Island Barn Reservoir Sailing Club ILCA Open

Island Barn Reservoir Sailing Club ILCA Open © Alfredo O-Aguilera

Incorporating the ILCA South Region Regional Youth Series and Thames Valley Grand Prix

The third event in the Rooster sponsored ILCA South Regional Youth series was hosted by Island Barn Reservoir Sailing Club (IBRSC) on 12th September alongside the IBRSC ILCA Open and Thames Valley ILCA Grand Prix Series with fine weather and a tidy breeze to welcome the visitors to the south-west London club.

It was great to see sailors of all ages competing across all three ILCA classes, ranging from those with many years of experience to those just starting out as graduates of the IBRSC TrySail programme as well as several father and son and father and daughter entries.

After the initial excitement of navigating the infamous IBRSC winch to reach the reservoir, the sailors were met by a reassuring amount of water, given the dry Summer, and the all-important galley team serving a hearty breakfast to prepare for the day's racing.

ILCA 7 fleet during the Island Barn Reservoir Sailing Club ILCA Open - photo © Giulio Mazzarini / www.gmazzarini.com

Race Officer Dave Ryder opted to run four races over three separate starts, making for a great spectacle for the assorted parents and spectators watching from the reservoir edge with a consistent breeze throughout the day with large pressure differences and shifts across the course setting the scene for some great racing.

In the ILCA 4 Edward Taylor took a notable race win in Race 1 in his debut ILCA 4 race. The next three race were closely contested with Sam Dence taking the win in Race 2, followed by a win for Theodore Valentin in Race 3 and for Rio McNab in Race 4. Sam took first place overall in both the Youth and Open events with Frederick Seddon second and Theodore third. Nia Bryne was the first-place youth female.

Island Barn Reservoir Sailing Club ILCA Open - photo © Alfredo O-Aguilera

The ILCA 6 fleet proved to be particularly competitive with some of the top youth sailors in action alongside the local IBRSC and Thames Valley adult sailors. Thomas Knight took the wins in Race 1 and Race 3, Isla Todd closed in to win Race 2 and Sam Mason Race 4 with Ethan Rhodes in close attendance in each race. First place overall went to Thomas, with Isla in second (and first youth female) and Ethan in third - with the youth sailors taking all three of the top places in the Open, event despite some stiff competition from IBRSC sailor James Driver and others.

In the ILCA 7 fleet IBRSC sailors Lucas Symons and Rob Sumner dualled round all 4 races, with Peter Crompton and Richard Lymposs also both in close attendance. Youth sailor Lucas came out on top, with three race wins, making his debut in the ILCA 7 and taking first place in the Youth event and the Open event followed by Rob in second place and Richard in third.

ILCA 7 winner Lucas Symons with Rob Sumner in close attendance during the Island Barn Reservoir Sailing Club ILCA Open - photo © Giulio Mazzarini / www.gmazzarini.com

Lucas rounded off the day with the customary speech to thank host club IBRSC, fellow competitors and the awesome duty team assembled to make the day run smoothly. Changing robes from Youth Series sponsors Rooster were well received by our youth winners along with glassware, chocolate and assorted boat bits for the Open category winners.

The sailors will head back to the coast for the final event in the series, for a one-day open meeting at Royal Lymington Yacht Club on 3 October. Thanks again to Rooster for sponsoring the ILCA Youth series throughout the UK, their support is extremely appreciated.

Overall Results: