ILCA UK Chair Blog #95

At this time of year, many sailors are getting into the swing of the summer season – club racing, youth weeks, open meetings, Nationals, Skills week and for some international events, so it is probably a good time to write about ILCA sailing in UK and if needed allow you share with others. There is information of the website under each class / rig. For example

New to ILCA UK? UK class association for ILCA
Moving into an ILCA? Your complete guide
UKLA Youth Sailing Pathway Opportunities
Choosing the best ILCA Rig - Which ILCA rig most suits me?
Youth page for more information about Youth sailing
Masters page to read more about UK Masters circuit (Age 30+)
Grand Prix page for the extensive national Grand Prix circuit
Events for calendar of regattas and training
Training for information on ILCA UK training
Your Guide to Class Legal Equipment

We want our class to be inclusive and welcoming to all. That means we have hundreds of youth sailors, masters and club sailors mixing together. We have sailors in the Olympics this summer and we have sailors who will sail just at thair club. Almost all our events are open - we don’t run squads or teams - enabling that inclusive environment.

Club level

Many sailors learn to sail and race ILCAs in their local club or transition from Junior classes to ILCA at their club. Many clubs around the country have a very active ILCA racing fleet.

The clubs are encouraged to develop fleets in all three rigs for all age groups. If you want ILCA training at your club, ask your class captain or organise it yourself. Most clubs love voluntters to step forward to organse sailing activities and it is not as hard ss you think. ILCA UK can advise on local coaches and if your training is open to non-members, ILCA UK will help you promote it. Also ask your class captain if they are on the ILCA UK Class Captains WhatsApp group.

Regional level

Some ILCA sailors will want to start venturing further afield. ILCA UK maintain a calendar of open meetings and Grands Prix which are usually open to everyone in all rigs. These regattas help develop your skills in lots of different types of venue and you can decide to do a couple every year or more. Many regions also have youth racing leagues during the summer, often with mixed classes.

ILCA UK run regional training once per month during the winter for all rigs and these are open to all members of ILCA UK. This winter (24/25), the RYA will no longer be running Regional Training Groups for the ILCA4 and ILCA UK have taken over the running of these.

ILCA UK also run an annual skills week during the summer – this year in Pwllheli in July and Weymouth in August (please note these events may be full / waitlist only - please check on website) and sailors transitioning to the ILCA from a junior class may these useful.

National level

ILCA UK run seven Nationals regattas each year and the National Championship (a fun week of good sailing and onshore activities) and these are open to all age groups and rigs, with club sailors encouraged to enter. In addition we run a number of Masters events (aged 30 and over).

We also run National training once per month during the winter. In order to ensure you are at the right standard for these, you ask that sailors do a number of Nationals events before this and finish in the top half of the fleet. ILCA UK does not run squads.

The great thing about ILCAs is the number of international events that are open. In addition there are European and World championships in each rig which have restricted numbers. The good news is that we normally get more than enough places for sailors interested. We don’t select teams from these events and regatta support is available through ILCA UK

Snippets

Get ready for the summer – Chair’s playlist of three virtual training sessions on Youtube

ILCA UK events

You can enter the ILCA UK Noble Marine Open & National Championships 2024 – WPNSA here

The next ILCA UK event is the Masters weekend at WPNSA on 6th/7th July. Why not come and start your program for the Masters Europeans in Hayling Island next June? For those of you considering a return to competitive ILCA sailing after some years at this Masters event, remember you are not expected to perform at the same level as you did as a youth!

After that we also have the Women ILCA Regatta - Rutland Sailing Club on 13th/14th July. If you want to ask more about this, Fiona’s contact details are on the link. She would love to hear from those thinking of transitioning from junior classes and masters and anyone else.

Welsh Championships welcome sailors of all ages on 19/21st July and Youth is invited to sail at the Youth Open event at Royal Lymington YC 27/28th July.

Other ILCA events

Over the summer there are many open meetings and Grands Prix all over the country. See our calendar.

In addition, for those youths looking for regional racing throughout the season, check out these (none of these are UKLA events so for details please see the organisers):