Ovington ILCA National Open 5 at Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy

The numbers tell the story: 182 entries across three fleets, over 60 volunteers running operations from 18 RIBs, 15-25 knot winds with gusts to 28 knots, and substantial bay swell — the fifth ILCA National Open at Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy delivered big fleet racing in challenging Weymouth Bay conditions.

ILCA UK's National Open meetings, previously known as Qualifiers, continue to draw impressive entries testing sailors at the highest level. Following 183 competitors at National Open 4 the previous weekend, National Open 5 saw 70 sailors in ILCA 4, 81 in ILCA 6, and 31 in ILCA 7 compete. The events attract sailors from across the spectrum—from those transitioning from ILCA 4 to ILCA 6, through to British Sailing Team athletes, and international competitors including Irish sailors Eve and Ewan McMahon and Bermudian Adriana Penruddocke.

Race Officer James 'Heinzy' Hynes and his race management team orchestrated proceedings while Brett Lewis coordinated the 18 RIBs on the water. Shore-side teams managed tally systems, launching and recovery to keep operations running smoothly. On-site support from title sponsor Ovington, along with Rooster and Sailingfast, ensured any equipment issues could be quickly resolved.

Saturday delivered a proper test: the ILCA 6 and 7 fleets faced 15-25 knots from the south-east with rolling swell, while the ILCA 4s launched into full-on conditions averaging 22 knots with gusts to 28 knots. The forecast for Sunday exceeded safe limits, forcing cancellation and leaving Saturday's results to stand with no discards—a twist that caught out several sailors but added intensity to the day's racing.

ILCA UK deployed TracTrac GPS tracking for the ILCA 6 fleet (following its use for ILCA 4 and 7 at National Open 4), providing precise race data accessible at tractrac.com for sailors to review their performance against race leaders. The popular 'Ovi Insights' debrief session, led by British Sailing Team ILCA 6 sailors Hannah Snellgrove and Matilda Nicholls, attracted a strong crowd eager to learn from the top performers.

Ovington ILCA National Open 5 at Weymouth - photo © Lotte Johnson / www.lottejohnson.com

ILCA 4 Fleet - 70 Entries by Felix Harle

The ILCA 4 fleet kicked off with an impressive 70 entries, with many sailors making their transition into the ILCA class. Racing took place in the bay with full-on conditions—a strong south-easterly averaging 22 knots and gusting to 28 knots brought big swell and rolling waves.

Race 1 got under way with everyone pulling their controls on to the limit. Thomas Semmens started his day strongly with a first-place finish, followed by Chloe Grayton in second and Ava Harris-Scott in third. These three battled closely throughout the event, delivering incredibly tight racing.

The downwind legs were a mix of pure exhilaration and sheer terror—catching the massive waves sent boats flying downwind at high speed but also carried the ever-present risk of a pitchpole or death roll, as many sailors unfortunately discovered! The gate marks added another layer of decision-making: risk the gybe or take the safe option?

Upwind, it was all about brute strength and determination—driving through fatigue and leg burn while keeping the boat balanced and connected to the water. Keeping the hull in contact with the waves was crucial to avoid slamming and losing speed.

In Race 2, Henry Moss showed excellent pace upwind, finishing just ahead of Thomas, with Ava close behind in third. Thomas returned to the top spot in the third race, with Henry putting in another good showing in second and Chloe in third.

With day two cancelled due to strong wind forecasts and no discard available, Saturday's results stood as final placings—a situation that caught out a few sailors, but everyone agreed it was an exciting and intense day of racing.

Ovington ILCA National Open 5 at Weymouth - photo © Lotte Johnson / www.lottejohnson.com

ILCA 6 Fleet - 81 Entries by Adriana Penruddocke

An 81-strong ILCA 6 fleet spanning a range of abilities—from sailors transitioning from ILCA 4 to ILCA 6 all the way to the British Sailing Team—competed in a single fleet, providing the opportunity for everyone to race everyone in a large fleet.

Saturday showed 15-20 knot south-easterly breeze and the race committee proceeded with racing in the bay. The bay provided some nice swell along with the stronger wind conditions. Conditions for the day proved that with good boat speed and clear starts you would be able to get away clean and sail your own race. It was important to keep in phase with the shifts as the pressure was moving slowly in its phases.

Race 1: A clear start where Hannah Snellgrove dominated the first beat on the right-hand side with Matilda Nicholls from the left and Irish sailor Eve McMahon close behind in the top three battle. The right side of the course seemed to be the favoured side with the shift, but Matilda showed that with good boat speed and using the shifts, coming back from either side would result in a top-three positioning.

Race 2: Similar conditions prevailed with the right shift and boat speed being key themes. Daisy Collingridge came out from the right first with Hannah Snellgrove and Eve McMahon close behind.

Race 3: This race showed that it was important to stay in phase with the shifts as Adriana Penruddocke came out on top from the left with good boat speed, playing it simple when to come back. Adriana was able to hold this lead throughout the whole race ahead of Hannah Snellgrove and Eve McMahon.

Day two was unfortunately cancelled due to excessive wind.

Ovington ILCA National Open 5 at Weymouth - photo © Lotte Johnson / www.lottejohnson.com

ILCA 7 Fleet - 31 Entries by James Percival-Cooke

The ILCA 7 fleet was treated to classic Weymouth Bay conditions—a 15-25 knot south-easterly breeze and a rolling, wavy sea state that made for exciting, high-powered racing.

With three races scheduled for the opening day, sailors launched into fresh conditions and steep waves that rewarded strong boat handling and smart tactical calls.

Race 1 saw Fin Dickinson and Ewan McMahon, visiting from Ireland, capitalise on an early left-hand shift up the first beat to establish a comfortable lead. The pair maintained control throughout, with Fin taking the win ahead of Ewan, while Elliot Hanson claimed third.

In Race 2, Micky Beckett and Hanson established themselves early at the front of the fleet. Both had a tight-knit battle which saw Beckett take the win, with Hanson close behind in second and James Percival-Cooke rounding out the top three.

Race 3 brought even tighter racing. Percival-Cooke led early, but a split up the second beat between Hanson and Beckett created a hard situation to defend. Hanson's decision to head left paid off as he rounded the final windward mark in the lead, while Beckett surfed past Percival-Cooke on a well-timed wave to snatch second at the finish.

Ovington ILCA National Open 5 at Weymouth - photo © Lotte Johnson / www.lottejohnson.com

Closing Thanks

A huge thank you goes to the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy, Race Officer James 'Heinzy' Hynes and the race committee, Brett Lewis,Chief Safety Officer and the 54 volunteers who made this event possible. Special thanks to title sponsor Ovington, along with Rooster and Sailingfast for their on-site support as well as Class sponsors Noble Marine Insurance, Tideway Wealth, Fernhurst Books and South East Sailboats.

The ILCA UK programme now shifts to Draycote Water SC for the Noble Marine Inland National Championships on 1st/2nd November. Entries are open at portal.ilca.uk/event/2025-Inlands

Ovington ILCA National Open 5 at Weymouth - photo © Lotte Johnson / www.lottejohnson.com

ILCA 4 Results:

ILCA 6 Results:

ILCA 7 Results:

Ovington ILCA National Open 5 at Weymouth - photo © Lotte Johnson / www.lottejohnson.com