ILCA 7 Masters Nationals at Stokes Bay Sailing Club

This three day National Championships attracted 114 ILCA 6 & 7 entries. Split evenly, two 50 plus boat fleets would provide some of the most challenging racing many of the UK Masters have seen in years. Bright sunshine and a vigorous 16 to 23 knots were on the cards for the first two days with winds moderating on the Sunday. This turned out to be an accurate forecast.

A large number of sailors and their partners camped in a field right next to the dinghy park overlooking the sea. Although a bit blustery, this gave the whole event the feel of a festival, helped by a large marquee full of flags to be used in the event of the unreliable British weather deciding to rain on our parade!

ILCA 7 Masters Nationals at Stokes Bay - photo © Shaun Roster

Luke Deegan (NZ) took the title of Masters National Champion 2022. A slip up on the first race (missing a mark out at the finish), causing him to go from 1st to 5th and a 7th in the 7th race, made the points fairly close but with 5 bullets he was never in any real danger. Matthew Reid also got off to a bad start with a UFD but soon established a firm grip on second place. Likewise Robert Holmes had six 3rd places out of the eight races.

It's worth pointing out that these three Apprentice Masters are all in their early 30's. In the fairly challenging conditions it would be surprising if an old codger (I mention no names) was to prevail and rather a poor reflection on the younger Masters coming through.

ILCA 7 Masters Nationals at Stokes Bay - photo © Shaun Roster

We have to keep the Masters fresh and attracting the younger sailors is imperative. The older competitors can take comfort in doing well in their age category... On that note Orlando Gledhill M 4th, Mark Lyttle GM 5th, Nick Harrison GM 6th, Alan Davis GM 7th, Tim Law GGM 8th, Chris Ellyatt GM 9th and Peter Young M 10th all sailed well to make that much sort after top ten slot.

The results posted, rather brutally, state each competitors age. More than half of the top twenty were over 50 - (a special shout out for Mike Hicks 69). This is testament not only to the skill of all those who got through those first two days but to their physical fitness - in conditions like these most people this age are propping up the bar or slouched on a couch.

ILCA 7 Masters Nationals at Stokes Bay - photo © Shaun Roster

The final day, Sunday, brought very little wind in comparison. What there was was shifty and fickle. However the earlier start and lesser wind made the spring tide a serous impediment to all. Just getting up to the start line proved difficult for some. The RO, Mike Haynes and his team, managed to get two short races in to round off what was a terrific Masters Nationals.

Apart from the new younger masters there were a good number of club sailors who tried a big event for the first time. UKLA congratulate you all. This was not an easy event to compete in and we look forward to seeing you at the next masters regatta.

ILCA 7 Masters Nationals at Stokes Bay - photo © Shaun Roster

With significant representation from three big ILCA clubs; Stokes Bay SC, Parkstone SC and Queen Mary SC, the prize for best performing club was not going to be easy. Parkstone suffered a blow with the loss of several top sailors to injury and covid so it was really between QM and SB. Stokes Bay ended up victorious with a great performance from the Ben Elvin and Ross Harvey in the ILCA 6 fleet and Nick Harrison in the ILCA7s.

Stokes Bay SC, Tim Pearce and all the volunteers from the club helped make everything go smoothly and UKLA say Thank You. The Race committee, all the mark layers and on-the-water volunteers were superb.

UKLAs sponsors: Sailingfast, Ovington Boats, Vaikobi and Southeast Sailboats, provided dozens of great prizes which were much appreciated by all. Please like their instagram and Facebook pages as they offer all sorts of great deals from time to time.

ILCA 7 Masters Nationals at Stokes Bay - photo © Shaun Roster

The next event of UKLA is the Open National Championships at Hayling Island 17th to 22nd July - with 250 entries this is likely to be bigger than last years 50th and it's not too late to enter - closes 8th July. These events are for everyone so dust off your Laser/ILCA and come along and have 5 day great racing. Don't forget to book your food.

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