Noble Marine Vaikobi UKLA Qualifier 6 at Weymouth & Portland Sailing Academy

New records set! All extremes of weather! This qualifier had it all...

With speculation as to whether racing would go ahead on Saturday (due to the previously predicted 40knt gusts!), the relatively small ILCA 6 fleet, of just 58 boats, arrived Saturday morning with high hopes that were swiftly met with the promise of three intense races, after the storm passed through the previous evening.

With the ILCA 6s back to the third start, an 11:55 planned warning signal for the ILCA 7s allowed for a more relaxed morning in preparation for the workout to come, and oh so it was!

Noble Marine Vaikobi UKLA Qualifier 6 at Weymouth - photo © Georgie Altham / www.facebook.com/galthamphotography

A westerly wind direction set up for a pretty balanced race course in the harbour with the top pack emerging from both the left and right hand side. Throughout the races it was clear that boat speed was paramount and a demanding work rate was necessary in order to power over the waves up the beat; as well as regular shifts specifically in the top third up to the windward mark.

However the runs were no rest breaks with inconsistent chop and close peaks proving surfing to be more challenging combined extreme gusts sweeping in from behind keeping sailors on their toes. As the speeds were so high, trying to sail around the chop and towards the gusts seemed to be the best way to promote plaining and make a smooth transition down to the bottom mark.

But perhaps the most exciting point of Saturday's racing was the record breaking 'no black flag starts' from the 6's which is a significant improvement from the last qualifier at HISC!

Noble Marine Vaikobi UKLA Qualifier 6 at Weymouth - photo © Georgie Altham / www.facebook.com/galthamphotography

Day 2 was quite the opposite from Saturday with winds predicted to be 10-12knts and dropping throughout the day. The boat park greeted us with torrential rain early in the morning resulting in many covers staying on until the last minute, however everyone was determined to get at least one race in and just before launch, the rain stopped and the sun lit up the course.

With quick starts from the 7's and 4's, the 6's were soon under way with just enough wind to remain hiking - this soon changed...

As predicted the wind was NNE bringing lots more shifts and lead changes throughout the race. Left was favoured up the first beat with a 20o left shift coming in at the top mark as the wind rapidly dropped. A close rounding from the whole fleet resulted in the first run either making or breaking your race, as so much was to be gained - or lost - from the large clumps of boats all battling for the overlap at the leeward gate.

As expected, clean wind was key to breaking free from the pack and was found only on the edges of either side. The second beat also proved the left to be favoured as large gains were made from the frequent shifts and more importantly the pressure rolling in from the top left.

Noble Marine Vaikobi UKLA Qualifier 6 at Weymouth - photo © Georgie Altham / www.facebook.com/galthamphotography

However by the end of the reach, all essence of wind had faded and it was a tense but slow run to the final gate whilst watching for any patch of potential pressure to drive in from behind.

Whilst the sun was now beaming, it wasn't long before the 7's began another start as the wind filled back in and looked promising to stay, however after half a beat, it fizzled out again and the race was quickly abandoned. As a long postponement was under way, competitors were entertained by the sighting of dolphins out to join the fun, although all fun came to an end eventually with AP over A signalling no more racing and a slow drift back in.

Jon Emmett, 1st - Noble Marine Vaikobi UKLA Qualifier 6 at Weymouth - photo © Georgie Altham / www.facebook.com/galthamphotography

Results were extremely close with just 3 points separating sixth through to twelfth, however early wins from Jon Emmett in race 1 and 2 established a strong lead, with Ben Elvin closing in fast with seconds on races 2 and 3; as well as Molly Sacker with a third and two fourths leaving the top three very close and finishing Jon, Ben, Molly respectively.

An extra congratulations to Stokes Bay SC for securing five members in the top fifteen: Ben Elvin, Alistar Brown, Chloe Evlin, Ollie Payne and Archie Wright.

Finally a massive thank you on behalf of all the ILCA sailors from the weekend to all the helpers and volunteers who make these events possible. And as usual we must support our sponsors as they support us. A special mention for the principle sponsors of this weekend Noble Marine and Vaikobi.

ILCA 6 Results:

Molly Sacker, 3rd - Noble Marine Vaikobi UKLA Qualifier 6 at Weymouth - photo © Georgie Altham / www.facebook.com/galthamphotography