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Noble Marine ILCA 7 ILCAuk Inland Championships at Grafham Water Sailing Club

by Oliver Alen-Wilcox 8 Nov 08:44 PST 2-3 November 2024

The highly anticipated 2024 ILCA 7 Inland Championships took place at Grafham Water sailing club last weekend. The forecast was a sailors and race officer's nightmare, however despite this a 40-boat strong ILCA 7 fleet contested for the win.

Day one brought a very light north easterly breeze in the morning that faded as the sun made a very rare appearance. After a period on shore waiting for the wind to build, we finally got launched in the afternoon in a steady 4-7 Knots with hope that it would continue to build. The ILCA 7 managed one abandoned start after a big left shift caused the fleet to descend on the pin. Despite the best intentions of the race team, unfortunately racing was not possible. As we packed away in a fading light there was a distinct lack of optimism in the boat park as the bad luck from the 3rd Autumn qualifier appeared to be repeating itself.

The day ended with a prize draw. Several fabulous prizes from Tideway Wealth, Ovington Boats and Rooster were handed out to many happy recipients. Thank you sponsors.

Day two saw four races in a 5-10 knot easterly. Light winds, flat water and a shifty breeze saw the day shaping up to be a typical lake sailor's dream. If nothing else, it promised to provide some entertainment.

2022 champion James Foster took the win in race 1 setting the bar very high. However, it was tightly contested by new young talent from Hamish Collingridge who was able to show his maturity to very quickly switch on to the right shift shortly after the start. Ed Baker from CVLSC was able to bring years of lake sailing experience to also anticipate this permanent right shift that continued onto the second beat and rounded off the podium in 3rd.

Race 2 was sailed in a steady 5- 10 knot breeze. The middle right came out strong on the first leg. However ultimately the race was decided on the second beat where Leo Yates and Ollie A-W where able to capitalise on a few shifts to give them a commanding lead. Ewan Mcanally rounded off the medal positions.

Race 3 saw the left side of the track dominate early before a right shift levelled up the fleet at mark one. Rounding well was Ali Brown defending champion 2023, Hamish Collingridge, Jack Graham-Troll, Henry Redmond, Ewan and Ollie. After a considerably light downwind, where Jack displayed his incredible pace and expertise in these conditions, we began placing our educated bets on where the wind would fill in from on the second beat. Ollie and Jack choose the left side whilst the rest of the fleet continued right. When the breeze filled in Ollie and Jack had a commanding lead followed by Ali who sailed a strong final downwind to finish 3rd.

With the overall event win all to play for, Race 4 was under way after a short delay and one abandoned race. With tensions high, and a lot to race for, the excitement was high. A pin bias line saw Ali capitalise well and get an early tack onto port followed by the rest of the fleet. Leo in his first ILCA 7 event showed his composure to separate from the fleet with Ollie to exploit the left shift and pressure. A closely contested run saw Leo lead around the leeward gate, and hold strong in the following 3 legs. Ollie managed to hold off James, who was on the charge.

Overall, a big thank you to all the race team and organisers for providing some exceptional racing in very tricky conditions. And thank you to our great sponsors for not only sponsoring this event but for supporting ILCAuk this season.

Overall Results:

PosSail NoHelmClubAge CategoryR1R2R3R4Pts
1st221509Oliver Allen‑WilcoxChew Valley SC / Parkstone Yacht ClubU21‑191124
2nd212907James FosterPoole YCA1‑147311
3rd221631Hamish CollingridgeWaldringfield SCU192‑154511
4th221582Leo YatesIsland Barn SCU19‑16210113
5th223070Alastair BrownGreat Moor SCA‑1343714
6th214007Jack Graham‑TrollRoyal Lymington Yacht ClubU2111‑122417
7th219907Nick WelbournHykeham SCA‑865617
8th223101Ewan McAnally A738‑1518
9th224740Joe RoweDraycote AcademyU1948‑151224
10th223460Henry RedmondCovenham SCU2110106‑1926
11th220633Stephen VideloWaldringfield SCM‑155121128
12th224297Sam GraytonNotts County SCU19127‑16928
13th221503Terry HackerAldeburgh YCU2151314‑1632
14th219655Edward BakerChew Valley Lake SCU213‑17171434
15th221236Archie BurtonBeaverU19618‑211034
16th215421Freddie SunderlandDraycote WaterU19‑28209837
17th204644Stuart HudsonRoyal Lymington YCM9‑21111737
18th215377Richard MajorGrafham Water SCM1711‑251341
19th222548Roger HakesParkstone Yacht ClubM1416‑302252
20th219658Will DysonDelph SCU19219‑272454
21st203965Oliver HirstScammonden Water Sailing ClubU19‑3019132355
22nd191871Phil BevanLyme Regis Sailing Club / Grafham WaterM20‑30241862
23rd208322David GaleGWSCM262318‑3172
24th201478Benjamin ReasonHarwich Town Sailing ClubA25‑33282073
25th216239Jamie BlakeGreat Moor SCA222626‑2874
26th219825David ReasonHarwich Town Sailing ClubM24‑35203377
27th220826Gordon RiddellDelph SCM‑3225232977
28th202094Rick HudsonGrafhamM182437(RET)79
29th221793Tom ThwaitesRoyal Norfolk & SuffolkU192922SCP(RET)81
30th218700Andy FoxLeigh & Lowton S C.M232732(RET)82
31st224548Robin PhippsParkstone Yacht ClubU19273719(RET)83
32nd215691William CooperDraycote WaterA‑3531352187
33rd197774Carl AveryBurton SCM‑3434292588
34th177453Simon OdlingDraycote Water SCM3129‑333292
35th128782Hugh Leach A‑3736312693
36th222757Simon Brown M‑3632342793
37th206856Owen EylesNLHSCU19‑3828363099
38th182990Josh ReasonHarwich town sailing clubU2133‑383834105
39th203527Felipe Garcia U1939(UFD)39RET120
40th219665James CurtisBosham Sailing ClubU21(DNC)DNCDNCDNC126
40th217532John ElderGrafham Water Sailing ClubM(DNC)DNCDNCDNC126

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