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ILCA Summer of 26/27 Events

ILCA Victoria will welcome sailors from Australia and around the world for an exceptional summer of racing from Sandringham Yacht Club on Port Phillip Bay.

Major Championship Events – Hosted by ILCA Victoria:

2026 Performance Sailcraft ILCA Victorian State Championships 21–22 November 2026
2027 Performance Sailcraft ILCA Oceania & Australian Open & Youth Championships 1–8 January 2027
2027 Performance Sailcraft ILCA Under-21 World Championships 10–17 January 2027

Local and overseas sailors can build a full Australian summer campaign by including regattas in multiple states:

2026 ILCA NSW & ACT State Championships 14-15 November 2026 – Double Bay SC
2026 Sail Melbourne – 26–29 November 2026 – Brighton, Melbourne
2026 Sail Brisbane – 15–19 December 2026 – RQYS, Brisbane

Together, these events create a structured pathway of competition from November 2026 through January 2027, allowing sailors to maximise travel value and race days.

ILCA Summer 26-27 Events Graphic_750

For further information about ILCA Victoria events please contact:
James Mitchell
Chair, ILCAVIC 26–27 Regatta Organising Committee

Australian Sailors Ranking for Under 21 Worlds

Applications open 14 July 2026 for the 2027 Performance Sailcraft ILCA Under-21 World Championships, to be held 10–17 January 2027 at Sandringham, Melbourne.

As the host nation, Australia has been allocated additional places for this championship, with the final number depending on demand from other countries.

Australian applicants will be offered places in ranking order, based on results from the 2026 Australian Championships in Hobart, as outlined in our June 2025 ILCA Australia post.

Didn’t sail in Hobart? You can still apply! Sailors who didn’t compete at the 2026 Australian Championships will be ranked after those who did, in the order applications are received.

This is a once-in-a-career opportunity to race an Under-21 World Championship on home waters. Don’t miss it!

Applications open at 00:01 US Central Time on 14 July 2026.

See ILCA Australian ranking policy here: Worlds Ranking

Regatta entries here from 14 July:  Laser World Championships – International Laser Class Association

ILCA Class Rules Change Voting

As an Olympic class ILCA is required to change its Class Rules to align with World Sailing’s Standard Class Rules (SCR) format.

The majority of changes are clerical only with a few needing to be made to address rules that were either legacy provisions carried forward without revision or rules whose interpretation was unclear. This second group has been revised to reflect the class’s considered position to maintain current practices.

In short there in no intention to change the current class rules arrangements. You can see the changes in detail Here.

There is a more detailed description Here of the motivation and mechanism of these rules changes along with a link to the proposed new Class Rules with the changes incorporated.

The rules changes need to voted as a job lot (Yes/No) by a simple majority of district members.

Voting is open here until 24th July 2026

2027 ILCA Oceania Solidarity Program Applications Open

Applications for the 2027 ILCA Oceania Solidarity Program are now open.

With support from PSA and Australian Sailing one ILCA 4 female sailor (aged between 13 & 16 years on Jan 1st, 2027) from each Australian state, plus representatives from New Zealand and Pacific Island nations will receive free entry to the 2027 Oceania & Australian Open & Youth Championships 1-8 January at Sandringham Yacht Club. plus, a race-ready ILCA 4, a dedicated coach, and team gear. A flyer for the program is Here.

This is the fifth running of this program which since 2023 has seen 28 girls participate, fostering growth, friendships, and success, including international competition and positive community impact.

Applications can be placed before 1st August 2026 Here.

The program web site is Here and an information brief is Here.

 

ILCA 7 2026 World Masters

The ILCA 7 World Masters has just concluded in the waters of the Saronic Gulf off Athens at The Nautical Club of Kalamaki. There were 13 Australians among the 84 sailors from 20 countries competing. With all 12 scheduled races completed all the sailors were very satisfied with the event.

