Please select your home edition
Edition
V-DRY-X

ILCA Europeans set to kick off in the South of France

by Lisa Darmanin/Australian Sailing 16 Nov 2022 02:27 AEDT 14-21 November 2022
EurILCA Senior European Championships & Open European Trophy 2021 © EurILCA

The 2022 Senior European ILCA Championships are about to get under way in Hyeres, France, with both the ILCA 7 and ILCA 6 classes set to compete simultaneously.

It's been a tale of two seasons for the Australian ILCA 7 and ILCA 6 squads with the ILCA 7 sailors having a sporadic season of regattas whilst the ILCA 6 women have been back-to-back in their competition schedule

Technical Director of the Australian Sailing Team Michael Blackburn provided a snapshot of the ILCA squad's year so far. "Oddly, this year's major regattas are really strung out for our ILCA 7 sailors, with a Worlds in May and Europeans in November.

"Most of our ILCA 7 squad came away from the Worlds disappointed, so they were eager to head back to Europe and will look to finish the year on a high."

Blackburn continued, "Our ILCA 6 squad had a goal this year to ramp up their racing experience by competing at all major regattas. After spending spring-summer in Europe, they headed to the Worlds in Texas where they had some strong results, but they've also spotted key processes they'd like to continue working on in a big fleet."

Lead Australian ILCA 6 Squad Coach is Belgian Olympian, Carolijn Brouwer, who divides the coaching role with Assistant Coach Ben Walkemeyer, shared her thoughts on how the squad has progressed over the 2022 season.

"I am very proud of how far this squad has progressed in one year. Mara (Stransky) and Zoe (Thomson) were both finalists at the Australian Sailing Awards last week, with Mara taking home the trophy (for Australian Female Sailor of the Year) and Casey (Imeneo) and Elyse (Ainsworth) got a personal best at the recent World Championships in Houston.

"This is a real testament to the hard work the squad put in this year and I am confident the girls will put in a huge effort next week."

Newly crowned Australian Female Sailor of the Year Mara Stransky is looking to come out firing after having a short break following the World Championships just a few weeks ago.

Stransky shared, "I've had a bit of time out of the ILCA since the worlds, just maintaining fitness and getting on the water to wingfoil and sail some bigger boats. It's been so nice to get back in the little boat in some really fun, onshore, wavy conditions.

"Following the Worlds, I'm really looking to work on my decisiveness, I can't wait to get into it."

New South Welshman, Finn Alexander, is raring to get back on the race track after many months of hard training both domestically and overseas since their World Championships in Mexico back in May.

Looking ahead to this week's racing, conditions are expected to take a turn from the easterly winds the sailors have been preparing in. Alexander explained, "We have had some slightly unusual conditions for this time of year, warm weather and warm sea temperature have made a very mild start of European winter, but the typical mistral breeze is looking like it will push through, so there is potentially some windy racing coming our way."

Alexander added, "I am super keen to get back into racing after a pretty big break between regattas, I'm ready to let rip."

Twelve races are scheduled from the 16th to the 21st of November with three days of qualifying planned followed by the Final series.

Find out more at the event website: eurilca.eu/event/243

Australian Sailing Team (AST), Australian Sailing Squad (ASS) and other Australian (AUS) entries:

ILCA 6 (110 Boats)

  • Mara Stransky (AST)
  • Elyse Ainsworth (ASS)
  • Casey Imeneo (ASS)
  • Zoe Thomson (ASS)
  • Evie Saunders (ASF)
  • Paige Caldecoat (AUS)

ILCA 7 (177 Boats)

  • Zac Littlewood (AST)
  • Luke Elliott (AST)
  • Finn Alexander (ASS)
  • Ethan McAullay (ASS)
  • Sam King (ASF)

Related Articles

AST and B&G extend high-performing partnership
Continuing a collaboration that has been critical to the success of the team AST has announced the renewal of its long-term partnership with B&G, the world's leading sailing navigation and instrument specialists, continuing a collaboration that has been critical to the success of the team over the past eight years. