Noble Marine / Ovington ILCA 6 Qualifier 2 at the WPNSA

On the weekend of the 19th & 20th March, 160 ILCAs, 66 ILCA 6s, gathered at WPNSA for the second Spring Qualifier.

The wind forecast was looking right on the edge of being sailable for Saturday and, unfortunately, when we arrived at the academy, it turned out to be extremely windy with the forecast for the breeze to stay the same all day. The race Committee made an early call to display AP over A straight after the briefing. Whilst this was the right call, it was really frustrating as it was a great day otherwise, blue sky and sun out, albeit just too windy to race! Everyone went away to fill there day doing land based activities before coming back raring to go on day two!

Noble Marine / Ovington ILCA Qualifier at the WPNSA - photo © Lotte Johnson / www.lottejohnson.com

The Race Officer made an alteration to Sailing Instructions allowing them to run four races on the Sunday. Sunday's forecast was for champagne Sailing, we were set to go! The wind direction resulted in only a short sail to the race course and there was a bit more wind than forecast, probably around 20 knots.

Race 1 saw the leaders come from the middle left at the 1st windward mark as the wind shifted slightly left at the top of the course. The boats far out to the right hand side were not looking to be in a strong position, missing out on this gain. On to the first downwind it was clear that staying in the pressure was going to be the key. Seb Kemp found himself at the front, chased down by Hannah Snellgrove and Matilda Nicholas. Seb managed to hold on to his lead, taking his first race win of the day. Hannah was second and Matilda third.

Noble Marine / Ovington ILCA Qualifier at the WPNSA - photo © Lotte Johnson / www.lottejohnson.com

Race 2 saw the race course become a bit more equal, with boats coming in well from the right hand side to the 1st mark. The same few boats rounded first, hunted down by the rest of the fleet close behind. The right hand side paid on the second beat, with the wind going slightly right on the right hand side. Seb was back in the lead, but Hannah played the shifts really nicely into the windward mark, closing the gap ahead. Daisy Collingridge followed in third. The positions stayed the same, with Seb taking his second win of the day.

In race 3 the right side proved to be favoured again, a theme of there being slightly more pressure and slightly flatter water. Matilda was back right at the front joined by Seb and Hannah. Seb went on to win his third race, securing him the event victory, with a race to spare. Hannah finished second, followed by Matilda.

Noble Marine / Ovington ILCA Qualifier at the WPNSA - photo © Lotte Johnson / www.lottejohnson.com

Race 4 was slightly lighter than the other 3. The wind came back slightly left making the boats on the right stress slightly, however just as they approached the starboard lay line, the breeze clocked back right giving them a nice lift into the windward mark. Daisy went on to win the race followed by Hannah and Matilda.

The race committee did a great job to get the four races turned around so quickly. You definitely didn't want to be to near the back of the fleet, as then there was no time for a quick break which was required in the windy conditions.

Noble Marine / Ovington ILCA Qualifier at the WPNSA - photo © Lotte Johnson / www.lottejohnson.com

The ILCA6 Fleet would like to thank all those at WPNSA both on shore and on the water teams for a great day of racing. Also all the volunteers from UKLA who made the day run so smoothly.

Overall Results:

Thanks to all those who support the ILCA fleets:

• Noble Marine - has crafted a very competitive and excellent insurance product for all Laser/ILCA sailors. A very personal service and an extremely useful website help make this the 'go to' company. www.noblemarine.co.uk
• 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. Check out his website: sailingfast.co.uk
• 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. Visit www.vaikobi.com
• 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. Visit www.ovingtonboats.com