Congratulations to Australian sailors Brendan Casey, Bruce Savage, Jeff Loosemore and John Roberson for their podium places. Bruce finished with a third following up on his second place in the ILCA 6 GM division the previous week. Geoff was also a double podium placer having finished with a 5th place cube in the ILCA 6 he came from behind to claim second in the ILCA 7 GGM division.

For the first time this year the Legends category was introduced for ILCA 7 Worlds. Long time World Masters competitor John Roberson was placed third in this event.

Further information, results, photos and videos are available at the links.

Videos

Results

Photos

Winners are grinners ILCA 7 Worlds in Athens – Photo by Harris Gkaniatsas – Nautical Club of Kalamaki

Michael Blackburn ILCA Debut Olympian

As part of their  30 Years of Olympic ILCA Sailing series, ILCA have been speaking with sailors who competed in the class’s Olympic debut and reflecting on what that experience means three decades on.

Their interview with Michael Blackburn is Here.

For Michael Blackburn, Atlanta 1996 was the start of an Olympic journey that would leave a lasting mark on the ILCA class.

Competing in the Laser class, Michael finished an impressive 4th at his first Olympic Games before going on to win bronze at Sydney 2000 and claim the 2006 ILCA Laser World Championship title.

His influence extended well beyond his own racing career. As a coach with the Australian Sailing Team, Michael helped guide a new generation of champions, including Olympic gold medallists Tom Slingsby (London 2012), Tom Burton (Rio 2016), and Matt Wearn (Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024).

Through both his sailing and coaching achievements, Michael has played a major role in one of the most successful periods in ILCA Olympic history.

Michael’s current role is as Technical Director of Australian Sailing’s High Performance Program where he leads the national coaching group, providing strategic direction, on-water training and competition plans for the program’s elite sailors.

ILCA 6 World Masters Greece

156 Boats from 24 countries contested the ILCA 6 World Masters in Kalaamki Athens between 30 May and 7 June. There were 21 Australians among them.

You can see the prize winners in the ILCA presentation photo above.

In the 47 boat GM division Bruce Savage was second after an early lead was eroded by a BFD in Race 9. Jenny Danks was second of the GM women.

Kerry Waraker was the winner in the new Suoer Legends and Lyndall Patterson was first women in GGMs.

The ILCA 7 World Masters will be sailed at the same venue 8-16 June.

Lyndall Patterson World ILCA 6 Masters – ILCA Photo

30 Years of Olympic Sailing Celebration

This year the ILCA/Laser class will celebrate 30 years since making its Olympic debut at the Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games, a milestone that marked the beginning of a new chapter in the history of the class.

As part of the celebration, ILCA is seeking contributions from the ILCA community.

If you have memories, images or stories from Olympic ILCA/Laser sailing that you would like to share, please get in touch with Agustín Argüelles the new ILCA Global Communications and Media Manager at agustin@ilcasailing.org — Please include “ILCA 30 Years” in the subject line. Selected contributions may be featured during the campaign. One such experience contributed by Ken Hurling concerning Australian Olympic sailor Andrew Landenberger Here.

You can see ILCA President Mark Lyttle’s cameo YouTube video of his Olympic experience in the first Laser Olympics in 1996 Here.

New ILCA Finance and Governance Arrangements

ILCA World Council has established a Finance and Governance Sub-committee (FGC) to provide oversight in key areas of finance, audit, governance, ethics and risk management.

The PGC will meet quarterly under ILCA President Mark Lyttle with newly appointed Treasurer Daniel Sexton. Nick Page who has done a fabulous job as ILCA Treasurer over many years will hand over this responsibility to Daniel over calendar 2026.

The working arrangements for this sub-committee and these key functions are covered in more detail in an ILCA web site post at https://ilcasailing.org/ilca-world-council-strengthens-finance-and-governance-support/

ILCA Amps Up Communications

Early this year ILCA appointed Agustín Argüelles to a new position of Global Communications Manager. Agustin’s role will  be to oversee class media, strengthen member communication, and coordinate the promotional activities of the class. This has assisted with the ILCA World Council’s increased focus on publicity and promotion.

