Applications are now open Here for the U21 World Championships 15-22 October at the Royal Yacht Club de Tangier Morocco.
Accommodation information is Here.
Total entry for this event is limited to 100 sailors in the Men’s fleet and 60 in the Women’s fleet.
For more information, see the Official Event Page.
Zoe pleased with her second place in La Palma
The Princesa Sofía Olympic classes Regatta kicked on last week after a slow start on Bay of Palma Mallorca. This is the first Sailing World Cup of 2023’s four regattas along with the Allianz Regatta (The Netherlands), the Semaine Olympique Française (Hyères, France) and Kieler Woche (Kiel, Germany).
All the top level Olympic sailors were competing with 15 months to the big event in Marseilles.
At the top of the hot ILCA 6 fleet new mum Marit Bouwmeester NED who is looking for a fourth Olympic medal after gold in Rio 2016, silver in London 2012 and bronze in Tokyo 2021 showed the way with consistent performances to win before the medal race was sailed. WA’s Zoe Thompson had a great series and a second in the medal race for second overall from the number two Netherlands sailor Maxime Jonker.
The ILCA 7s proved to be a walk in the park or a cruise on the bay for Mick Beckett GBR who won with a race to spare after a very consistent series. While daylight was second it was all very close after that with New Zealand’s George Gautrey finished next a point ahead of Croatian Tonci Stipanovic. Tom Saunders NZL was 5th and the best Australian Matt Wearn who finished second in the event last year was 7th.
The event web site is Here.
Australian Sailing has launched the “NEXTLEVEL” coaching program for year 2, aimed at further empowering coaches to become advanced coaches and enhance the quality of coaching in the Olympic and pathway classes.
This is a great opportunity for coaches to develop their skills further and contribute to the development of high-quality coaching.
Coaches selected for the “NEXTLEVEL” program will be required to attend a face-to-face workshop in Brisbane from May 8-10, 2023, and the Advance Workshop from May 22-24 in Adelaide. AS will arrange for travel and accommodation for the selected coaches.
If coaches are interested in being considered for the program, they should register Here by close of business April 20.
Swifto Elliott in action Princesa Sophia Regatta 2023
We have updated the list on the Events Tab of this web site to show 2023-24 international, regional, national and significant district events.
We have posted links to the definitive web site for the event so this should be your first port of call for information, entry and results.
We run some big events on our side of the equator but nothing holds a candle to Youth Worlds held in Europe. The photo above is not sardines in a tin but ILCAs in the boat park at the ILCA 4 World Youth Championships 2022 in Vilamoura, Portugal. There were 440 ILCAs and 150 coach boats – feel free to count them.
This year for the ILCA 4 Youth Worlds in Volos, Greece the entry limit is 400 (260 male and 140 female) and it is already nearing full. The entry limit for the 2023 ILCA 6 Youth Worlds in Dziwnow, Poland is 360 (260 male and 100 female) it too is nearing full.
All the information on all ILCA World Championship events is on the ILCA web site Here. We have updated the Events tab on this web site to list all the world, regional, national and major district events for 2023-24. This list has links to the definitive web site for each event so go to the lined site for up to date information.
If you want to get an idea of the trials and tribulations of being a top level sailor and a coach travelling the world circuit have a look at Australian Sailing Squad member and Youth Coach Swifto Elliot’s blog Here.
QLA have a big State Championship event coming up 29-30 April at Humpybong YC.
They are expecting a big roll-up so why not join them and enjoy some beautiful Queensland autumn weather.
All entries will go into the draw for a new sail.
Entries are on the QLA web site Here.
The first round of entry offers are out for the ILCA 4 Youth World Championships to be held at
the Nautical Club of Volos in Volos, Greece.
If you haven’t applied for entry yet and would like to compete late applications are now open at the link Here.
The Senior European Championships 10-17 March just concluded at Circolo Nautico Andora, Italy.
In the ILCA 7 there were 180 sailors competing in three fleets. In tricky and difficult conditions variable from very light to very strong Croatians Tonci Stipanovic and Filip Jurisic finished closely ahead of Matt Wearn. There was even a strike by the sailors at a point over conditions and equipment but it all ended amicably.
