UKLA Masters ILCA 6 & 4 Inland Championship 2023 at Grafham Water Sailing Club

Grafham hosted the 2023 ILCA 6 Masters Inlands over the weekend of October 28/29. The 32 competitors were treated to very mild weather for late October.

For the most part the wind was 5-14 knots from the south, rather shifty with plenty of holes. The PRO set three lap courses standard which made for interesting racing with more gain opportunities around the marks.

The left side of the beat was generally favoured with the gusts seeming to feed across from that side. Those who ventured right had to get their shifts spot on, but there were occasionally gains to be found.

ILCA 6 Masters Inlands at Grafham - photo © Lotte Johnson / www.lottejohnson.com

Jon Emmet quickly set out his stall by winning all three races on Saturday. Ian Jones was the most consistent of the chasing pack, recording two seconds and a third. Max Hunt managed to grab a 2nd in race three after catching a nice shift on the left of the final beat.

The rest of the chasing pack were tightly bunched leaving all to play for in the minor places on Sunday.

A very nice meal at the club on Saturday evening was followed by watching the rugby world cup final. Sunday's forecast was for more wind, but in the event, the first two races were very light, with pretty major holes to be found by the unsuspecting. Ian Jones managed to break the dominance of Jon Emmet with a fine win in race 4.

ILCA 6 Masters Inlands at Grafham - photo © Lotte Johnson / www.lottejohnson.com

In race 6 a good rain squall came across, and the fleet was finally treated to some hiking wind with gusts up to 15 knots. Jon proved the fastest downwind in these conditions and took the win followed by Steve Cockerill and Marshall King.

The final results were Jon Emmet (Master) first overall with 5 points (discarding a 2nd), Ian Jones (Grand Master) second overall on 10 points and the very consistent Steve Jackson (Apprentice) whose counting results were all between 3 and 5, finishing third on 20 points. In the Grand Master category, Ian Jones was first, Marshall King second, and Stephen Cockerill third. Sarah Cockerill was first lady and 8th overall, and David Binding was first Great Grand Master.

ILCA 6 Masters Inlands at Grafham - photo © Lotte Johnson / www.lottejohnson.com

There were several notable performances including Glyn Purnell - 5th in R5. GGM and Michael Kinnear - Legend 6th in R6.

ILCA4

Although competitors expected strong winds that never materialised, the much appreciated option to switch rigs wasn't taken up. So the ILCA4 fleet was somewhat depleted - very obligingly, the entry raced with the ILCA6s. Congratulations to Ann Brand who is now Masters ILCA4 National Inland Champion. If you are reading this, over 30 and sail an ILCA4 please come and join in next years Masters events.

ILCA 4 Masters Inlands at Grafham - photo © Lotte Johnson / www.lottejohnson.com

A massive thank you to our sponsors who provided such generous prizes for this event: Ovington Boats, Rooster, Sailingfast, Noble Marine, and Southeast Sailboats.

Finally we'd like to thank all the great people at Grafham Water Sailing Club for making the weekend so enjoyable. As usual the very efficient and sensible race team led by Nigel Denchfield put on 6 top quality races - Thank you.

UKLA

Looking back over the season we are again extremely grateful to all the volunteers that help make the ILCA Masters so successful. Most the sailors can enjoy the racing without helping but as time goes on it is only fair that at some point they too lend a hand to make these events happen. The Masters are still looking for a Masters Rep or reps (it's a job easily shared) please contact Ellie. . if you think you can help in any way.

Overall Results: