ILCA Master European Championships 2026 at Yacht Club de La Baule - Day 2
by Agustín Argüelles 23 Sep 21:01 BST
21-25 September 2026
Racing resumed today at the 2026 ILCA Master European Championships, starting around 13:00, half an hour behind schedule due to wind shifts. Conditions were stronger than on Day 1, with 8-11 knots and flat water for the start of racing, easing later to 5-9 knots for the final part of the day.
The fleets that had already completed two races on Day 1 — the full ILCA 7 fleet and the ILCA 6 Legend category (White fleet) — sailed two further races today and were back ashore by around 16:00. The rest of the ILCA 6 fleets stayed out longer on the water to fit in a third race and catch up on yesterday's schedule, coming ashore around 18:00. All fleets have now completed four races, as originally planned.
Jose Luis Doreste ESP, a multiple European champion in the ILCA 7, described a day of contrasts: "I've been very lucky, another time. In the first race it was very tricky, and I had a lot of strong wind with me, so I was lucky and I could win. In the second race I had to fight, and I think I finished about fifth. It was fine, I'm happy, because for a while it looked very bad." Asked about chasing another European title, he said: "Every year, more guys move up into the Grand Master and Great Grand Master categories, so every year it's much more difficult. This year we have a very nice fleet, so I'm happy if I'm in the first three. But of course, the goal is to win." He has been sailing a Laser for around ten years: "Before, I sailed the Finn and the Star, but the Laser only in the Masters." On what he likes most about the class: "It's very simple, and you don't need anybody else in your boat."
Walter Gaehwiler SUI, racing in the ILCA 6 Legend fleet for the first time as he's now 75, picked up his first race win of the championship today: "I had a great chance today, because this is the first race I've won. I progressed from the wind shifts. There was a shift and I went for a big run, so it was very easy for me today." At 75, and weighing just 62kg, he found the breeze demanding: "The wind today was at the limit for me, because I'm only 62 kilos, and then it's really hard with this wind. But first time, everything." He returned to the class only seven years ago, after sailing Lasers between the ages of 20 and 47: "I have a new boat, and it works very well. What I like most is that you can go every weekend to a regatta and you don't have to search for a partner. It's easy, and there are always many participants. But it's really hard, I had to do a lot of training to be as fast as I am now."
Lynne Jewell Shore USA, competing in the ILCA 6 Great Grand Master category, is at the European Masters for the first time: "I'm having a great time, and it's been very, very tricky conditions. In the first race I needed to exercise a little more patience, even though I had a five boat-length lead at the start. Then I settled down in the boat and did what I know how to do best, as best as I can. The wind is very crazy here." She has been sailing a Laser since 1977, and won Olympic gold with Allison Jolly in the 470 class in 1988: "I sail a lot of different boats, and I'm just getting back into the Laser again. As long as I have my strength, and I have two new shoulders, I plan to keep going at it." She's a fan of how the boat has evolved: "It's a lot easier to use the control lines. Back when I raced, you only had three-to-one on the vang, and it was very challenging. So to have all the purchase systems, I think it allows a lot more people to last longer in the class, which is great. And it's a great group, I love all these Masters, they're just my family."
Pasta was again served at the club to all competitors as they arrived ashore. Sailors stayed on well into the evening, chatting and catching up with old friends and colleagues around the bar, with its sea view and a wonderful atmosphere.
The first possible warning signal for tomorrow's racing is scheduled for 13:30.
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