Please select your home edition
Edition
P&B
Product Feature
RS Feva
RS Feva

ILCA UK Midlands Grand Prix at Chelmarsh Sailing Club

by John Dickinson 10 Oct 2024 10:44 BST 28 September 2024

On Saturday 28th September fourteen sailors gathered at Chelmarsh Sailing Club, in Shropshire for the ILCA UK Midlands Grand Prix, including five helms from the home fleet.

The forecast - a light and dying south westerly promised a challenge for both helms and the race management team.

PRO Mat Thursfield and his team, provided courtesy of the the Chelmarsh Supernova Fleet, made the very best of the conditions, ensuring that the playing field was as level and interesting as possible - setting challenging courses and delivering excellent race management.

Given the promise of fading breeze the first two races were sailed back to back. Race 1 was dominated by John Ling (Bartley SC) who managed to find breeze where most others floundered, sailing away to a comfortable win, second was Paul Keeling (Blithfield SC) and third Christine Burnham (Attenborough/Burton SC).

Race 2 followed a similar pattern with many place changes in the lower orders. Nilesh Parekh (Chelmarsh SC) chased and sometimes led his club compatriots in his first open meeting, posting a clear indication of more to come! Aimee Evans (Chelmarsh SC) the youngest entrant and new to sailing and the class, in her first open meeting, chased hard and was never far from the pack. Her final placing totally belied what was without question an outstanding performance. John Ling took line honours followed by Paul Keeling and Steven Thomas (Bartley SC).

Lunch was outstanding - provided by Linda Thursfield and Lesley Dickinson, the cake almost wrote off the third race - few were willing to walk away from it and return to the water!

Race three provided a small upset, John Ling having to forgo his usual winning gun, second would have to do. Paul Keeling took line honours and third was Dean Jung (Midlands SC).

John Ling had kindly returned the winners trophy from last year although he could have saved himself the effort, it was his again, I believe he's had a cabinet made for it!

Paul Keeling was second followed by Dean Jung.

Christine Burnham from a high point of 3rd maintained a good average and was first lady and 5th overall. Robyn Taylor (TrimpleySC) was first Junior - and by default first Radial, chasing hard and finishing a very creditable 8th in the final race. Will Ranson led the home fleet scoring very consistently and finishing 8th overall.

A great if not wildly exciting days sailing was had by all thanks were expressed to Mat and his race team - and Lesley and Linda in the Galley who were also turning out to cater for the Supernova Open the following day!

Overall Results:

PosSail NoClubHelmR1R2R3Pts
1st219662Bartley SCJohn Ling11‑22
2nd108827Blithfield SCPaul Keeling‑2213
3rd165490Midlands SCDean Jung‑4437
4th165537Bartley SCSteven Thomas‑5347
5th182627Attenborough\Burton SCChristine Statham3‑769
6th222774Trent Valley SCBen Richardson‑66511
7th186067Midland SCAlex Homer‑95712
8th174848Chelmarsh SCWill Ranson78‑915
9th191760South Cerney SCSam Dickinson8‑111119
10th213639Chelmarsh SCJohn Dickinson‑1091019
11th123939Trimpley SCRobyn Taylor (ILCA 6)‑1414822
12th207355Chelmarsh SCJulian Talbot1210(DNS)22
13th209912Chelmarsh SCNilesh Perekh1112‑1323
14th127502Chelmarsh SCAimee Evans‑13131225

Related Articles

Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta day 3
Mother Nature teases the competitors Mother Nature teased the competitors today and made them wait a bit, but she did not disappoint; the sun came out and a big westerly built to 18-20 knots! Posted today at 5:22 pm
Excellent Olympic Season Openers for GP Watercraft
Bermudan ILCA sailors enjoy a strong start to the season! The first two Olympic events of 2025 proved a very positive start to the season for GP Watercraft and their Bermudan ILCA sailors: Sebastian Kempe (ILCA 7) and Adriana Penruddocke (ILCA 6) who are both coached by Shaun Priestley of GP Watercraft. Posted today at 11:00 am
Laserfest at Whitstable
Event attracts entries from as far as Yorkshire Laserfest, Whitstable Yacht Club's celebration of Laser/ILCA racing took place last weekend with a strong entry of 40 boats. Laserfest o attracted entries from as far as Yorkshire together with a range of more local clubs. Posted today at 6:37 am
Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta day 2
Classic Long Beach conditions return The weather conditions at the Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta shifted noticeably today, delivering the classic Long Beach breeze that many expect from this world-class venue. Posted on 14 Jul
ILCAs at Notts County
With complementary watermelon for after-racing hydration A lovely warm and sunny day greeted 26 ILCA sailors at Notts County Sailing Club on 12th of July 2025. The wind was from a steady light south east breeze with occasional 14 mph gusts. Posted on 14 Jul
2025 Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta kicks off
The first week of the OCR includes five Olympic classes The highly anticipated 2025 Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta officially commenced on Saturday, 12 July, marking the beginning of Olympic campaigns since the venues were announced. Posted on 14 Jul
Australian sailors take to Olympic waters
Regatta serves as an important test, not just for sailors, but also for organisers The Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta is set to get begin, marking the first major combined event on the waters of the LA 2028 Olympic Games. Posted on 12 Jul
Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta 2025 Preview
The fourth stop of the five series Sailing Grand Slam circuit Over 200 elite athletes from 42 nations have converged on Long Beach to test their skills on the same waters that will host sailing events during the LA2028 Olympic Games as they compete in the Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta July 12-20 Posted on 12 Jul
The Long Laser Lunch – a reunion to remember
Sailors from every state reunited over lunch like it was just another regatta weekend. Last month 93 Laser sailors from across the country gathered at the Royal Prince Alfred Yacht Club for what became a truly unforgettable reunion. Posted on 11 Jul
20 Canadians set for Long Beach Grand Slam Event
The Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta will be held July 12-20 20 Canadian sailors will take part in the fourth and next-to-last event of the 2025 Sailing Grand Slam Series, the Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta, to be held July 12-20 at one of the two Olympic venues for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. Posted on 10 Jul