Please select your home edition
Edition
Musto 2023 Hikers LEADERBOARD

ILCA 6 Women's and ILCA 7 Men's World Championships 2025 at Qingdao - Day 2

by Host / ILCA 13 May 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.

Related Articles

2025 ILCA Senior Europeans Preview
Marstrand Set to Welcome the World's Best he countdown has begun for one of the most anticipated sailing events of the year: the 2025 ILCA Senior European Championships & Open European Trophy, taking place in Marstrand, Sweden, from August 9–16. Posted on 27 Jul
North ILCA UK circuit at Pennine
A great leveller between the ILCA 6 and ILCA 7 Ten visitors spanning from Carsington to West Kirby joined sixteen club members for the Pennine Sailing Club ILCA open, which also formed part of the ILCA UK North Grand Prix series. Posted on 16 Jul
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 on 15 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 EurILCA Europa Cup at Warnemünde overall
Favourable conditions on the final day for the 302 sailors from 32 countries The 2025 EurILCA Europa Cup GER concluded yesterday after four days of competition in Warnemünde, Germany. Favourable sailing conditions allowed all 302 sailors from 32 countries to enjoy the final two races in the ILCA 4, ILCA 6, and ILCA 7 classes. Posted on 9 Jul
2025 EurILCA Europa Cup at Warnemünde Day 3
Ole Schweckendiek leads ILCA 7 fleet into the final day The third and penultimate day of racing at the 2025 EurILCA Europa Cup GER concluded yesterday in Warnemünde, Germany, with two new races completed by all fleets, except for the ILCA 6 silver group, which managed to complete only one. Posted on 8 Jul
2025 EurILCA Europa Cup at Warnemünde Day 2
Sometimes there's only a second between triumph and a premature start Sometimes there's only a second between triumph and a premature start — a reality that many ILCA 7 sailors faced on the second day of the 2025 EurILCA Europa Cup GER, held during the Warnemünder Woche. Posted on 7 Jul
2025 EurILCA Europa Cup at Warnemünde Day 1
A total of 302 sailors from 32 countries are competing in the ILCA 4, ILCA 6, and ILCA 7 classes The seventh regatta of the 2025 EurILCA Europa Cup Trophy kicked off yesterday in Warnemünde, Germany, with the first two races. A total of 302 sailors from 32 countries are competing in the ILCA 4, ILCA 6, and ILCA 7 classes. Posted on 6 Jul
ILCA UK Women's Regatta Weekend at Rutland
A stunning weekend for training, racing, yoga, a rules talk and friendship A stunning weekend of warm, sunny weather awaited 24 women and girls and their boats looking for training, racing, yoga, a rules talk and friendship. Posted on 4 Jul
Northern ILCA circuit at Rudyard Lake
Gritted teeth, hard hiking and several capsizes Rudyard Lake Sailing Club held the latest round of the Northern ILCA circuit with eleven ILCA sailors on Saturday 28th June. Posted on 3 Jul