Gill ILCA Midland Grand Prix at Grafham Water Sailing Club

Gill ILCA Midland Grand Prix at Grafham © Paul Sanwell / OPP

Grafham Water SC hosted a one-day ILCA Open Meeting, part of the UKLA Midland Grand Prix Series on 27th May. The event was sponsored by Gill.

25 boats entered; the entry perhaps down a little because of the light winds forecast. Given the wind (or lack of it!), the two ILCA4 entries decided to make a late swap into ILCA6 rigs, meaning that the entry was evenly split with 12 full ILCA 7 and 13 ILCA6 rigs. The home Club sailors made up the majority, but 7 visitors had travelled for the event. The format was three back-to back races. Separate starts were held for ILCA7 and ILCA6s.

The lightish early morning breeze gradually declined, and by the start of Race 1 was down to about 4 kts from the East. Race Officer John Aston set a trapezoid course. In the ILCA7 Standard rigs, Tim Matthews from the Home Club, with a new sail fresh out of the bag, led from the start to take line honours. Henry Redmond from Covenham took line honours in the ILCA6s from Joe Rowe (Draycote).

For the second race, the Race Officer reverted to a simple upwind/downwind course. Tim Matthews again led off the start and around the first mark, followed by Richard Major, also from the home club. Unfortunately, Tim forgot about the spacer mark, and Richard dutifully followed suit. By the time they had corrected their error they were down the fleet and had let John Elder (also Grafham) through into the lead.

Gill ILCA Midland Grand Prix at Grafham - photo © Paul Sanwell / OPP

On the second lap, the wind dropped from light to barely noticeable; with what little remained then going through 180 degrees. The fleet struggled on, on "fumes" and willpower, with John Elder holding on to win and Richard Major recovering to take second place. The ILCA6 fleet showed a greater facility at sailing in next to no wind, with the leaders overtaking all of the standards. Henry Redmond was again the winner, with Joe Rowe (Draycote) again taking second spot.

By the time all boats had finished Race 2 the wind was non-existent from the West, and some competitors were wondering whether there was any chance of further sailing. However, patience was rewarded; after about 20 minutes a very light breeze filled in from the North East; not much but sufficient to race. Again, the Race Officer set an upwind/downwind course.

In the full rigs, Michael Parker was quickest to spot the strong left shift on the first beat and led around the first mark. Richard Major was however in pursuit and eventually overhauled Michael to take first place at the line. By the time the ILCA6 fleet started the wind had shifted back and they enjoyed a truer first beat. The wind held, albeit light true, and Joe Rowe eventually took line honours from Freddie Sunderland, also from Draycote.

Richard Major won the ILCA 7 fleet at the Gill ILCA Midland Grand Prix at Grafham - photo © Paul Sanwell / OPP

Final results in the ILCA7s saw Richard Major the winner, counting a first and a second, with Michael Parker second and Tim Matthews third, all from Grafham. In contrast, the ILCA6 fleet was a clean sweep for the visitors, with Henry Redmond the winner (counting two first places) from Joe Rowe and Freddie Sunderland (both Draycote).

More photographs of the event can be viewed at 8573832.tifmember.com

Henry Redmond won the ILCA 6 fleet at the Gill ILCA Midland Grand Prix at Grafham - photo © Paul Sanwell / OPP

ILCA 6 Results:

ILCA 7 Results: