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ILCA 6 Rooster / Noble Marine Qualifier 5 at the WPNSA

by Matilda Nichols and Hugh Andrews 23 Oct 12:09 UTC 19-20 October 2024

Of the 170 entries 73 ILCA 6s registered for the ILCA UK Qualifier 5 at WPNSA, the stage was set for an exciting weekend of racing. However, with Sunday's forecast predicting gusts of up to 50 knots, it was clear Saturday would be the key day for competitors.

In response to the forecast, the Race Committee scheduled 4 races for Day 1 in Portland Harbour. Fortunately, the sailors were treated to clear skies and a lovely breeze of 8-14 knots. The wind, starting from a WNW direction, ensured this wouldn't be tour typical "smash left" day, offering plenty of opportunities and tight racing across the fleet.

The ILCA 6s, the last fleet to start, had the benefit of observing how the ILCA 4s and 7s tackled the conditions. It soon became apparent that it wouldn't be an easy day, with many shifts across the course. In Race 1, Charlotte Videlo came flying off the start line and capitalised on the first shift, giving her a nice jump on the fleet. The first windward mark saw a couple sailors getting to the lay lines a little too early and missing the final shift allowing Dru Townsend to sail smartly and take the lead, closely followed by Matilda Nicholls. It was a tight battle, with Matilda only just nipping past Dru at the final windward mark. Matilda finished the race in 1st, Dru in 2nd and Hugh Andrews in 3rd at their heels.

Race 2 saw a shift in strategy with some pin end bias. Hugh Andrews, fresh off his strong finish in Race 1, won the pin end, securing a top-three position at the windward mark. Jon Emmett and Matilda Nicholls also started well at the pin, allowing them to take advantage of the first shift. The fleet split on the second beat, demonstrating there were gains to be made on both sides of the course. In a close battle, Hugh took the lead, but a patchy outer loop allowed for some gains to be made by sailors on the final downwind. In the end, Matilda finished 1st but closely followed by Hugh in 2nd and Jon in 3rd. Also a special mention to young gun, Amelie Hacker, for banking an 8th in Race 2 after a great start!

After back-to-back wins, Matilda was approached by some of the younger sailors for advice, highlighting the collaborative spirit of the Qualifiers, where experienced and up-and-coming sailors learn from each other. Following a quick discussion about playing the shifts and staying aware of compass numbers, Race 3 got under way.

This race saw the Youth ILCA 6 boys make a strong statement. With the wind gradually shifting left, a packed port lay line formed at the windward mark. Six boys rounded first, chased by Molly Sacker, Charlotte, and Matilda. Lewis Bacon executed a flawless second beat, securing the win, followed by Olly Mayo in 2nd, Tom Rawlings in 3rd, and Leo Yates in 4th.

Fatigue set in as the sailors lined up for Race 4. The wind continued to shift left, and it was crucial for competitors to stay alert. Those starting at the pin end had a clear advantage, as the wind provided a long port tack towards the windward mark. Ben Anderson led the fleet, capitalizing on a small right shift near the top of the course, with Matilda close behind. The two extended their lead, with Ben maintaining his composure to take the win, followed by Matilda in 2nd and Adriana Penruddocke in 3rd.

After 5 hours on the water, it was time for the sail home! Lots of tired sailors but luckily the sun was still shining and there was pasta waiting for them onshore to keep everyone in good spirits. With an updated forecast still showing 30-50kts the following day, it was clear that racing would be cancelled and prize-giving was imminent. A special mention to Leo Yates who perfectly demonstrated the power of consistency in such tricky conditions, finishing 2nd overall.

Hugh Andrews, 3rd overall and from Blackwater Sailing club, gives his take on the days racing...

"The key to success for the start was getting off the line cleanly, driving to the oncoming phase so that when it came you had the option to tack at the best point. Since staying in phase with the shifts were crucial throughout the day. This overruled being in better pressure since the speed gains made in 2 more knots of breeze at 10-12knots is minimal compared to 4-6 knots where speed is more noticeably different in gusts and lulls. Though if both were possible: being in phase as well as being in pressure was ideal. After the start, if it went well, my focus was to keep it "stupid simple". Avoiding potential collisions by minimising tight tactical calls I needed to make as well as not giving my nearby competitors any leverage if I was in front of them.

"For me personally the pin end worked well. I started pin boat for three out of the four races which allowed me to control the left side, which was favourable due to a persistent left shift clocking round throughout the day as well as generally better pressure as a result. Though other strategies were viable especially in the first race where some of the leaders came from the middle right starting at the committee end.

"On the downwinds, since the water was flat the only major boat speed gains were made through pressure differences. Therefore looking behind you often was essential, to get in the gusts then taking them down to the mark to maximise VMG."

A big thank you goes out to all ILCAuk's sponsors and a special mention to Rooster and Noble Marine who sponsored the weekend's racing.

Overall Results:

PosMNASail NoHelmClubR1R2R3R4Pts
1stGBR222481Matilda NichollsAldeburgh Yacht Club11‑524
2ndGBR221490Leo YatesIsland Barn SC554‑714
3rdGBR201872Hugh AndrewsBlackwater SC32‑211015
4thGBR224969Freddie SunderlandDraycote Water610‑15622
5thBER220732Adriana PenruddockeRBYC/SPBC4‑2016323
6thGBR218694Molly Sacker 1248‑2524
7thGBR224685Lewis BaconLeigh and Lowton13‑2211125
8thGBR216115Jon EmmettWeir Wood SC‑173101225
9thGBR218526Cameron Bignold‑KylesLymington Town Sailing Club‑2497925
10thGBR221854Charlotte VideloFrensham Pond SC / Stokes Bay SC7119‑3027
11thGBR224954Olly MayoYarmouth SC2062‑2228
12thGBR222776Samson CrossShoreham11‑2861330
13thGBR215685Ben AndersonGurnard Sailing Club‑381220133
14thGBR221318Toby WaggettDerwent Reservoir Sailing Club819‑26835
15thGBR221327Tom RawlingsLyme Regis Sailing Club‑181831738
16thGBR212405Tom HakesParkstone Yacht Club‑191618438
17thGBR185604Nathan RussellRHYC91713‑2439
18thGBR224703Archie Munro‑PriceCastle Cove Sailing Club141312‑1639
19thGBR214134Amelie HackerAldeburgh YC‑238112140
20thGBR222541Ralph MustoCorinthian Otters16‑3727548
21stGBR220097Oscar BartlettHayling Island‑3123141552
22ndGBR225211Billy MorrisDelph Sailing Club10‑31241953
23rdGBR224161Sam LowbridgeRutland SC26722‑2755
24thGBR222773Bronwen ThomasPPSA15‑44192357
25thGBR209949Poppy LuxtonRestronguet SC281528‑5871
26thCAY220039Ciara MurphyCISC / Royal Hospital School2714‑403273
27thGBR223085Felicity AngellDraycote Water Sailing Club21‑35173573
28thGBR225657Will JacksonCayman Islands Sailing Club33‑34291880
29thGBR208325Dru TownsendPortishead Yacht & Sailing Club2‑57502981
30thGBR215317Julien RohartOxford Sailing Club‑3732232681
31stGBR224541Megan ThomsonIsland Barn Reservoir Sailing Club2924‑323184
32ndGBR222555Max HuntWhitstable YC252933‑4187
33rdGBR218860Jon GayLochaber Yacht Club(RET)40352095
34thGBR224683Finlay CochraneYorkshire Dales49‑51341497
35thGBR219391Ruairi HerringtonLargs Sailing Club30‑33313399
36thGBR220514Millie LewisMedway YC32‑493038100
37thGBR222765Flo ToveyMumbles YC / TATA362641‑47103
38thGBR210220Mortimer mastindabchicks‑58364728111
39thGBR221319Edward Roberts‑StrawCBYC345425‑56113
40thGBR224699Lauren AttwellRutland SC353942‑46116
41stGBR213644Sam RomerParkstone YC‑56423739118
42ndGBR212943Monty DesforgesGuernsey Yacht Club40‑464337120
43rdIRL223326Cormac ByrneBallyholme Yacht Club51‑593834123
44thGBR211109Alexander Van DorenOxford Sailing Club / Abingdon School Sa47‑483642125
45th 219358Dan Powell 43‑654636125
46thGBR219884Corneille Leprince 3943‑5443125
47thGBR217000Gretel HainesGurnard Sailing Club502155‑59126
48thGBR221585Carys AttwellRutland SC2230(DNC)DNC126
49thGBR218986William BrownIsland Barn Reservoir Sailing Club462756‑63129
50thGBR223452Kieran Vanhoutte ‑52385140129
51stGBR214587Ethan WildRipon Sailing Club4245‑5345132
52ndGBR223453Luke EdwardsSutton Bingham Sailing Club‑55503944133
53rdGBR223089Jessica WatsonGuernsey Yacht Club‑57414453138
54thGBR216114Robbie HudsonRoyal Lymington YC4147‑5850138
55thGBR202437Filip WojcikHythe Sailing Club44‑524551140
56thGBR198827Joseph HendersonWelsh Harp Sailing Club45‑664949143
57thGBR219022Nina MarshNeyland Yacht Club‑60255960144
58thGBR221813Amelia GilboyPaignton sailing club/ Saltash sailing c485357‑61158
59thGBR213611Tristan SomervilleHelensburgh64‑684852164
60thGBR185702Eva FarnellLargs Sailing Club5358‑6454165
61stGBR192844Tom YatesGurnard Sailing Club595652‑62167
62ndGBR160507Wilf ToveyMumbles / TATA67‑716048175
63rdGBR216298Steffan WilliamsNew Quay Yacht Club‑62616257180
64thGBR195037Imogen CrossfieldWaldringfield546266‑70182
65thGBR213540Lucas SymonsIsland Barn Reservoir Sailing Club6155‑7067183
66thITA217437Giovanni BianchiChew Valley Lake Sailing Club6367‑6955185
67thGBR151347Howard Finn ‑69606166187
68thFRA198290Nicolas RohartOxford Sailing Club‑65646564193
69thGBR210001Aimee BulkesBowmoor Sailing Club‑68636368194
70thGBR182465Amy Chignell 66‑726869203
71stGBR204535Natasha BakerTata Steel sailing club707067‑71207
72ndGBR147662Felipe Garcia 72‑737265209
73rdGBR209409Aspen ChamberlinDorchester Sailing Club716971‑72211

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