Rooster ILCA South Regional Youth Series event 2 at Paignton Sailing Club

Rooster ILCA South Regional Youth Series event 2 at Paignton © Tom Wild Photography

The second instalment of the Rooster ILCA South Regional Youth series was hosted by Paignton Sailing Club (PSC) over the weekend of 29th and 30th August. Having promised glorious sunshine and English Riveria 'après sail' fun, the forecast looked grim.

With the region spanning from Dover to Penzance, Torbay is a significant drive for many, and when on Thursday afternoon, it became obvious racing on Saturday looked unlikely, PSC abandoned Saturday and rescheduled Sunday to a one-day four-race event to try to minimize wasted travel and accommodation costs.

Rooster ILCA South Regional Youth Series event 2 at Paignton - photo © Tom Wild Photography

For a few who did turn up on Saturday, PSC sent out a safety RIB to allow a few intrepid sailors to go for a strong wind training session.

Race day dawned with another breezy day forecast, with a few deciding the journey was not worthwhile for one day or simply put off by the full on forecast. The RC set racing off on time with a plan to sail 4 races before the weather really kicked in. The theme for the day was track the black clouds. The base wind of around 14 kts at 220 degrees was heavily influenced by the big rolling clouds bringing 20 degree shifts either side of the axis and gusts into the mid-20s.

Rooster ILCA South Regional Youth Series event 2 at Paignton - photo © Tom Wild Photography

With ILCA 4s, 6s and 7s all starting together to maximise bigger fleet start line experience. Race 1 started reading the breeze was key. The ILCA 4s proving to be pretty much the same speed as the 6s at least upwind proving close racing all day. In the 6s Tom Semmens, took an early lead only to back the right hand gate expecting a left hand shift that never came.

Those that took the left fate gained and were inside the shift for the final beat, Amelia Gilboy also from Paignton read this to perfection to take the lead. By the end of the race Tom retook the lead, from Amelia.

Rooster ILCA South Regional Youth Series event 2 at Paignton - photo © Tom Wild Photography

In the 4s racing was super close. Daniel Riley will have rued not paying attention to the course diagram better as while battling for the lead to the finish, he let Frederick Seddon off the hook to take the race win.

Race 2 saw the clouds bring 25kts plus for a short while. In the 6s Amelia had to retire, having had a knock to the head, which was a real shame, as she was clearly competitive. George Reynolds took the role of competition for Tom who took the race win. In the 4s, Finley Rhodes took full advantage of the previous day's strong wind practice to control the race beating Daniel again in 2nd. 3rd place went to Charlie Mackenzie.

Sadly for Rio McNab, an unfortunate swim proved costly (both physically and metaphorically), as the rudder became disconnected and sunk, forcing an early end to his day.

Rooster ILCA South Regional Youth Series event 2 at Paignton - photo © Tom Wild Photography

Race 3 started in similar conditions to Race 2, and in the 6s, Tom, George and Tom Baker repeated their 1,2,3 from race 2. In the 4s, Daniel finally got his race win and took the lead in the series. Theodore Valantin also benefitting from the previous day's training took a well-earned 2nd from Frederick.

Race 4, meant a discard came into play. In the 6s, Tom proved he is fallible. With the wind slamming 20 degrees to the left, George stormed off into the lead, Tom hit the windward mark and in righting and doing his turn hit it again and then hurt his leg in the process. With the series won, Tom retired, while the mark laying team hurriedly set new change marks, George powered onto the win.

Rooster ILCA South Regional Youth Series event 2 at Paignton - photo © Tom Wild Photography

In the 4s only Frederick could catch Daniel for the event win, but he had to win the race. While Frederick did what he need to beat Daniel, Findlay put a spanner in the works to take the race win from Frederick and Daniel.

In the ILCA 7s, with the forecast it was no surprise the fleet was small, as it turned out Thomas Tantum nailed it, completing all four races to win the event, in what was challenging conditions for the 4s and 6s let alone sailing a 7 rig.

Overall in the 6s, Thomas Semmens took the win from George and Tom Baker 3rd. Amelia was first female. In the 4s only 1 point separated 1st to 3rd with Daniel squeezing the event win, from Findlay and Frederick. Victoria Wei won top female prize. Overall results are Sailwave results for ILCA South at Paignton Sailing Club 2026

Rooster ILCA South Regional Youth Series event 2 at Paignton - photo © Tom Wild Photography

Special mention to Jake Brian who won the sportsmanship prize, while launching some young sailors struggling with the gusty conditions, whilst Jake selflessly leaving his own boat in the process, very well done.

Thomas gave a good speech offering massive thanks to Paignton SC, the volunteers were all amazing. The mark layers were fantastic moving marks almost every leg to meet the shifting winds, the beach team helping recover at low water and free pasta after sailing went down extremely well.

Rooster ILCA South Regional Youth Series event 2 at Paignton - photo © Claire Rhodes

Finally, thanks to Rooster for sponsoring the ILCA Youth series throughout the UK, their support is extremely appreciated.

See current South region Youth series standings

The next event is a one-day open meeting at Island Barn Sailing Club on the 12th September. The series is very close so plenty to play for!

Rooster ILCA South Regional Youth Series event 2 at Paignton - photo © Tom Wild Photography

ICLA 4 Event Results:

ICLA 6 Event Results:

ICLA 7 Event Results:

1st - Thomas Tantam