UKLA ILCA 6 Masters Qualifier at Pevensey Bay Sailing Club

Prizewinners - ILCA 6 and 7 Masters Qualifier at Pevensey Bay © UKLA

For a variety of reasons the turnout for this Qualifier was a little down on the usual with about 15 boats lining up for the first start. A more compact fleet than the two weeks prior full Qualifier at Hayling Island and no risk of being outpaced by a squad of talented 15 year olds (again).

The wind strength was in the mid teens with gusts and with a strong inbound tide flowing up the channel. The course was a mile or so out to sea so conditions were looking fantastic. Although wind with tide for the first two races the seas were a bit of handful, particularly on starboard. The format the RO selected was triangle, sausage.

First race most boats started towards the pin end, tacked as soon as possible and headed inshore to get some relief from tide and seas. It did feel like the wind eased inshore but not enough to tempt people to stay out (nearly everybody).

Mark Greenstreet - ILCA 6 Masters Qualifier at Pevensey Bay - photo © UKLA

Ian Gregory (Frensham/SBSC) got to grips with the conditions instantly and did an horizon job over the first triangle. Jimmy Carter (Lancing), Alison Stevens (QM), Jeff Loosemore (Australia) and others formed a fairly compact fleet following on.

The second upwind provided a shift for the peloton that Ian was ahead of allowing him to be reeled in, though he continued on to take the gun, followed by Jimmy and Alison. An interesting feature of the race was a very long beat, took close to 20 minutes to complete...

Second race again benefited from a pin end start and making a dash for inshore. Ian again got to the windward mark first but closely followed by Bexhill's Andrew Byrne, self and Jeff again. Self fell back from the leading three and Ian took the gun again.

Ellie Ratusniak - ILCA 6 Masters Qualifier at Pevensey Bay - photo © UKLA

For the third race the tide started to turn and the seas got a little more disorganised. This may be a reason for Ian jumping the gun (or at least thinking he may have done over a minute into the race...), returning and taking off to chase the pack down.

I had limited visibility of the front of the fleet for reasons of competence, but Andrew took the race with Ian battling for second, Parkstone's Peter Taylor in third.

Really nice to see Rob Beere (sixth overall) back on the scene and ILCA's own Ellie Ratusniak involved in the racing! Great organisation from Pevensey as ever, shore crews, galley, race team (RO Richard Holtumn) and rescue all very professional.

Rob Cage - ILCA 6 Masters Qualifier at Pevensey Bay - photo © UKLA

After racing all the talk was whether to go home or not. The forecast were universally dreadful - no wind and torrential rain... and so it was. Those who did the Saturday evening social enjoyed top nosh and a prize draw. It was Mac Courts who won a Minorca Sailing holiday - thank you!

So three great races rounded off a really good season of UK Masters racing. If you'd like to join us next season please check out the UKLA website. Masters racing is fun but still competitive. We welcome all those over 30 and who have raced at club level and above. We have loads of prizes, good food and perfect socials.

Finally thanks to all our sponsors Minorca Sailing, Vaikobi, Ovington, Southeast Sailboats, Sailingfast and Noble Marine.

Ian Gregory wins the ILCA 6 Masters Qualifier at Pevensey Bay - photo © UKLA

Overall Results:

John Rey - ILCA 6 Masters Qualifier at Pevensey Bay - photo © UKLA