp group, and delicious sailing snacks (that pasta was amazing!) made everything run so smoothly. We also loved the café, the quality of the food (including brilliant vegan options), and the buzzing, welcoming atmosphere. I think the way it was all managed gives the children and parents a real sense of being in a safe space, where the people in charge know exactly what they're doing. That filled us all with confidence and meant we could all just focus on enjoying the weekend.
We’re completely new to this, so I don’t know how it all works behind the scenes, but we absolutely loved it and are so grateful to everyone who worked so hard to make it happen. I imagine a lot more goes into it than most people realise - so a big and genuine thank you to all involved.”
It is lovely for everyone involved in organising these events to get messages like this. It also underlines why our class is doing so well, just look at the numbers this autumn. Two consecutive weekends at WPNSA with between 180 to190 entries – these are incredible numbers. Then this past weekend almost 80 masters (including 2 sailors over 75) at the Masters Inlands at Grafham. Next weekend the Inlands at Draycote have over 155 entries and they are still open! Of course, at the same time there is ILCA UK training, Grands Prix and club racing taking place across the country.
A couple of things I loved – firstly there was 3 tough races in great waves Weymouth Bay on one of the Saturdays – what a treat to be sailing an ILCA in those conditions, made possible by our super race management and safety team. Secondly, we had a full compliment of British Sailing Team sailors competing – some of the world’s best sailors racing alongside some at their first National Open. Then to get a debriefing from some of those sailors based on the Trac Trac trackers is brilliant. I think it shows what’s great about our class.
Snippets
ILCA Events 2025
World Sailing Inclusion Championships - Oman (03/12 – 08/12 2025) - Personal message from Leo
You will see our 2025 calendar is almost complete!
Inland Championship Draycote Water SC 1/2 Nov - Entries still open
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)
Introduction to Masters sailing - ILCA UK NEW Masters rep Gareth Humphrey
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
Ovington ILCA UK National Open 5 report
Rooster ILCA UK National Open 4 - ILCA6 report
ILCA Women's Coaching Programme Returns to Queen Mary Sailing Club
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