ILCA UK Chair Blog #175

May 11

A few things have crossed my desk this week – metaphorically of course; I gave up having a desk 3 years ago and now there’s just an ipad that is battered and bruised by coming out on too many Committee Vessels. Here are a couple or three:

First, someone was lamenting the closure of Southeast Sailboats. “Where will I get all my beautifully neat spliced control lines from now Max has retired?” he asked. I resisted the trite response (learn to splice) – there are suppliers out there who are picking up the slack, so to speak, but I won't plug them on here as I’ll almost certainly leave some out. Meantime though Max has apparently agreed to turn up at Skills Week to do a bit of a teach in – that’s a must attend for me as I’ve mastered the basics of a Brummel hitch, but my brain starts to tie itself in knots (ho ho) when I try to master a double block 8 to 1 Cunningham. And even when I crack it mine never look neat and professional. Better than nothing, and better than a bowline, but a bit tatty all the same.

Second, alongside us opening the UK Nationals this week our Masters Rep, Gareth sent me the following plug for what they are up to. Two iconic venues in store for them so again please get your entries in early as it makes a ton difference to the planning.

“Isn't it great that the weather has warmed and water temperatures are starting to rise, with this we start to feel the difference with the air density and how that changes the feel of gusty winds making ILCA racing feel that little bit more manageable. The Tideway Wealth Master Series calendar of events is about to start with two great events on the south coast at WPNSA and Parkstone Yacht Club.

The weekend of 23/24 May has WPNSA hosting the first event in the series, entries are slowly trickling in but now is the time for that final push to make the commitment and enter. We set a minimum entry number requirement and opened the event to all the ILCA rigs. Entries will close on 18 May so make sure you book this week. WPNSA provides a fantastic venue for sea sailing in the bay or more sheltered waters in the harbour should the weather conditions dictate. There is plenty of good food available to buy in the canteen throughout the day and we have meals available for the Saturday evening should you want to order and pay for these. The bar will of course be open if you would just like a social drink.

3 - 5 July will have Parkstone Yacht Club, near Poole/Bournemouth hosting the Tideway Wealth Master Nationals, this also forms part of the EurILCA Master Series. Parkstone Yacht Club has a state-of-the-art club house and a modern, well-equipped yacht haven, located in Poole Harbour it has a proud 125-year history and enjoys an enviable stature and reputation within the world of competitive sailing. This year in addition to our class sponsors we have a very generous sponsorship from Salcombe Gin for the event. Entries will close on 30 June so please do get your booking in soon.

For those taking part, you'll enjoy some great racing and coastal sailing.”

And third is https://www.fantasysailor.com. At a time when the sport is having to justify its existence at the Olympics we can debate endlessly the merits of one format over another - my two pennies worth is we need the world to be more interested in sailors ahead of the games rather than just at the games (so that when they turn on and see a windless Bay of Marseilles they’ve a reason to try again later rather than just watch the 13 year olds skateboarding – I’ve actually nothing against skateboarding other than the near miss my wrist had returning late from The Cove one night)…..hence the observation from some that the 2 Grand Slam events at Palma and Hyeres had no live stream or tracking for the ILCAs. So here is something new - the fantasy football league on water. It’s less painful than being a West Ham supporter that’s or sure. Pick 4 ILCA7 and 4 ILCA6 sailors for the Europeans starting next week in Croatia, make one of them your power play (OK, I’m a bit biased) and see how they get on, and whether you have a Scooby Doo about who is or isn’t on form. A bit of fun maybe, but can’t do any harm.

Next week, I feel something coming about Class volunteering. We will have the AGM at the Nationals again this year and there are some Committee slots needing filling so if you’ve time, knowledge or experience (or even all 3) and you like working as part of a team, please have a think about how you could help. You have been warned!

Neil

Upcoming events:

Womens Regatta https://portal.ilca.uk/event/ILCA-Women-2026-Burton

Master Series WPNSA - 23-24th May 2026

Masters National Championships Parkstone YC - 3-5 July 2026

Sponsors:
Ovington Boats https://ovingtonboats.com/ilca/

Sailingfasthttps://sailingfast.co.uk/product-category/sailing/boat/ilca/

Rooster https://www.roostersailing.com/

Noble Marine https://www.noblemarine.co.uk/boat-insurance/ilca-dinghy-insurance

Fernhurst Books https://fernhurstbooks.com

Tideway Wealth https://tidewaywealth.co.uk

Wildwind https://wildwind.co.uk