Huge Summer of ILCA class Regattas in Australia

ILCA4 fleet in action at the Australian Championship © Jack Fletcher / Down Under Sail

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.

The program kicks off with the NSW & ACT Open & Youth Championships 16 to 17 November at Georges River Sailing Club, followed by the Victorian Open, Youth and Masters championships at Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron on 23 to 24 November. Both State Championships are likely to attract over 80 entrants including competitors from interstate.

Then follows ILCA fleets at the three large capital city multi class regattas: Sail Melbourne from Royal Brighton Yacht Club 28 November to 1 December, Sail Sydney from Woollahra Sailing Club 6 to 9 December, and Sail Brisbane at Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron 18 to 21 December. There are Australian Sailing Team members and a number of overseas competitors already entered in ILCA6 and 7 divisions of these regattas

The State championships and capital city regattas lead into the Australian and Oceania Youth and Open Championships from Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron 1 to 8 January.

Big fleets with separate starts can be expected in the ILCA4, 6 and 7 divisions. The ILCA4 fleet will predominantly be contested by youth sailors up to 18 years, with most out of junior classes such as Optimist, Sabot, Minnow and Open Skiff in the last one to four years. The ILCA 6 fleet will have a good mix with members of Australian Sailing's national squads including Zoe Thomson, Mara Stransky and Casey Imeneo a number of overseas women competitors, youth who have progressed from the ILCA4 division, and male and female Masters sailors. The ILCA 7 class will have a mix of the older youth sailors, Olympic aspirants from the Australia Sailing National squad and a a number of male overseas competitors.

The program of ILCA summer regattas rounds out with State Championships in other States and the Australian Masters championships at Westernport Yacht Club in Victoria from 21 to 24 February for sailors ranging from 35 to over 70 years of age.

In early November the Oceania and Australian ILCA Associations was pleased to announced the eight young female sailors from Oceania selected for the ILCA Solidarity program at the 2025 Australian and Oceania Championships at RQYS in January.

Solidarity is about encouraging young female sailors (age between 13 & 16 yrs), who have recently progressed or are about to progress into the ILCA 4 class, to participate in a world class sailing championship. The participants receive a free entry to the championship & social events. ILCA4 charter boats & coaching for this regatta. This year program organisers from the Australian ILCA association are delighted to have the support of Australian Sailing. The Solidarity squad this year will be supported by two Queensland based coaches, Mel Watson & Libby Kirby. They will provide on water coaching plus briefings on shore before and during the event.

Solidarity Group at 2023 ILCA Nationals in discussion with Matt Wearn, ILCA7 multiple World champion, Australian champion and Olympic Gold medallist - photo © John D'Helin

The objective of the Solidarity program is not about winning the event. The hope is that this experience will develop lifelong skills and ignite a passion for the sport when they return to their clubs as enthusiastic ambassadors.

This is the third year for the ILCA Solidarity program. The feedback from Oceania districts is that most of the previous participants have continued ILCA sailing with a number transitioned to the ILCA 6 and participated in subsequent State & National events.