UKLA National Championships at the WPNSA - Standard ILCA7 Fleet Overall
by Jake Bowhay 27 Aug 19:11 BST
24-26 August 2020
The final day of the UKLA ILCA7's Nationals at Weymouth delivered a stunning spectacle of racing - blue sky, 15-22 knot winds, dolphins and red hot racing. As expected Elliott Hanson won the regatta, but was pushed by Michael Beckett.
After a much-welcomed rest day due to strong winds racing was resumed on the third and final day for the ILCA 7 fleet. The fleet was greeted with 15-22 knots from the West so with the wind coming more off the land than before it was to be a battle of both brains and brawn.
After a few start attempts as the race officer grappled with shifty conditions and an eager fleet race 4 was under way with many of the fleet vying for the pin end. Usual service was resumed for Hansen as he collected another race win while old hand Nick Harrison led the Masters in tenth.
More recalls were required in race 5 to tame the fleet and sailors such as Ben Flower, class measurer Alan Davis (hopefully better at measuring ILCAs than the distance to the line!), Kiwi Luke Deegan, Guy Noble and several others fell foul of the black flag. This time the boat end was favoured by most of the fleet and it was Micky Beckett who was finally able to break Hanson's stride winning the race.
It was Norman Struthers with the best start for the final race of the event winning the pin end - immortalised in a wonderful photograph by UKLA's photographer Sam Pearce.
After being black-flagged Ben Flower picked up in his best result finishing 4th, clearly the rest did his legs some good. Micky again took the race win.
The event is sponsored by several great companies. Each day of racing has a daily title sponsor. UKLA is grateful to Ovington, Sailingfast, Sailboats.co.uk, Southeast Sailboats and Noble Marine for their support.
Interview with Elliot Hanson:
Overall Results:
1st Elliot Hanson
2nd Michael Beckett
3rd Sam Whaley
4th Joseph Drake
5th Daniel Whitely
6th Jack Hopkins
7th Ben Flower
8th Krishan Bhogal
9th Norman Struthers
10 Jake Farren-Price
13th & 1st Master - Nick Harrison
16th & 2nd Master - Mark Lytle
24th & 3rd Master - Tim Law
Full results can be found here.