UKLA ILCA 6 National Championships at Weymouth & Portland Sailing Academy - Update

UKLA UK National Championships for ILCA 6 (formerly Laser Radial) © Georgie Altham / www.facebook.com/galthamphotography

We're over half-way through the UKLA national championships and the past three days habe brought intense, close racing with the top five separated by a mere 6 points. The title is still anyone's for the taking, ensuring the last two days of racing will demand everyone to be performing at their best.

2021 is a special year. It was 50 years ago the then-named Laser, was introduced to the world at the New York boat show. Since then over 219,000 boats have been built and it's likely that well over a million people have sailed one. To celebrate this UKLA organised a mass sail out to the race courses in Weymouth Bay on the first day of the 2021 ILCA National Championships.

Leading the fleet of about 270 competitors was a 50 year old boat with wooden foils and the original sail. Unfortunately as all the boats were congregating in the harbour the rather fragile sail gave way. As is the unlimited resourcefulness of the members of the fleet a fitting lash up was done on the water.

Seeing the fleet sailing out the harbour in the warm August sunshine and gentle breeze was a deeply moving sight. However it wasn't long before boats peeled off to their race courses.

UKLA UK National Championships for ILCA 6 (formerly Laser Radial) - photo © Georgie Altham / www.facebook.com/galthamphotography

ILCA 6 racing (formerly Laser Radial)

Two races were completed across the two ILCA 6 flights in a 6-10 knot south-westerly. Molly Sacker, Sebastian Kempe and Daisy Collingridge excelled in the lighter airs, all ending the day on 3 points and tied for first place. However, those close behind were ready to capitalise on the stronger winds forecasted for the rest of the week.

Each day, after racing, there is a breathtaking number of entertainments all organised by the incredible team of volunteers and led by Tony and Nette Woods. Table tennis, hike offs, themed dinners, daily prize-givings and magnificent prize draws. The prize draws have become hugely popular. The event sponsors have been incredible generous with dozens of prizes handed out each day. The event sponsors have been incredible generous with dozens of prizes handed out each day. Ovington, Vaikobi, SailingFast, SouthEast Sailboats and Fernhurst have all given very generously.

UKLA UK National Championships for ILCA 6 (formerly Laser Radial) - photo © Georgie Altham / www.facebook.com/galthamphotography

Sunday brought a similar wind direction but with 14-25knots of breeze. With the race course being set up underneath the wall just outside the harbour keeping your eyes out of boat for big pressure bands and shifts moving down the course was critical. Jon Emmett demonstrated his experience, scoring two firsts to win the day overall moving him up the scoreboard.

A colder norther-westerly wind definitely brought some wacky racing underneath Weymouth and The Nothe on Monday. Leads were lost, big recoveries made and races abandoned due to the 50 degree shift range. Many of the top sailors suffered deeper results yet the day winner Sebastian Kempe showed his ability to sail consistently, scoring a third and second.

So, after three days Daisy Collingridge holds onto the overall lead by two points from Ben Elvin and Sebastian Kempe who complete the top three. The next two days promise more exciting racing to determine the 50th UKLA national champion.

Tuesday's racing will be followed by a grand gala dinner. With special guest Ian Percy, UKLA will be looking to raise money for the Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation. An auction of yet more amazing donations will help this great charity bring sailing to a broader group of youngsters.

Full results below

UKLA UK National Championships for ILCA 6 (formerly Laser Radial) - photo © Georgie Altham / www.facebook.com/galthamphotography

Sponsors

Sailingfast - Duncan brings his battle bus down from Scotland for most the big events, which is so ridiculously well equipped, you could replace everything on your boat. Although based in Scotland they will get anything to you super fast. He also supplied many of the prizes for the draw on Saturday evening.

SouthEast Sailboats - Max brings bespoke quality at affordable prices to the class. His passion for detail has made his products a must have for anyone who wants quality. He also supplied many great prizes for the event.

Ovington Boats - Chris Turner lives dinghies and has been a significance presence in the boat building world for decades. OB are now the official UK builders of ILCAs. A very smart new Ovington ILCA Dinghy was on display at the Masters event.

Vaikobi - a brand born on the waters of Sydney Harbour, out of a passion for all ocean sports. Across the team, we paddle, Surfski, SUP, Wing Foil and Sail. Sailing has been a passion within the business right from the start. The senior management team at Vaikobi comprise more than fifty years of marine industry and sailing experience between them.

Noble Marine - Ian MacManus (the man behind the name) has crafted a very competitive and excellent insurance product for all Laser/ILCA sailors. A very personal service and a extremely useful website help make this the 'go to' company.

Fernhurst Books - Jeremy Atkins has put together an incredible list of the most useful dinghy racing books. If you have books on racing you've probably got at least one Fernhurst book.

UKLA UK National Championships for ILCA 6 (formerly Laser Radial) - photo © Georgie Altham / www.facebook.com/galthamphotography

Results after 8 qualifying races:

UKLA UK National Championships for ILCA 6 (formerly Laser Radial) - photo © Georgie Altham / www.facebook.com/galthamphotography