UKLA Chair blog #46
Racing my ILCA7 last Wednesday, I was reminded how tricky our sport can be. Tactics should be an easy thing. #1 sail in more pressure and it makes you go faster. Except often the gusts appear and disappear as drafts of wind that are hard to see on the water. #2 tack on headers and stay on lifts. Except when it is a progressive shift you need to stay on the header long. And of course, while in a truly oscillating wind the next shift is always a predictable, we hardly ever sail in those conditions and especially inland, the wind is often just somewhat random. Combining all these factors with their risk and reward weightings would require a degree in game theory. Instead, we reply on experience and with that comes a built-in sense of intuition. So it is hardly surprising that we don’t always get it right!
Of course that is the essence of sport. We put ourselves on the line, exposed to the risks and challenges of competition, not knowing the result in advance. But in sailing in particular we have the ever changing environment over which we have no control. We can just try and bank the experience and hope we recognise the patterns better next time.
At this time of year the calendar is full of events:
Super Sunday is next Sunday 25th June! We want to get as many ILCAs/Lasers on the water as possible and see if we can set a record! (see blog #41).
First two Super Grand Prix can be booked online - One in the South (Lancing) and one in the Midlands (Hollowell). And if you are looking for something further West, Sailingfast Welsh Championships will open tomorrow.
Don’t forget the Masters Nationals closes in 23rd June - can we get close to 150 entries? You must be UKLA member to see tickets and be able to book. JOIN UKLA HERE And don’t forget you can enter an ILCA4 (See blog#40).
This year the Nationals are again at Hayling Island Sailing Club in August providing a great sailing venue and super onshore facilities. We will have daily race clinics, a mentoring program and full social program so it is ideal for anyone wanting to come and race an ILCA4. As the boat is so easy to sail, why not bring a friend as it is quite easy to borrow an ILCA (only the sail and bottom mast section are different to the other rigs) and enjoy the week! And remember this is open to all ages. You will find loads of information here on our website.