ILCA 6 Women's and ILCA 7 Men's World Championships 2025 at Qingdao - Day 2
by Host / ILCA 13 May 2025 15:20 BST
10-17 May 2025
The second day of qualification at the ILCA World Championships brought stillness rather than sail. With calm seas and motionless air, the day became a test of patience, resilience, and focus for all competitors.
According to the tidal chart, low tide occurred at 11:18 (1.44m), with high tide at 17:11 (3.75m). The forecast had predicted a southwesterly breeze ranging from 6 to 15 knots, with gusts up to 20 knots. Cloudy skies, good visibility, and no rainfall appeared to promise a productive day of racing—but conditions on the water told a different story.
No Wind, But Racing Spirit Persists
Three qualification races had been scheduled, but wind conditions never reached the minimum threshold required for competition.
At 10:30, the AP flag was hoisted for the ILCA 7 course, signalling a postponement. By 10:45, the ILCA 6 fleet also raised the AP flag ashore. With barely a ripple on the surface, sailors and coaches were left in limbo.
Life Between Races, The Discipline of Waiting
A windless day doesn't mean an idle one.
Sailors gathered by their boats—cleaning foils, fine-tuning rigging, and discussing tactics.
Some meditated, others jogged around the marina to stay loose. A few simply sat on deck, eyes scanning the horizon for the slightest sign of breeze.
In sailing, waiting is a discipline. It teaches humility before nature, reinforces mental composure, and nurtures love for the sport—even in stillness.
Athlete Perspectives: Staying Calm, Staying Ready
Zoe Thomson (Australia) - ILCA 6
Fresh off her victory at last month's Trofeo Princesa Sofía Trophy, Zoe also represented Australia at the Paris Olympic Games.
Reflecting on yesterday's conditions, she shared: "The wind was really tricky—there was a full 90 minutes of nothing. I think the fog prevented it from coming in. Later a light breeze showed up and everyone got excited, but it disappeared again... Hopefully tomorrow we can finally get racing."
Finn Lynch (Ireland) - ILCA 7
Returning to Qingdao for the first time since the 2016 Sailing World Cup, Finn described a frustrating start: "There was a bit of wind when we first launched, but toward the end of the first downwind leg, the race had to be abandoned—the breeze just vanished near the leeward mark."
Still, he remained philosophical: "You can't control the weather. Just turn the page and start again tomorrow."
On handling the long wait, he added: "A lot of people were feeling seasick. I just kept telling myself, 'I'm not seasick.' It really helps—mind over matter."
Finn has dealt with strong tides in Dublin and The Hague, but said Qingdao brings a unique challenge: "The current here is different. You really have to adjust to it."
The Wind Didn't Come, But Hope Remains
13:27 - AP flags ashore were lowered and a minute later the D flags for A and B courses were displayed. Fleets began heading out, hopeful for a late breeze.
Around 15:00, a dense fog rolled in from the south, further suppressing wind while building swell. With a strong spring tide (16th day of the lunar cycle), the current intensified—pushing boats slowly back toward shore soon after they launched.
Over the radio, ILCA Class Course Representative Sandy urged patience: "Please bear with us—we're continuing to monitor for any improvement in wind."
By 16:00, wind speed still hovered around 6 to 7 knots but with the strong current — not sufficient for a fair race.
At 16:15, both ILCA 6 and ILCA 7 courses raised the AP over A signal. Racing was officially abandoned for the day.
Ironically, just minutes later, a light breeze finally brushed the water's surface—a teasing gesture from nature, too late to act on.
There were no complaints, sailors quietly lowered sails, packed gear, and began preparing for tomorrow. They've been here before. This is sailing. Reset, refocus, and wait for the wind to return.