Noble Marine & Sailingfast UKLA ILCA7 Spring Qualifier 2 at the WPNSA

The UKLA Qualifiers are grouped into two; three in the spring and three in the autumn. In an attempt to avoid school exams, holidays and international fixtures these are the periods in the season that have the least clashes. 156 ILCA competitors made their way to WPNSA for the second spring qualifier.

The second ILCA7 qualifier of the year was met on the first day with light winds. It was good that the first day schedule started a bit later as this allowed the conditions to build slightly before the fleet launched. The RC did an excellent job getting 3 races completed in the ILCA7 fleet in the light conditions.

UKLA ILCA 7 Spring Qualifier 2 at the WPNSA - photo © Georgie Altham

First race was light and shifty. Those who started from the right hand side of the course managed to have an easier time on the first beat. Whereas the second beat showed more promise from left hand shifts.

The second race saw more pressure from the right hand side of the race track however, the wind predominantly shifted to the left. In the end it was the right hand side of the first beat that paid off because pressure beats shift in light winds. On the downwind however it was beneficial to be on the right hand side of the fleet looking downwind.

UKLA ILCA 7 Spring Qualifier 2 at the WPNSA - photo © Georgie Altham

The final race of the day saw a close finish between the top four boats with all boats near each other at the final gate mark. This was caused by light winds throughout the race with random shifts. Nick Welbourn finished the day with a near perfect 1,2,1. Jack Graham-Troll 3,3,2 and Seb Kempe 5,1,3. Terry Hacker and Angus Kemp and James Curtis (banking a 2nd in the first race) also did well.

Sunday promised more wind, and the fleet was released out into the bay to sail in a building 12-18 knot wind which was an excellent reward following the day before.

UKLA ILCA 7 Spring Qualifier 2 at the WPNSA - photo © Georgie Altham

I got the day started well in the first race, whereas the overnight leader, Nick Welbourne, carded his drop race of the regatta (8th). I played the left hand side of the track on the first upwind because I believed that the pressure was more consistent from that side despite there being a massive right shift right off the start. This race ended up being a very flukey and in my opinion borderline abandon-able race. However, by staying bold to the left hand side of the course I managed to overtake a few boats and come home with the win.

The second race was a lot more stable with the wind more out of the west. This came with more pressure as well. The predominant shift in the race was a left shift however a few boats found good pressure and a big shift from the right. This caused a pretty close fleet at the top of the course. At the top of the downwind leg the left hand side did not work but the right was the way to go. However, as you moved downwind the left hand side gained more pressure and it was the obvious way to go.

UKLA ILCA 7 Spring Qualifier 2 at the WPNSA - photo © Georgie Altham

The last race of the day the field was again very close however much like the second race it was all about the shift. This was more again on the left hand side of the track whereas the right experienced a lot less shifts then it did in race 2.

Congratulations to Nick Welbourn - for a clear win, Seb Kempe 2nd - for very consistent results, James Foster 3rd - for pulling it back at the last minute and Jack Graham-Troll for keeping it together in spite of the stronger wind in the last 2 races.

UKLA ILCA 7 Spring Qualifier 2 at the WPNSA - photo © Georgie Altham

I would like to thank the RC, volunteers, and class members along with fellow competitors for an enjoyable weekend of racing.

Thanks to Noble Marine and Sailingfast as primary sponsors of the weekend and Rooster and Ovington Boats for sponsoring the qualifiers:

• Noble Marine
• Rooster Sailing
• Ovington Boats
• Sailingfast

Overall Results: