Great experience for Performance Academy sailors at ILCA 4 and 7 Worlds in Viana, Portugal
by Jacob Tyson 11 Jul 2024 15:56 BST
Regatta Recap: ILCA 4 Fleet
This year the ILCA 4 World Championships hosted in Viana, Do Castelo, Portugal, saw 22
Performance Academy sailors compete. Joined by coaches Charlie Linsell, Ali Young, and
James Parker-Mowbray, many were competing on the international stage for the first time.
After spending two and a half weeks at a pre-event, the ILCA 4s competed against sailors
from across the globe, as well as some tricky conditions.
Situated on the west coast of Portugal, Vianna is known for Atlantic conditions with
traditionally thermal wind in the afternoon ranging from 15-20 knots. However due to sea
fog, three racing days from the championships were lost, "I hadn't been in that thick fog with
that number of sailors before," said Performance Academy Manager James Parker-
Mowbray.
Despite some difficult days, overall, the championships proved to be a fantastic few weeks,
with four of the GBR boys making it through to the gold fleet, and two of the GBR girls also hitting
the gold fleet.
Congratulations to GBR sailor Leo Yates, who finished 7th on the leader board. The best
British boy result in ILCA 4s since 2005. Another great success came from both Toby
Waggett and Jess Powell who found themselves in the top 20 for the Under 16's, with Jess
finishing 14th, and Toby 15th in what was both their first ever ILCA 4 World Championships.
"For lots of our sailors it was their first regatta internationally, which is a huge learning
experience, and they're going to come out of it with such a rich experience they can build
upon moving forward," Head Coach, Charlie Linsell.
The time in Vianna isn't over just yet, as it is playing host to back-to-back world
championships, with Performance Academy now supporting the ILCA 7s.
As for the ILCA 4s, they have some time to rest and get back training, before they turn their
attention to the upcoming British Nationals in August.
Regatta Recap: ILCA 7 Fleet
After playing host to the ILCA 4 World Championships, Viana Do Castelo, Portugal quickly
turned its attentions to ILCA 7s, as the Performance Academy was represented by 11 sailors
at this year's World Championships.
Event organisers Prow Group did a fantastic job, as a full series of races was completed
perfectly to schedule, with Vianna showcasing big waves and better wind than previously
for the ILCA 4s.
The under 21 fleet of ILCA 7s had "a very good week of sailing and a great learning
experience", said Charlie Linsell, Head Coach, as one sailor made it into the gold fleet with
the rest in silver.
Performance Academy Manager James Parker-Mowbray had high praise for the venue:
"there were really great conditions that came through, and I look forward to returning at
some point in the future."
This marks the end of the time in Portugal for the Performance Academy after spending
over three weeks out there.