The full ILCA 7 results are Here.
In the 110 boat two fleet ILCA 6s Marit BOUWMEESTER Marit NED had a convincing win despite the tricky conditions. Mara Stransky was the best of the four Australians finishing 7th with consistent results until the last day.
The full ILCA 6 results are Here.
The web site with video and details of the event is Here.
Vanessa Dudley in action on Day 3 – Photo by John West
The 2023 Oceania & Australian Masters Championships 10-13 March were run from the Bay Sailing Centre Port Stephens.
There were 147 boats sailing in three fleets. There were sailors from all Australian mainland states and territories with the most travelled competitor was GGM Helio Araujo from Rio de Janeiro Yacht Club. It was pleasing to see keen competition in the ILCA 4s. We are keen to promote this rig for Masters as well as Youth age categories going forward.
Many of the sailors backed up from the ILCA World Masters Championships in Pattaya, Thailand in February.
Weather for the event varied from character building to excellent and from NE to SW.
The first days racing was tough with ENE winds 22 gusting to 29 knots. The waves were challenging, building over the 11Km fetch from the headland of Port Stephens to Soldiers Point. There were a large number of sailors who didn’t make it around the course and even more who were glad that they didn’t try. Well done to the sailors especially in the ILCA 7s most of whom made it all look easy on the day.
Day 2 saw ideal conditions from ENE. The run out tide proved a challenge with several OCSs and Black Flags. On Day 3 the breeze went around to the SW so the waves were down and presented excellent sailing conditions especially for sailors skilled in picking the shifts which were numerous. Day 4 saw a steadier 16 knot southerly and very good sailing conditions.
The fleet winners were GM Brett Beyer Woollahra SC in the ILCA 7s, GM Mark Tonner-Joyce from Royal Geelong YC in the ILCA 6 Green (Masters & GMs) and GGM Michael Pitt from Royal Queensland YS in the ILCA 6 Yellow (GGM and Legends). Sandy Kiernan from Northbridge SC won the ILCA 4s. The full final results are Here.
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There are very many fabulous action shots taken by Jon West which are linked on the Photos tab on the ILCA Nationals web site. You can view the watermarked images and buy from Jon’s web site. There are photos by Rod Barnes of the presentation which are free to download Here.
Thanks to the Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club (NCYC) who manage the Bay Sailing Centre (BSC) for hosting this event for us. The BSC is only a small club on some of the best dinghy sailing water on the east coast so the NCYC did a great job recruiting the 30 on water volunteers needed to run this event. These folks were flat out with rescues on day one with some sailors also rescued by a few good samaritan sailors – thanks to them.
The next ILCA Australian Masters will be held 12-15 April 2024 at RQYS Brisbane.
Brett Beyer – First GM in ILCA 7s – Inaction on Day 1 – Photo by John West
The Australian ILCA Masters was run very successfully between 25-28 February at Westernport Yacht Club in Victoria. There were 106 entries with 31 ILCA 7s sailing in one fleet, 30 ILCA 6 Grand Masters in a fleet and the other ILCA 6 age divisions in a third 45 boat fleet.
The venue Balnarring on Westernport Victoria provided excellent open water and good clean winds. These combined with ocean and wind swells gave some exhilarating rides and fair racing. All ten scheduled races were completed with light breezes on day one followed by six races in 15 to 18 knots on days two and three and around 12 knots for the final two races. Tides were an issue in the second half of the series when they were pushing the fleet over the start line. On the final day the second ILCA 6 fleet managed four general recalls and three black flag starts before the final race got away minus the 25% of the fleet which were black flagged.
The Westernport Yacht Club did a fabulous job both on and off the water. Racing was run like clockwork and the logistics of launch and retrieval of the support boats from Westernport, Sommers and bay side clubs were run with military precision. Catering at the club after racing, the functions and free beer from an event sponsor Bright Brewery were all much appreciated by the sailors.
There was a two day coaching clinic lead by Brody Riley & VLA head coach Rhett Gowans held before the series. This was fully subscribed and very successful.
