ILCA 6 class during the 2021 UKLA Masters Inland Championship at Grafham Water Sailing Club

Start line action during the 2021 UKLA Masters Inlands at Grafham © Paul Sanwell

Over the weekend of the 16th/17th October Grafham Water SC hosted the ILCA 6 Master sailors Inland Championships.

Saturday started dry and bright but as the scheduled midday start time approached there was next to no wind over the entire course area so a one hour postponement was signalled enabling the sailors to stock up on even more tea and cake. During this time a light 4 knot breeze filled in which was all the excuse the OD needed to get the 32 strong fleet afloat.

With the fleet sailing an inner loop course across the width of the water it was certainly a 'heads out of the boat' day to spot the odd gust on the water, to avoid the holes and spot the shifts which all made for a mentally tiring day.

Race 1 saw a postponed start as into the starting sequence the wind shifted but the line was quickly sorted and away we went. First out of the blocks, and showing all the youngsters around, was Kevin Pearson (Thames SC - Master Legend) who took the win from amateur master Jon Emmett (Weir Wood SC - Amateur Master) with Ian Gregory (Frensham Pond SC - Master) third.

Nick Livingstone during the 2021 UKLA Masters Inlands at Grafham - photo © Paul Sanwell

Race 2 saw Paul Heath (Leigh & Lowton SC - Grand Master) lead from start to finish although he did need some help when he headed off to the ILCA 7 set of leeward marks before realising his error (Thanks Jonesy) Ian Jones (Dovestone SC - Master) finished second with Rob Cage (Thames SC - Grand Master) third.

The final race of the day was won by Jon Emmett closely followed by Ian Jones with Kevin Pearson coming back into form with a third place finish.

After racing the sailors meet up in the clubhouse for a fabulous meal, on the spot prize-giving and a draw for a sailing holiday with prizes supplied by the fleets generous sponsors. Bob Draper from Stokes Bay SC walked way with the Minorca sailing Holiday, Alison Stevens and Howard Green won quality Vaikobi Bouncy aids and others won some very nice kit.

Alison Stevens during the 2021 UKLA Masters Inlands at Grafham - photo © Paul Sanwell

An early Sunday morning start for the fleet but with the promise of more breeze had everybody on the water for 10.30am. The wind was in the same southerly direction as yesterday and racing got away promptly in around 6 knots of breeze but increased throughout the race and the rest of the day to make for some great racing.

After a general recall the black flag make appearance in Race 4 but all got clean away on the restart. Ian Gregory took a convincing win from Jon Emmett with Ian Jones in third.

2021 UKLA Masters Inlands at Grafham - photo © Paul Sanwell

Race 5 saw Gregory and Jones hit the front and pull well away from the rest of the fleet so it was difficult to see whether the lead was swopped but in the end it was Jones who took the win, Gregory second and Richard Smith (Master) third.

At the start of Race 6 Emmett traded blows with Jones and sailed what he(wrongly) thought was his title rival to the farthest right of the course. While this was going on Ian Gregory headed to the left, tacked and cleared the fleet and rounded the windward mark first and was never headed. Behind him Alison Stevens (Queen Mary SC - Amateur Master) was up there again and this time held on to finish second. Emmett sailed himself from near back of the fleet to get into, and finish, third but it was not enough overall to prevent Ian Gregory from winning the event overall.

Ian Gregory wins the ILCA 6 category in the 2021 UKLA Masters Inlands at Grafham - photo © Paul Sanwell

So with 6 races over 2 days, 5 separate race winners, variable wind conditions, a helpful, friendly but competitive fleet, an organiser and committee that pulls out all the stops to make it an inclusive event for all level of sailors, a fantastic prize-giving and sponsors plus a Grafham race team that were incredible and got everything right in setting lines, courses and marks.

We are proud to be sponsored by:

• Sailingfast - Duncan brings his battle buss 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. sailingfast.co.uk

• 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. southeastsailboats.co.uk

• 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. www.ovingtonboats.com

• 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. www.vaikobi.com

• Minorca Sailing Holidays - Specialists in sailing holidays in Minorca. Whether you'd like to learn to sail, windsurf or just improve your sailing Minorca Sailing Holidays will guide you with great instructors and a perfect and safe environment. minorcasailing.co.uk

Prize winners in the 2021 UKLA Masters Inlands at Grafham - photo © Paul Sanwell

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