Noble Marine & Ovington ILCA Autumn Qualifier (Q5) at Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy

The second autumn qualifier (Qualifier 5) took place at WPNSA with the 162 entries, across three fleets, welcomed by the autumnal feeling we all know too well. Breeze from the Northern sector on both days provided a chilly and shifty weekend for the 32-strong ILCA 7 fleet filled with Masters sailors, for whom it was also a qualifier.

Race 1

Day one's racing was sailed in a 10-15knt North Westerly in Weymouth Bay, where with the wind coming off the town, shifts were a consistent inconsistent. Oliver Allen-Wilcox displayed his sailing brain and alongside Norman Struthers led for much of the first beat before Alastair Brown pipped them to the first windward mark. Brown would go onto hold his lead, with Struthers and James Foster completing the top three. James Curtis put in a strong performance to finish 6th. Top 3 Masters were Simon Hardiman - 12th, Chris Ellyatt - 14th and Alan Davis 16th.

Race 2

Race two was a little delayed due to a big right shift pre-start but got under way when the breeze settled down back to its' original direction. The delay allowed the true temperature of the day to be felt and, for myself at least, caused some serious cramping later in race 2. Alan Davis came off the line fast, showing the younger lads how to make their boats go quick. Brown got a favourable rightie on his final approach to the windward mark and rounded first with Struthers and Foster in pursuit, the order was the same at the finish. Top 3 Masters were Alan Davis 5th, Alex Davey 13th and David Casale 14th.

UKLA ILCA Autumn Qualifier (Q5) at Weymouth & Portland - photo © Lotte Johnson / www.lottejohnson.com

Race 3

Race three saw the top three finishing in the same order once again but a long-tack port course created a drag race to the first windward. Struthers was the fastest, leading at the first windward, followed by Brown and Foster. A battle of upwind vs downwind speed followed with Brown overtaking Struthers each downwind and Struthers returning the favour when they turned upwind. Struthers was pipped at the last leeward mark by Brown with Foster coming across in third. Top 3 Masters were Alex Davey 8th, Chris Ellyatt 12th and Alan Davis 13th.

Race 4

Day two had the fleet racing in Portland harbour in a 5-10knt NEasterly. Today was about balancing the shifts provided by Weymouth Town and the big picture of a little thermal occasionally dragging the breeze right. Race one felt shift dominated and Brown used them to reach the windward mark first, a position in which he would finish. Taking advantage of the righties was Ewan McAnally and Freddie Howarth who would go on to have their best results, a 2nd and 3rd respectively. Top 3 Masters were Alan Davis 10th, Alex Davey 13th and Simon Harriman 14th.

UKLA ILCA Autumn Qualifier (Q5) at Weymouth & Portland - photo © Lotte Johnson / www.lottejohnson.com

Race 5

Race five felt like a cross over between the shift dominated race 4 and what would be a permanent right shift dominated race 6. Angus Kemp understood the conditions best and sailed himself to a clear victory, Foster nailed the call of which leeward gate to choose and banked a second. With the middle painful and either side good on the second beat Tim Evans made the correct decisions scoring himself a 3rd. Top 3 Master were Alan Davis 8th, Guy Noble 14th and Alex Davey 15th.

Race 6

Race six was dominated by a permanent right shift. Brown won the boat end of the line and held for much of the first beat. He was beaten to the first windward by Nick Welbourn who took a little more of the rightie. Brown and Allen-Wilcox overtook Welbourn on the first downwind and finished in that order. Top 3 Masters were Alan Davis 5th Alex Davey 8th and Guy Noble 16th.

A huge thank you from the ILCA 7 sailors to the team of volunteers and RO Paul Jackson who consistently give up their time for us to have fun.

Also we must thank UKLA's terrific sponsors for their continuing support at the qualifiers. Many have been supporting us over many years through difficult times... thank you. Noble Marine, Ovington, Sailingfast and Rooster.

The final autumn qualifier is the same time and place next week!

UKLA ILCA Autumn Qualifier (Q5) at Weymouth & Portland - photo © Lotte Johnson / www.lottejohnson.com

ILCA 7 Results:

UKLA ILCA Autumn Qualifier (Q5) at Weymouth & Portland - photo © Lotte Johnson / www.lottejohnson.com