The winner of the ILCA 7 fleet was Master Brett Bayer WSC/DBSC. Brett won six races edging out Apprentice Matt Blakey PMYC. Sommers YC Apprentice Sean Bly was third. In the ILCA 6 GM fleet John Jager McCrae YC won by a point from Sandringham sailor James Mitchell with David Early GRSC third.
The full results with age divisions scored separately are Here.
The age division podium places are listed below.
| Division | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | First Women |
| ILCA 6 Apprentice | Vaimooia Ripley MHASC | Vaimooia Ripley MHASC | ||
| ILCA 6 Master | Owen Mc Mahon RBYC | Danial Blight BSS/RQYS | Gayl Robinson SYC | Gayl Robinson SYC |
| ILCA 6 GM | John Jager McCYC | James Mitchell SYC | David Early GRSC | Christine Bridge RQYS |
| ILCA 6 GGM | Jeff Loosemore GR/MHASC | Tim Alexander NSC | Michael Pitt RQYS | |
| ILCA 6 Legend | Kerry Waraker RQYS | Lew Verdon MHASC | Kevin Phillips GSC | |
| ILCA 7 Apprentice | Matt Blakey PMYC | Sean Bly SomersYC | David Newman DBSC | |
| ILCA Master | Rob Barnes DBSC | Nick Alexander MHASC/DBSC | Stuart Holdsworth RPAYC | |
| ILCA GM | Brett Beyer WSC/DBSC | Gavin Dagley PMYC | Steve Gunther PMYC | |
| ILCA GGM | Gary Martin Darwin SC | Mike Stockdale PLYC |
There are great photos by Jon West which you can view and purchase Here.
The 60 Australian Masters sailors competing in the just concluded World Masters in Pattaya, Thailand achieved some memorable results.
With 112 boats in the ILCA 6s and 86 in the ILCA 7s there was lots of good close racing over the two weeks of the two back to back series.
The conditions were mostly very good but but with periods of very light conditions. Strong tides confounded some sailors and resulted in a greater than usual (for a Masters) number of U and black flags. The organisation of the event by ILCA and the Royal Varuna Yacht Club was excellent.
In the ILCA 6 GGM 32 boat fleet Australians filled the first four places lead by Jeff Loosemore followed by Lyndall Patterson, Steve Gunther and Martin White. David Early was third in the 42 boat ILCA 6 GMs fleet.
In the ILCA 7s GMs Brett Beyer took out his 15th Laser/ILCA World Masters series winning 9 of the 12 races. Jan Scholten was second and Gavin Dagley 4th in the 38 boat fleet. Steve Gunther and Jeff Loosemore backed up to compete in the ILCA 7 GGMs with Steve finishing second and Jeff third to GBR’s Tim Law. Colin Dibb was 4th in the GGMs. Now sailing for Australia Gold Coast orthodontist Christoph Bottoni had a remarkably consistent series to finish second in the ILCA 7 Masters to the almost unbeatable Greek sailor Adonis Bougiouris who posted 10 wins from 12 starts.
The event web site with news, video and pictures is ILCA 6 Here & ILCA 7 Here. The results for ILCA 6 and ILCA 7 are as linked. There is ane-book collection of photos from the events Here.
The next ILCA World Masters will be from Adelaide Sailing Club 2-10th February 2024 so hopefully we will be able to achieve similar success there.
Following the unanimous vote of its districts at the 2023 AGM and the approval of the regulator (NSW Fair Trading) the Australian Laser Class Association has a new name ILCA Australia and this new web site https://ilca.au from February 2023.
At the 2023 Oceania & Australian Championships six girls were selected from around Australia to participate in the ALCA Solidarity program. The details of the program are in an earlier post Here.
This is an account of her experience by Victorian participant Maddy English from Mornington Yacht Club.
Late last year I was selected to represent Victoria in the ILCA Youth Solidarity programme at the 2023 Australia and Oceania ILCA National Championships in Sydney. The Solidarity programme is a new initiative designed to encourage young girls into the world of competitive ILCA sailing. Together with five girls from around Australia we formed the Solidarity team.
