Please select your home edition
Edition
Zhik 2024 December

ILCA 6 Women's and ILCA 7 Men's World Championships 2025 at Qingdao - Day 4

by Frankie Zheng / ILCA 15 May 15:21 BST 10-17 May 2025

The fourth day of the ILCA World Championships began with cautious optimism but ended in yet another abandonment. Qingdao saw its first high tide at 6:00 a.m. (4.0m), low tide at 12:43 p.m. (1.3m), and a second high at 5:40 p.m. (3.9m). Light easterly winds persisted throughout the day at around 5 knots. Though the skies remained dry, thick fog crept in from the sea, casting a familiar shadow over the entire racecourse.

At 10:30 a.m., D flags were raised across all course areas, and competitors launched into a fleeting southerly breeze that briefly peaked at 13 knots—finally, a hint of potential racing. But that glimmer of hope quickly dissipated.

Heavy fog returned from the south, choking off what little wind remained. At 11:17 a.m., AP over H was hoisted. The fleet was towed back to shore once again, for yet another stretch of waiting.

By now, after four consecutive days without racing, the toll was visible. Fatigue, frustration, and disappointment hung thick in the air—almost as heavy as the fog on the water.

"We're ready. We've been ready," one sailor murmured. "But nature doesn't bend to our will."

Fog Lingers, and So Does the Waiting

?At 1:12 p.m., D flags were hoisted again. Athletes regrouped and returned to the water. By 2:05 p.m., the Orange flag went up—preparation started for a possible start. For a moment, it looked as though the race might finally begin.

Then, AP was hoisted again. Visibility had dropped sharply. On the starting line, boats at the windward end could no longer see those at the pin end. Finally, AP over A was signalled: racing was officially abandoned for the fourth day in a row.

The announcement landed with a dull thud, extinguishing the last flickers of anticipation.

As locals often say, Qingdao's Olympic harbor carries a certain magic. Even typhoons seem to steer around it. Perhaps this bay is protected by some unseen force. But sailors don't come here to be protected—they come to be challenged. Calm seas do not make skilled sailors.

Voices from the Fleet | Staying the Course in the Stillness

Chiara Benini Floriani (ITA) - ILCA 6 : Fresh off a win in Hyères last month after a fifth-place finish at the Paris Olympics, Chiara reflected, "Qingdao is such an incredible place. The current is strong, the wind is light, and there's often fog. It's really demanding. I try to stay sharp and keep a fresh mindset. Even without racing, the mental drain is real. I'm hoping we'll get one or two proper windy days—strong wind brings out the best in me."

Nicholas Halliday (HKG) - ILCA 7 : A 2024 Olympian and winner of the latest Sailing Grand Slam in Hyeres, Nicholas said, "These past few days have been tough—we've just been drifting out there. When the start line doesn't open, I run mini-races with my teammates, or do upwind drills to stay sharp. Even without racing, I'm trying to stay positive. We've had good laughs on shore. After this, I'm heading to Qinhuangdao for the Asian Championships—hopefully, with better wind."

Reflections from Day 4 | Growth Through Stillness

Four straight days without a single start. It may be a record in ILCA Worlds history—but it's also part of what makes sailing a sport like no other.

Sailors have launched and towed their boats out, rigged and unrigged their sails, day after day, with no racing in sight. But they haven't stopped. In the stillness, they've trained their minds. In the waiting, they've strengthened their resolve.

The adrenaline may have dimmed, but their commitment hasn't. They're not waiting on miracles—they're preparing for opportunity. When the wind does come, they'll be ready.

As the saying goes: "Yesterday is history, tomorrow a mystery, today a gift."

They're doing everything they can to honor that gift.

Finally, a Forecast with Promise — First Start Scheduled for 9:00 a.m. tomorrow. It's the first real spark in days—a signal of renewal after the fog.

May tonight bring rest, and may tomorrow bring wind. The page is turning. The fleet is ready.

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