Please select your home edition
Edition
Savvy Navvy 2024

UKLA Masters ILCA 7 Inland Championship 2023 at Grafham Water Sailing Club

by Craig Williamson & UKLA 1 Nov 2023 05:57 UTC 28-29 October 2023

35 ILCA 7s arrived at Grafham Sailing Club on Saturday 28th October for the Masters Inland Championship to be greeted with sunshine and 5 - 13 knots wind with more forecast for Sunday. The Southerly directly blowing directly off the shore meant for some shifty conditions, and plenty of opportunities to make big gains (or big losses) over the whole weekend.

Race 1 got under way with the shifts and gusts becoming more erratic as the fleet approached the windward mark underneath the shore. Those that had found themselves on the left had side towards the end of the beat were treated to a lift and more wind to take them to the windward mark. Craig Williamson, happy to be able to compete now that the age limit for ILCA Masters events has been reduced to 30 finished 1st, Alan Davies 2nd, Orlando Gledhill 3rd.

Race 2: Very close racing with a lot of the fleet bunching together at the leeward gate, but it was Stuart Hudson who managed to pick the shifts out upwind to take the win, followed by Craig Williamson 2nd and Orlando Gledhill in 3rd.

Race 3: Those who managed to get a good start had clearer wind and more options to tack on the shifts were able to retain their positions, with Stuart Hudson in 1st, Peter Edel 2nd and Craig Williamson 3rd.

The first days stand out performances were by Chris Ellyatt 4th in R3, David Gale 5th in R3 and Guy Noble 5th in R2. Neil Peters started the weekend with a cracking 4th only to be defeated ultimately by a back injury.

Fresh from and extra hour of sleep due to the clocks changing, the sailors arrived to more sunshine and slightly lighter wind than forecast.

Race 4 Orlando Gledhill led for most of the race followed by Dick Soderberg. Behind them, a big group of boats jostled for position right up until the finish line, with Alan Davis getting the best of the pack to take 3rd.

Race 5 Stuart Hudson developed a healthy lead early on in the race which he held onto, Followed by Phil Bevan in 2nd and Joza Cic in 3rd.

It was all to play for in the final race of the day, and the forecast stronger wind finally kicked in for the last race, making some of the downwind legs quite lively. Orlando Gledhill won the race followed by Chris Ellyatt and Alan Davis.

Day two's high achievers were Simon Cavey, Andy Fox and Stephen James, who all managed to get at least one great result. The best- of-the-rest top dog was David Surkov who had a 6th,4th and 10th to move him up to 6th overall - it shows all that UKLA training really does pay off.

The one design appeal of the ILCA meant that there was plenty of close tactical racing over the weekend with most sailors scoreline showing a mixed bag of results. The race committee did a fantastic organising the racing. The different ILCA fleets racing on the same race area did not interfere with each other's racing once over the weekend and having the finish line separate to the starting line meant that the races were turned around quickly for the 3 ILCA rigs competing. The event sponsors kindly provided some fantastic prizes, with the winner taking away a brand new ILCA rudder.

UKLA

Looking back over the season we are again extremely grateful to all the volunteers that help make the ILCA Masters so successful. Most the sailors can enjoy the racing without helping but as time goes on it is only fair that at some point they too lend a hand to make these events happen. The Masters are still looking for a Masters Rep or reps (it's a job easily shared) please contact Ellie . if you think you can help in any way.

Overall Results:

PosCategorySail NoHelmClubR1R2R3R4R5R6Pts
1stGrand Master204644Stuart HudsonKeyhaven YC51151‑913
2ndMaster218699Orlando GledhillQueen Mary SC33‑917115
3rdApprentice Master170605Craig Williamson 123‑76416
4thGrand Master220433Alan DavisParkstone Yacht Club2463‑12318
5thGrand Master214415Chris EllyattQueen Mary SC8‑154411229
6thMaster218279David SurkovQueen Mary SC79‑13641036
7thGrand Master191871Phil BevanLyme Regis Sailing Club61712‑182542
8thApprentice Master222574Peter EdelKing George SC10102‑1313742
9thMaster219650Tim KeighleyWest Riding SC‑118899842
10thGrand Master212201Dick Soderberg 1261825(DNC)43
11thGrand Master211870Joza CicWembley SC‑297171031249
12thGrand Master222201Guy NobleQueen Mary SC13511‑2016651
13thMaster208322David GaleGrafham Water Sailing Club91451715‑2160
14thGrand Master222220Simon CaveyQueen Mary SC1722108‑241168
15thGrand Master214073David GoddardWeir Wood SC‑2416716171470
16thMaster217532John Elder 201214‑24102076
17thMaster220826Gordon RiddellDelph SC1513‑2414201981
18thGrand Master212146Gareth HumphreySpinnaker Sailing Club1821211214‑2286
19thGrand Master218700Andy FoxLeigh & Lowton S C.141919‑27221387
20thGrand Master215159Stephen JamesGrafham Water Sailing Club‑2711262382492
21stGrand Master213580Stuart BelfieldLeigh & Lowton SC211815‑26231592
22ndGrand Master221325Howard Green 2224‑25211816101
23rdGrand Master209138Simon BarringtonWeir Wood SC16291611(DNC)DNC108
24thGrand Master215231Keith CrebbinBlackpool And Fleetwood Sailing Club2320202521(DNC)109
25thGrand Master197774Carl AveryBurton SC2523‑28192617110
26thMaster202094Rick HudsonGrafham Water Sailing Club1926‑31291925118
27thGrand Master210139Neil PetersPevensey Bay SC4(UFD)2915DNCDNC120
28thGrand Master188783Nick StotenMounts Bay SC‑303027222518122
29thMaster217536Steve HopkinsNorthampton2625232827(DNC)129
30thGrand Master214100David HirstMaidenhead sailing club2828223028(DNC)136
31stGrand Master205187Michael MeakerNorth Lincolnshire & Humberside Sailing312730‑322923140
32ndGrand Master217841Jonathan StirlingLondon Corinthian Sailing Club; Datchet3231323130(DNC)156
33rdGrand Master136077Andy BaccasKing George SC‑333333333226157
34thGrand Master183299Robert JonesHereford3432343431(DNC)165
35thMaster218983Terence ONeillSeafarers/ RSrnYC(DNC)DNCDNCDNCDNCDNC180

Related Articles

ILCAs at Draycote Water
Combination of Olympic sail and 1972 hull brings deep joy Following recent weeks disappointing wind for several large events 16th November at Draycote Water seemed to be the place to be for all ILCA sailors in the Midlands. There was a reasonable entry of 44 Sailors looking forward to stretching their legs. Posted on 22 Nov
400 sailors to compete in Palamós Christmas Race
One month to go until the regatta and entries are at full capacity Just one month to go until the 48th edition of the Palamós Christmas Race, a benchmark regatta for both Olympic and dinghy sailing in the winter season, to be held in the waters of the Bay of Palamós (Girona). Posted on 21 Nov
The path to LA2028 and Brisbane 2032
The summer of sailing in Australia kick off with the three iconic regattas The Australian Sailing Team is excited to see the summer of sailing in Australia kick off with the three iconic regattas, Sail Melbourne, Sail Sydney, and Sail Brisbane. Posted on 20 Nov
Iconic regattas form a Sailing Grand Slam
To support World Sailing's Olympic Vision The world of Olympic sailing is set to reach new heights with the launch of the Sailing Grand Slam (SGS) - an international series that unites the sport's most iconic regattas and the regatta that will take place in the 2028 Olympic city. Posted on 15 Nov
Introducing the Sailing Grand Slam
The new premier Olympic sailing series The world of Olympic sailing is set to reach new heights with the launch of the Sailing Grand Slam (SGS) - an international series that unites the sport's most iconic regattas and the regatta that will take place in the 2028 Olympic venue. Posted on 14 Nov
Huge Summer of ILCA class Regattas in Australia
Large fleets for ILCA4, 6 and 7 divisions across Youth, Open and Masters age groups There is a big program of events in Australia across the 2024-2025 summer for the ILCA (Laser) dinghy class with large fleets being entered for ILCA4, 6 and 7 divisions across Youth, Open and Masters age groups. Posted on 14 Nov
Noble Marine ILCAuk ILCA 7 Inlands
A 40-boat strong fleet face a nightmare forecast at Grafham The highly anticipated 2024 ILCA 7 Inland Championships took place at Grafham Water sailing club last weekend. The forecast was a sailors and race officer's nightmare, however despite this a 40-boat strong ILCA 7 fleet contested for the win. Posted on 8 Nov
Affordable Precision: How Atto Changes the Game
Weighing just 75g and capable of measuring 250 kg working load Digitalisation has changed sailing. Technologies once reserved for Grand-Prix are permeating every level of the sport, giving sailors the ability to adopt elite racing and training practices - elevating the game across the board. Posted on 4 Nov
Dutch Olympic Team Head Coach Opportunity
Are you the head coach ready to take on this challenge? We welcome candidates from both the Netherlands and abroad, whether from sailing or another sport. Applications can be submitted until 5 November. Posted on 3 Nov
Are you a head coach ready to take on a challenge?
Top-3 Olympic nation in sailing, kite- and windsurfing In elite sports, the details are decisive, and the timing of innovative impulses is crucial. Are you convinced that you can make a difference for the Netherlands as a watersports nation with your unique vision and approach on the road to Los Angeles 2028? Posted on 1 Nov
Savvy Navvy 2024Maritimo 2023 M600 FOOTER