Over the eight day regatta I was fortunate to be introduced to the ILCA Female Australian Sailing team and Olympic medallist Matt Wearn, who shared their experiences and offered encouragement and advice. The Solidarity team and I were coached on and off water by Daniel Costandi, who guided us with great skill, calm and a great sense of humour.
The weather conditions proved challenging for me, as I found myself sailing in 20+ knots on a few of the days, however this intense experience improved my confidence sailing in larger fleets. With 180 ILCAs launching from the beach with sails flapping, my adrenaline was pumping! By the final days, I was closer to the start line where I needed to be. I also learned how to better trim my sail; after several capsizes in choppy, blustery conditions, staying upright is a great incentive to focus my attention on setting my sail controls right!
I had some amazing experiences out on the water, met some wonderful people and made some great friends. Thankyou John d’Helin and ILCA Victoria for this fantastic opportunity. I’m looking forward to the ILCA 2024 Championships in Adelaide!
ALCA is compiling a candidate list of coaches for Australian Teams at a Youth & U21 World Championship events.
The events and likely coaches required for 2023 is tabulated below.
| 2023 Events | Location | Dates (unconfirmed) | # coaches (unconfirmed) |
| ILCA4 Youth World Championship | Volos, Greece | Pre regatta & regatta 19-30 Jul | 2 |
| ILCA6 Youth World Championship | Dziwnow, Poland | Pre regatta & regatta 28 Jun – 9 Jul | 2 |
| ILCA U21 World Championship | Tangier, Morocco | Pre regatta TBA, regatta 15-22 October | 1 |
Coaches travel costs and fees are paid by the team and its sponsors. The team will need guidance in the leadup and supported during 12 days of pre-regatta and regatta with advice after the event.
To be considered for selection ALCA is looking for active and developing coaches who have demonstrated commitment to the class in their state. They should provide information about their coaching & sailing background, their current coaching arrangements, their experience, where they would like to apply their coaching in the future. They should submit the Expression of Interest by 10th February to Don Elks ACLA Youth Development Director by email.
The 2023 Oceania & Australian Masters Championships will be held at the Bay Sailing Centre Soldiers Point on Port Stephens 10-13 March 2023.
Normal entries ($300) are open Here. Beach entries ($350) will be accepted up to 1200 on 10th March at the venue.
Entries to 7 March are Here.
This event is a little later in the year than normal and was re-scheduled to avoid clashing with the ILCA World Masters Pattaya, Thailand 8-16 (ILCA 6) and 18-26 (ILCA 7) February 2023.
Port Stephens is our favourite venue for Masters events with great sailing winds and water and lots of accommodation in all price ranges.
The Notice of Race for this event is Here.
Charters will be available from NB Sailsports and Performance Sailcraft Australia.
Sail Melbourne run from Royal Brighton YC 14-18 January saw a talented field of ILCA 7s (26), ILCA 6s (42) and ILCA 4s (9) competing. Conditions were were described as at times character building.
In the ILCA 6s the women dominated filling the first 9 places. Hungary’s Mari Erdi had four first places and won the series without needing to sail the last race. WA sailor Zoe Thompson had a great series scoring two wins including the last race in tough conditions to take second with Maud Jaynet (SUI) third.
Australian Olympian Mara Stransky finished 4th. Emma Plasschaert (BEL) who won the Oceania & Australian event had a U and a Black Flag in the series with only a single drop so was relegated to 8th place.
In the ILCA 7s the British Sailing Team’s Michael Beckett and Elliott Hanson finished one and two in front of Swifto Elliott from WA. Australian Olympian Matt Wearn who won the close fought Oceania & Australian Championships two weeks earlier had a consistent start and was in second place after four races but then decided to withdraw. Matt wanted to recover a wrist injury prior to the upcoming European season in which he and the other top Australian ILCA 7 sailors will be competing.
In the ILCA 4s Riley Cantwell (SSCBC Vic) had six bullets and was an easy winner from Joshua King (Witsunday SC, Qld) and Charlie Byford (RPAYC/DBSC, NSW).
The full results are Here.
