Brits at the 2022 ILCA 7 Masters Worlds presented by Paradise Village Group at Vallarta - Overall
by Guy Noble 9 Jun 2022 10:39 BST
31 May - 7 June 2022
Summing up an absolute classic ILCA7 Masters Worlds - How did the Brits do?
People kept saying, "it's a world championships - of course it's tough". This is undeniably true and is how it should be, but foolish old men have dreams. They were young once and now, as the years roll past, they still carry something of their youthful dreams, and what would be the point of it all if it was easy anyway? These rolling years have, at the very least, shown that truth.
At the very centre of our being is the awareness that we live, so it makes perfect sense that we do things that make us feel alive. To the outside world this can look ridiculous but what is the choice ?
Alfred Lord Tennyson said: 'Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all'.
Well let's just say, at the risk of looking even more ridiculous: Tis better to have raced and lost, than never to have raced at all.
I only hope that those who haven't raced (Lasers/ILCAs) are pursuing their dreams. On so many levels this is a sport that allows men and women of all ages to live those dreams. In a small sea-side town in Mexico some of the best old, and not so old, sailors in the world came together to live the dream competing in the 2022 ILCA7 Masters World Championships.
There are so many stories of individuals within the ILCA fleets that are inspiring, funny and moving and that have become legend. The incredible Peter Seidenberg escaping East Germany in a kayak and still competing at the ripe old age of 85. Or, slightly more recently, the extraordinary Stick Daring (Neil Peters) sailing alone around Britain in an old Laser. Not to mention Tim Law, making a remarkable recovery from a recent stroke to become the new World Champion GGM.
Final Days of the 2022 ILCA7 Worlds
The setting was perfect, the amenities... perfect and the race management... well, perfect - praise be to RO Hugh Lester and his team.
Every age category has it super stars who vie for the top places, but if you look further down the results the battles and rivalries are no less intense and exciting to witness. In most regattas by the half way stage the pecking order is pretty much established so, for individuals, the second half becomes more focused on the boats within striking distance.
Aiming to be in the top ten or fifteen or simply to beat a particular competitor becomes the objective. Or it may be just to learn about competing in a world championships - that, in itself is an incredible experience.
Of the 63 competitors in the ILCA7 fleet twelve have very close connections with the UK and should really be counted as 'Brits'. That's just under 20% of the fleet. So it was a good show from the British sailors. Unfortunately several EURILCA Masters events clashed with this event, the consequence being reduced participation - there is a lesson to learn here. The standard of racing was world class and those who decided not to race have missed out.
After the rest day racing resumed and we had three more terrific days racing (see day by day reports from ILCA). The outstanding result of the week was Tim Law taking the 2022 World Champion title in the GGMs. A difficult job was made a bit easier by being very fit - a good lesson for us all.
Mark Lyttle can go home happy with second in the GMs. Up against Brett Bayer, a full time coach and sailor, Mark was pushing hard all the way.
Charlie Bailie Strong was up against some lights helms which suited the lighter wind - had the races been held an hour later in the day he would have had a better chance of the top slot but he held onto second in the AM fleet.
Orlando Gledhill was also up against some professional opposition - Adonis Bourgiouris (47th in the recent open worlds gold fleet) was always going to be difficult to get close to let alone beat. Ernesto Rodriguez took second and Orlando third, which is very impressive as he almost no preparation for the event.
Michael Hicks was fifth in the GGMs having scored a double first on the 3rd day. Chris Ellyatt had four top tens and was thirteenth in the GMs. Neil Peters had several great starts and good upwind speed but lost places downwind ended up a very creditable 15th also GMs. These brits were helped by a very patient Mikey Beckett who provided much appreciated advice and guidance each day.
The event was rounded off with a wonderful prize-giving and party at the roof top Skybar where Stick (Neil Peters) and his lovely wife Emma inspired everyone to dance the the night away. Well done to all who participated and thanks you to everyone who helped make this such a great event.
The Brits results:
Tim Law - 1st GGM Worlds Champion
Mike Hicks - 5th GGM
Mark Lyttle - 2nd GM
Chris Ellyatt - 13th GM
Neil Peters - 15th GM
Guy Noble - 17th GM
Orlando Gledhill - 3rd M
Charlie Baillie Strong - 2nd AM
For full results visit www.sailwave.com/results/vyc/ILCA7Masters2022.htm
Find out more on the event website at 2022ilca7masters.ilca-worlds.org