ILCA UK Chair Blog # 168
We have our first National Open this weekend at Warsash and it is oversubscribed, indicating the continuing strength of our class. Vice-Chair, Neil Collingridge writes below. The ILCA UK calendar is starting to take shape so you can start planning the season ahead. As well as National events there are Grands Prix and our new Regional Youth series - there is something for everyone.
“Next weekend sees the first of our 2026 National Opens - at Warsash Sailing Club. Lead sponsor for the weekend is Sailingfast and I believe Rooster will also be on site plus Ovington will be there with their rib. As always a massive thankyou to our Class Sponsors. It’s a venue we’ve not been to as a class for many years but the enthusiasm of their club and its volunteers has been notable and we reached our entry limit of 180 boats some while ago. We also have a new Social Media Coordinator who we hope will be there so dont be surprised if someone sticks a microphone in front of you.
There are a few things that will help the event go smoothly. Warsash is on a one way system and space is tight. Please read the joining instructions email before you get there. Boats and trailers can be dropped off after 16:00 on Friday - they go into Strawberry Field behind the Club - and someone will be there to help you. There will be a bit of a logistics challenge so the more who drop off on Friday evening the better.
Similarly whilst we launch off the beach we recover up the public slipway so we need folk to volunteer to bring trolleys round and stack them by fleet. Please remember that there are plenty of sailors whose support persons are afloat running the racing so please don’t just do your own trolley….many hands make light work. If you haven’t volunteered already please contact Ellie at events@ilca.uk
We’d like to get back to having regular reports in Yachts and Yachting so we are asking whoever comes 5th overall in each fleet to write something after each event. Help and editing will be provided.
I’m sure if everyone pitches in the weekend will be a great success. The rugby will be on in the Clubhouse on Saturday night so come and join me in supporting the French!
Please sail by the racing rules and have a great weekend.”
Other Information
On 7th – 10th April 2026, the RYA Youth Nationals are taking place at Hayling Island Sailing Club for the ILCA 6/7 Male and ILCA 6 Female Sailors. Hayling is an amazing venue on the South coast of England and is sure to provide excellent sailing conditions.
The event is open to enter at the following link:
https://youthnationals.rya.org.uk/en/default/races/race
Places are limited so of you are looking to enter, please do as soon as you can.
If you have any questions regarding the event, contact the RYA at racing.events@rya.org.uk
The ILCA committee and Masters are keen to know your thoughts on Master sailing, and we have a survey to help us to understand your needs / thoughts better. Please do help by filling it in :
Dates for Nationals 2026 – for clarification the dates of sailing for the 2026 Nationals are 23rd to 28th July – 6 days of racing. Registration will be possible on 22nd or morning of 23rd.
ILCA4 Mk2 sail I know some questions have been raised about this. Implementing a new sail in a global class, with racing taking place every month of the year, is complex. The reasons for the new sail, stated in the Press Release, is the medium-term supply of the sailcloth being used could be not guaranteed and a need to increase the durability of ILCA4 sails by changing the sailcloth. It would not be fair to allow the sail to be class legal if it is not available for sailors to purchase and the earliest date ILCA felt that is possible is 1st August.
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 - 22-28th 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
Snippets
Youth World Championships 2026 - Notice of Selection
In case you are interested, here is a link to my 2nd message as ILCA President.