Please select your home edition
Edition
sMRT AIS Man Overboard Beacons AUS / NZ

2022 ILCA 7 Men's World Championship presented by Paradise Village Group at Vallarta, Mexico - Day 1

by ILCA 24 May 2022 14:24 AEST 23-28 May 2022
2022 ILCA 7 Men's Worlds day 1 © John Pounder / www.jldigitalmedia.net

The opening day of the 2022 ILCA 7 Men's World Championship under the hot Mexican sun on the Banderas Bay, where 126 sailors began their hard road for the gold. Racing is due to take place every day until 28 May 2022.

The fleet is split into the two fleets, where 63 sailors in each fleet will sail the first 3 days the Qualification series, followed by the Final series where the best half of the fleet will compete in Gold fleet and other part in Silver fleet.

As usual for this time of the year on Banderas Bay, the best wind comes around noon so the races are scheduled to start at 1300 every day. Nice and stable breeze today with 12 knots of wind allowing the fleets to start their first race without any recalls and delays.

There was a little drama when one of the 'hot-shots' Matt Wearn from Australia had to return back ashore before the first start as he did not feel well. With only one drop allowed from the qualifying series the current Olympic champion has put himself in a difficult position.

In race 1, Luke Elliott from Australia took the first win in the regatta in front of Jonatan Vadnai from Hungary and George Gautrey from New Zealand in Yellow fleet.

In Blue fleet, Just Van Aanholt from Aruba finished first after leading at all marks in front of Nik Aaron Willim from Germany and Filip Jurišic from Croatia. After the race Just said: "My coach told me to work on the right side of the first leg but I felt there was a shift from the left which I decided to sail" proving the decision correct by leading at the top mark.

For the second start the race committee changed the course axis and length due to a strengthening wind that shifted 15 degrees. At this time the sailors were too aggressive at the starting line with the race committee recalling both fleet starts under U flag. Both fleets started then cleanly under the Black flag.

In second race the winners changed so in Yellow fleet Joaquin Blanco Albalat from Spain won the race in front of Jonatan Vadnai from Hungary and Jean-Baptiste Bernaz from France.

Results after Day 1: (top three, 2 races)

Yellow fleet
1. Jonatan Vadnai HUN
2. George Gautrey NZL
3. William De Smet BEL

Blue fleet
1. Tonci Stipanovic CRO
2. Nik Aaron Willim GER
3. Filip Jurišic CRO

Full results at www.sailwave.com/results/vyc/ILCA7Mens2022.htm

Tomorrow, on the second racing day, two races are scheduled for both fleets with the first possible warning signal at 1300.

Related Articles

Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta day 4
ILCA 6 & 7, Men's & Women's Formula Kite and 470 Mixed Teams Wrap Up The racing for the first 5 classes of the Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta wrapped up with a twist in conditions and breeze just to mix it up for the competitors. Posted on 17 Jul
Strong start on LA waters for Australian Sailors
A valuable week of racing at the Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta Australia's top Olympic class sailors have wrapped up a valuable week of racing at the Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta in California, gaining firsthand experience at the future venue of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. Posted on 17 Jul
Sail Canada Regional Championships Preview
More than 300 young Canadian sailors in action this weekend across the country More than 300 young Canadian sailors will be in action this weekend as Sail Canada will present its three regional championships: Sail East at St. Margaret Sailing Club, Sail Central at Hudson Yacht Club and Sail West at Gimli Yacht Club. Posted on 16 Jul
North ILCA UK circuit at Pennine
A great leveller between the ILCA 6 and ILCA 7 Ten visitors spanning from Carsington to West Kirby joined sixteen club members for the Pennine Sailing Club ILCA open, which also formed part of the ILCA UK North Grand Prix series. Posted on 16 Jul
Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta day 3
Mother Nature teases the competitors Mother Nature teased the competitors today and made them wait a bit, but she did not disappoint; the sun came out and a big westerly built to 18-20 knots! Posted on 15 Jul
Excellent Olympic Season Openers for GP Watercraft
Bermudan ILCA sailors enjoy a strong start to the season! The first two Olympic events of 2025 proved a very positive start to the season for GP Watercraft and their Bermudan ILCA sailors: Sebastian Kempe (ILCA 7) and Adriana Penruddocke (ILCA 6) who are both coached by Shaun Priestley of GP Watercraft. Posted on 15 Jul
Laserfest at Whitstable
Event attracts entries from as far as Yorkshire Laserfest, Whitstable Yacht Club's celebration of Laser/ILCA racing took place last weekend with a strong entry of 40 boats. Laserfest o attracted entries from as far as Yorkshire together with a range of more local clubs. Posted on 15 Jul
Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta day 2
Classic Long Beach conditions return The weather conditions at the Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta shifted noticeably today, delivering the classic Long Beach breeze that many expect from this world-class venue. Posted on 14 Jul
ILCAs at Notts County
With complementary watermelon for after-racing hydration A lovely warm and sunny day greeted 26 ILCA sailors at Notts County Sailing Club on 12th of July 2025. The wind was from a steady light south east breeze with occasional 14 mph gusts. Posted on 14 Jul
2025 Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta kicks off
The first week of the OCR includes five Olympic classes The highly anticipated 2025 Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta officially commenced on Saturday, 12 July, marking the beginning of Olympic campaigns since the venues were announced. Posted on 14 Jul
North Sails Loft 57 PodcastRooster 2025Excess Catamarans