2021 Masters ILCA 7 & 6 Qualifier at Queen Mary Sailing Club

Orlando Gledhill wins the 2021 Masters ILCA 7 & 6 Qualifier at Queen Mary © Lotte Johnson / www.lottejohnson.com

Jon Emmett wins the 2021 Masters ILCA 7 & 6 Qualifier at Queen Mary © Lotte Johnson / www.lottejohnson.com

Rescheduled from the spring, after what hopefully will be the last of the Covid interruptions, QM hosted a great weekend of incredibly well run races for the Masters fleet - thank you Andrew Craig and Team. Orlando Gledhill and Jon Emmett were the overall winners in the ILCA7 and ILCA6 fleets with consistently good results after Saturday's racing to keep them at the top.

All week the forecasts had been flip-flopping about but Saturday was looking the better of the two days - this proved correct. With three great races held in 8 to 12 knots NE on Saturday and only one race taking place on Sunday it was still a suburb weekend.

Completing 4 races the competitors could drop their worst result. In the ILCA7s Orlando was unable to compete on Sunday so the combination of only getting one race sailed on the Sunday and the drop was decisive. Second place was a very different matter. Neil Peters (Pevensey Bay SC), not renown for his puddle sailing, sailed 2 great races on the Saturday and was looking good for second overall. But several other QM sailors were snapping at his heels. Michael Hicks (3,5,4) was consistent and in with chance but it would prove to be Tony Woods who would grab a 2nd on Sunday to bump him up to 2nd over all. Neil would have to settle with 3rd.

In the ILCA6 fleet Jon Emmett professionalism sets a great bench mark that allows the fleet to gauge just how well they are sailing. Max Hunt (SouthEast Sailboats) was on good form in the first race to get a well deserved second - after a small wobble in the second race he managed to keep consistent to secure 2nd overall. Close behind was Matthew Knight of QM who improved his scores on Saturday but got caught out on Sundays race. It was great to see so many visitors from clubs as far afield as, new Masters recruit, Joe Scurrah from Casington SC and Andy Fox from Leigh & Lowton.

2021 Masters ILCA 7 & 6 Qualifier at Queen Mary - photo © Lotte Johnson / www.lottejohnson.com

As with many of the ILCA Masters events the top 10 or 12 places are often made up of the same faces. Gradually this changes but you have to work hard to get there. So it's worth looking further down the fleet to see who's coming through. In the ILCA7 fleet Nick Livingstone has not only been Chair of UKLA but has triumphed in many big Masters events over the years. Having just done the Open Nationals, Poole Week and now the QM event he is back on form. Simon Cavey (J70 Sailor) is improving fast along with several other QM sailors.

A new member of QM is Patrick Johnson (USA) and Will Apps form Lancing SC have great potential. In the ILCA6 fleet it great to see more women entering into the fray and I'm sure they will soon be giving some of the more familiar faces a run for their money. Of course there are many more talented sailors, too numerous to mention here, but I would encourage you all to come to the next Masters inland event - Inland Master Nationals at Graham Water 16th & 17th October. Or the next sea event at WPSA, the Autumn Masters and Open Qualifier - 2nd & 3rd October.

2021 Masters ILCA 7 & 6 Qualifier at Queen Mary - photo © Lotte Johnson / www.lottejohnson.com

Along with the ILCA Nationals in August this QM event shows that if we get the race management right, even if the conditions aren't perfect, people will be very satisfied and happy. Add in some great off-the-water food, entertainment and prizes, you have the perfect weekend away.

Prize winners in the 2021 Masters ILCA 7 & 6 Qualifier at Queen Mary - photo © Lotte Johnson / www.lottejohnson.com

Thanks to all the staff at QM and to our great Sponsors

Sailingfast - Duncan brings his battle bus down from Scotland for most the big events, which is so ridiculously well equipped, you could replace everything on your boat. Although based in Scotland they will get anything to you super fast. He also supplied many of the prizes for the draw on Saturday evening.

SouthEast Sailboats - Max brings bespoke quality at affordable prices to the class. His passion for detail has made his products a must have for anyone who wants quality. He also supplied many great prizes for the event.

Ovington Boats - Chris Turner lives dinghies and has been a significance presence in the boat building world for decades. OB are now the official UK builders of ILCAs. A very smart new Ovington ILCA Dinghy was on display at the Masters event.

Vaikobi - a brand born on the waters of Sydney Harbour, out of a passion for all ocean sports. Across the team, we paddle, Surfski, SUP, Wing Foil and Sail. Sailing has been a passion within the business right from the start. The senior management team at Vaikobi comprise more than fifty years of marine industry and sailing experience between them.

Noble Marine - Ian MacManus (the man behind the name) has crafted a very competitive and excellent insurance product for all Laser/ILCA sailors. A very personal service and a extremely useful website help make this the 'go to' company.

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