The ILCA web site is the ILCA’s prime communication channel. It has all class information on news, rules, events entry and results. Some recent posts on major events on the site include.

The various social media and other channels featuring ILCA activities are. Check these out.

Sailors Selected for Asia-Oceania Youth Rising Stars Program

Harry Hogan in Action at 2026 ILCA 4 Oceania Youth Championhips

Congratulations to Harry Hogan (QLD) and Murray Duthie (WA) who have been selected based on their performance at the 2026 Oceania & Australian Youth Championship in Hobart to represent Oceania in the Asia-Oceania ILCA 4 Youth Rising Stars Exchange Program.

Harry and Murray will travel to Pattaya, Thailand where they will compete in the 6th ILCA Asian & Open Championships from 14 to 20 December 2026.

This new program is designed to strengthen international connections and create an exciting opportunity for top ILCA4 youth sailors by assisting two top Oceania sailors to sail in the peak Asia Championship and two top Asia sailors compete in our Oceania & Australian Youth Championships.

2026 Sailing Grand Slam Events Underway

The 2026 Sailing Grand Slam (SGS) is the premier international circuit for elite Olympic sailing, windsurfing, and kiteboarding. Created in collaboration with World Sailing, the 2026 season comprises five major global regattas in the build-up to the LA 2028 Olympic Games.

  • Trofeo SAR Princesa Sofia Mallorca: Palma, Spain — March 27 – April 4 2026
  • Semaine Olympique Française: Hyères, France — April 18 – April 25, 2026
  • Dutch Water Week: Almere, Netherlands — May 30 – June 7, 2026
  • Kieler Woche: Kiel, Germany — June 20 – June 28, 2026
  • Long Beach & Los Angeles OCR (Pre-Olympic Event): Long Beach, USA — July 13 – August 8, 2026.

The SGS web site consolidating entry links, information and results is https://www.sailinggrandslam.com/

The 16 Australian Sailors who are competing in the ILCA classes are.
ILCA 6 Elyse Ainsworth (AST), Mara Stransky (AST), Zoe Thomson (AST),Casey Imeneo (AS Squad), Evie Saunders (AS Squad), Ellen Sampson (ASF), Lili McAullay (ASF), Sylvie Stannage (AUS), Frances Beebe (AUS)

ILCA 7  Matt Wearn (AST), Ethan McAullay (AST), Zac Littlewood (AST), Michael Compton (AS Squad), Lawson McAullay (AS Squad), Isaac Schotte (AS Squad), Alexander Bijkerk (SSPP)

In the two events run so far Matt Wearn has dominated winning in La Palma and Hyeres in the ILCA 7s. In the ILCA 6s Mara Stransky, Zoe Thomson and Casey Imeneo have placed in or close to Medal Race places.

Trofeo Princesa Sofía results are Here  and the Australian Sailing wrap of the event is Here.

French Olympic Week results are Here  and the AS event wrap is Here.

Asia-Oceania ILCA4 Youth Rising Stars Exchange Program

The Asian and Oceania Regions of ILCA are pleased to announce a new partnership project the Asia-Oceania ILCA4 Youth Rising Stars Exchange Program designed to strengthen international connections and create an exciting opportunity for top ILCA4 youth sailors.

Initially the program will comprise.

Asia to Oceania
Two ILCA4 Under 18 Asian sailors will be selected on performance from ILCA Asian Cup 2026 Qinhuangdao, Hebei competing in the 2027 Oceania Open & Youth Championships in Melbourne, Australia 1-8 January.

Oceania to Asia
Two ILCA4 under 18 Oceania sailors selected based on performance at the 2026 Oceania & Australian Open & Youth Championships (Hobart) will be invited to compete in the 6th ILCA Asian & Open Championships 2026 in Pattaya, Thailand from 14 to 20 December.

