ILCA Women's Coaching Programme at King George Sailing Club - Powering Through the Friction
by Abi Woodman 9 Aug 13:45 BST
ILCA Women's Coaching Weekend at King George SC with SailingFast and Wildwind © Lotte Johnson /
www.lottejohnson.com
In dinghy sailing, friction is the enemy of control. Trying to muscle an ILCA downhaul in 27 knots using an old, unloved club boat's 2:1 system is a losing battle; the physical resistance simply blocks the sailor from depowering the rig. The answer is simple: you need a high-quality 8:1 downhaul with reduced friction.
The ILCA Women's Coaching Programme takes the exact same approach to the barriers holding female sailors back. Rather than going through the motions or talking about change, the Programme is designed to remove the friction entirely — both on the deck and in the mind.
This philosophy of direct action was out in full force on Sunday 26th July at King George Sailing Club (KGSC), where a tight-knit squad of five met a heavy-weather day head-on.
Originally scheduled for 27th June, Lead Coach Georgina Povall made the pragmatic call to postpone the initial date due to 36°C heat and lightning threats. But Georgina's drive, alongside the energy of KGSC organiser Abi Woodman, ensured the clinic was rescheduled a month later. Renowned ILCA Coach Eve Kennedy stepped up to run the day, supported by Abi Woodman from KGSC and member Mick Keates who jumped on the safety boat knowing how busy it was going to be.
From the moment the boats hit the water, the physical friction was eliminated. Programme sponsor Sailingfast have taken the initiative to remove the friction from club boats, supplying full sets of top-grade rigging to the Programme and making every boat sailable whatever the weather. A high-performance 8:1 downhaul meant every sailor had the mechanical advantage needed to pull the cringle down to the gooseneck and keep the boats sailing.
With the kit doing its job, the coaching focused on removing the mental friction: the self-imposed weight of the "perfectionism trap" and the external pressure of a traditionally aggressive club-racing environment.
"Weekend club racing is often perceived as a shouty, intimidating space, which acts as a total block for many female helms," Eve Kennedy noted, drawing on her experience coaching national ILCA and Topper women's fleets. "When younger female coaches face condescension or are talked over in mixed environments, it filters down. Creating a dedicated, all-female training space allows sailors to drop their guard, make mistakes, and build genuine confidence."
The strong, sweeping gusts on the triangle-sausage course put everyone a little out of their comfort zone from the start, with regular capsizes in all directions — exactly the confidence-building the group had asked for. Every capsize was met the same way: no fuss, no judgement. Sailors righted their rigs, dusted themselves down, and hurtled straight back into the breeze.
An early lunch and video analysis allowed Eve to break the course down into isolated mark-rounding drills, using relentless repetition to overwrite old habits. By afternoon, the squad was controlled, fast, and hiking hard.
The physical toll of the day was undeniable, but the cultural breakthrough was clearer. As participant Holly Winship put it: "I left KGSC tired and aching but thoroughly satisfied."
Further Women's Coaching Events are scheduled at Grafham Water SC on 10th October and Queen Mary SC on 24th October. Keep an eye on the ILCA Calendar for further details. The programme is expanding across the country. If your club would be interested in hosting a Women's Coaching Event, email
Our thanks go to Eve Kennedy, Georgina Povall, Abi Woodman, and Mick Keates for an exceptional clinic, and to Sailingfast and Wildwind for their vital, ongoing sponsorship of the programme.