ILCA UK Chair Blog #178

I’m getting others to help with the Blog this week, partly as I seem to have plenty on but partly because their topics are great ones!

First, entries for Skills Week open today at 19:00. I saw a post saying it was going to be chaos, or words to that effect. That was I can assure you a reference to the scramble for tickets, not the week itself which is always a winner and will have been planned with meticulous detail. So a big thankyou to theTraining team who have organised this. I believe at least some of the recent growth in numbers we have seen in the Class has been due to Skills Week which was conceived to help sailors transition into the Class or across rig sizes. The easiest transitions in my opinion are those which aren’t made into a big deal so that they just happen with minimum fuss…..and this is exactly that. And whilst there’s been plenty of debate about what to call them, there’s also an over 18’s group reflecting that some slightly mature members want to join in the fun. Anyway, here’s something from the Training Sub-Committee:

“Thanks Neil for letting us take over the Chair’s Blog this week. Skills Week 2026 has temporarily seized control of proceedings and even persuaded Neil to publish the blog a few hours early!

⏰Bookings open tonight at 7:00pm. If you’ve already set an alarm, and now warming up your fastest finger-first booking technique, you're not alone! Please remember that whilst the ticket launch may resemble the start of a medal race, the week itself is considerably more relaxed, carefully planned, and a huge amount of fun including a social evening with a band and team racing extravaganza!

Join us at the fantastic Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy for five days of sailing, learning, racing, laughing and probably discussing rig settings far more than any normal person should.

Whether you're new to the class, transitioning between rigs, or simply looking to sharpen your skills alongside friends, Skills Week is one of the best opportunities to improve your sailing and immerse yourself in everything ILCA.

New for 2026: The Godfather of Splicing – Max Hunt - will be running workshops to transform your rope work from “that’ll do” to “who did that for you?”

Ticket options available:

• ILCA 4

• ILCA 6

• ILCA 7

• OVER 18s & MASTERS

Transition sailors are very welcome—please book the ticket for the rig your sailor will train in during Skills Week and provide details of their current experience when prompted during the booking process. For example, if your sailor is currently in an ILCA 4 but plans to train in an ILCA 6 during Skills Week, please book an ILCA 6 ticket.

Important: You must be an ILCA UK member to participate. If you’re not currently a member, don’t worry—book your place first and we’ll help sort membership afterwards.

🔗 Membership joining info https://portal.ilca.uk/join-begin

If places sell out, please join the waiting list. We’ll do everything we can to create additional places.

Five days. World-class venue. Outstanding coaches. Huge Fun. Massive learning opportunity.

And if previous years are anything to go by, you’ll leave tired, happy, faster, with better splices, and already asking when Skills Week 2027 opens.

🔗Bookings open TODAY (Monday 1 June) at 7:00pm

https://portal.ilca.uk/event/2026-ILCA-Skills-Week

Thankyou”

Second, and I’m going to reserve the right not to do this every time someone has a bonkers idea, I’ve been asked to publicise Faith Turner sailing a Topper to France and back to raise money for cancer research. It’s a cause close to my heart. Quite why she’s chosen a Topper not an ILCA which she now sails I can’t say but my observation is she’d get back quite a bit quicker! Anyway here’s something from Faith:

“Hello, my name is Faith Turner, an ILCA 4 sailor ex Topper. I am planning to sail from Dover to Grap Gris (and back hopefully) at the end of June in my old red Topper to raise money for Cancer Research UK since my friends mother was recently diagnosed. 

 Please help me raise money and awareness in any way you can. This is going to be a massive challenge crossing the channel with all the shipping traffic. Luckily I have the support of XB44 and Highfield who have generously given RIB’s to support, especially XB44 who are also bringing their staff. Sail GP may be supporting this and I also could be going to SeaWorks for a presentation.

If you know any potential corporate sponsors please could they email my father – mark@bmltd.net.

 We are also going to auction 6 seats on XB44’s brand new Gemini 880 RIB for people to join me on the journey, so if you fancy a trip to France let me know!

 I will have a tracker thanks to TracTrac; my coach Tim Hulse who knows my limitations plus 2 support RIBs with me on my voyage. I cannot tell you how much I am looking forward to this. I set sail very early at around 04:30, depending on which day the conditions are suitable. Please come and either see me set sail or welcome me home. Also please send messages of support via my Facebook Page...they will be read out to me....

I am still looking for sponsors. Their logo will be printed onto my sail. Please reach out if you are interested to mark@bmltd.net.

The event website is - https://faith.cmws.net/#bio

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61589698126143

Donations - https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/page/faith-sails-to-france-in-a-topper

Thank you x”

That’s all from me (or more accurately from others) for this week. 

Neil

Upcoming events:

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

Masters National Championships Parkstone YC - 3-5 July 2026

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

Sailingfast https://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

For your support Rooster are providing a discount code for ILCA Members :  ILCAUK10 for 10% off a range of Rooster products!

Social Media:
• Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ilca_uk/
• Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ILCAUK/
• Website https://ilca.uk/

👉🏼Sign up to ILCA UK Chair blog: https://portal.ilca.uk/subscriptions

See all the results here: https://ilca.uk/ilca-uk-results-2026

Skills Week:

ILCA Skills Week 2026 WPNSA - 15/20 August 2026 (Provisional - may move by one day)

Other Snippets:

Youth World Championships 2026 - Notice of Selection