Selected sailors will receive:

  • Free Entry
  • Free Charter Boat

This program will provide a fantastic opportunity to experience international competition in a new environment and to build friendships across continents.

Volunteers Needed for Major ILCA Events in Melbourne

Volunteers at SYC for 2020 ILCA Events

ILCAVIC welcomes the support of volunteers from the Australian ILCA community to assist us deliver the Big regattas at Sandringham Yacht Club (SYC), Melbourne:

  • 2026 Performance Sailcraft ILCA Victorian State Championships 21-22 Nov 2026
  • 2027 Performance Sailcraft ILCA Oceania & Australian Open & Youth Championships 1-8 Jan 2027
  • 2027 Performance Sailcraft ILCA Under-21 World Championships 10-17 Jan 2027.

Potential volunteers can register their interest with ILCAVIC Event Chair James Mitchell  2027ilcainfo@gmail.com  or via the SYC volunteers web portal here:  Expression of Interest to Volunteer

Volunteers are needed to assist with on-water and off-water roles.

  • Measurement
  • Registration desk
  • First aid station
  • Car parking attendant
  • Beach marshall
  • Media boat driver
  • Safety boat driver / crew
  • Start and finish boat crew
  • Coach registration
  • Jury assistant
  • Scoring assistant

A commitment across the whole regatta period is not necessary (but welcomed).

2026 Australian Masters Port Stephens

180 sailors from all mainland states and territories and some sailors from overseas enjoyed Australian Masters Championships at the fabulous regatta venue at Soldiers Point, Port Stephens. With beautiful clear water, good breezes, a traffic-free bay and lots of user-friendly rigging areas adjacent to accommodation what was not to like about the event.

The event was run for us by Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club who manage the Bay Sailing Centre and run major sailing events on Port Stephens. NCYC did a terrific job with 20 volunteers from Newcastle and tireless Sailing Manager Jack Buchan and Australian Sailing’s RO of the year Ken Semple calling the shots. Thanks to the NCYC and Bay Sailing Centre staff and volunteers for their efforts in delivering a great event.

On Sunday night 200 sailors and supporters enjoyed the event dinner at the Soldiers Point Bowling Club across the road from the Bay Sailing Centre. There Martin White hosted an Q & A session with Brett Beyer, Rob Lowndes, Lyndall Patterson and Christine Bridge who were Australian winners of World Masters categories at the 2025 World Masters in Italy. Australia won the ILCA trophy for most successful nation at the 2025 World Masters. The trophy is now on proud display at Middle Harbour Amateur Sailing Club.

The racing was held with three fleets ILCA 7, ILCA 6 Masters & GM, ILCA 6 Apprentices, GGMs and Legends each around 60 boats.

The first 2 days had solid afternoon sea breezes of 15 knots plus. Day 3 was lighter and saw delays due to shifting breeze and many general recalls. On Day 4 the fleets were APed ashore and just one light wind race was completed so seven of the eight scheduled races for the series with one drop.

There were 25 ILCA cubes awarded at this event and the first three placegetters in each category are listed below.

Apprentices Masters GM GGM Legends ILCA 4 Women
ILCA 7 1st James Tudball Christoph Bottoni Brett Beyer Michael Wilson
ILCA 7 2nd John Sweeny Tom Lowndes Jan Scholten Nick Page
ILCA 7 3rd Jack Sprague David Newman David Whait Rob Sykes
ILCA 6 1st Simon Merritt Jon Emmett Bruce Savage Michael O’Brien Peter Heywood Christine Bridge
ILCA6 2nd Bradley Utting Rupert Henry Owen McMahon Colin Beashel Tim Alexander Jenny Danks
ILCA 6 3rd Vaimooia Ripley Scott Hunter Brad Jones Anthony Scali Kerry Waraker Kerrie Shimeld
ILCA 4 1st Jacqui Winship
ILCA 4 2nd Lyn Savage
ILCA 4 3rd Ross Bell

The full results are Here.