UKLA Chair blog #58
Some years ago the Laser class (as it was then) ran some ads selling the virtues of Masters sailing. These emphasise the inclusivity and simplicity of ILCA sailing, attracting a wide range of experience and competency. Today masters or veterans sport is booming with older athletes coming back to sport or staying in it longer, whether running, cycling or a plethora of other sports. Sailing is no exception. While many masters are doing club racing or going to Grands Prix across the country, the numbers coming to UKLA events have been strong and growing. At the Masters Nationals we had 117 sailors sailing in at least one race (ILCA 6 – 53, ILCA 7 – 61 and 3 in the newly created ILCA4 division) although with 130 entries some were somewhat put off by the strong wind forecast. This made it the biggest event of the year of Euro Masters series. And of course we had almost 80 entries at Parkstone in late April. Over the last year we had over 200 different masters at our events.
The benefits of masters sailing whether at club level or beyond are obvious – the physical exercise, the mental stimulation of competition and trying to improve and perhaps most importantly the opportunity to socialise. Recently at Queen Mary we had Ninian Eadie “retire” from ILCA sailing in his mid-eighties and it was pleasing and maybe surprising how many of us took him as a role model or inspiration to keep racing ILCAs.
So this is a call out of all sailors over 30, whether you have raced an ILCA or not, to consider a return to club sailing this winter. Or perhaps you want a bit of a challenge - Hayling Island are hosting the 2025 Masters Europeans – why not start a campaign with autumn? Or just come and have some good racing. UKLA can offer a number of opportunities to get started.
14th/15th Oct at WPNSA - a Masters event combined with a main Qualifier
28th/29th Oct at Grafham is the Masters inlands (this opens on Wed 27th Sept). This is a great venue for everyone – no big waves to deal with and the opportunity to enter one of three rigs – ILCA7, ILCA6 and ILCA4. Further, there will be an opportunity downsize or upsize your rig up to the Saturday morning based on the forecast (this may be limited in numbers and there may be a small admin fee).
Remember these events are open to any competent club sailors - it is not all ex-Olympian trialists or ex-Youth Squad sailors!
Next year we already have Masters events scheduled at Rutland, Hayling Island and Weymouth – three super venues.
I look forward to seeing you on the water.
Snippets:
The RYA and British Sailing Team are looking for an ILCA6 coach. See here for more information
There are 13 Grands Prix in 6 regions in Sept and Oct
The second autumn Qualifer is at WPNSA which is also Masters event (entries will open 20th September 2023)
The final qualifer at WPNSA will feature a separate series and start for girls/women in the ILCA4 - it is an open event (entries will open 20th September 2023)
There’s open training in Wales and WPNSA at Oct half term and then the Inlands at Draycote and the Masters Inlands at Grafham.
Nationals Youtube report ILCA6 and ILCA4/ILCA7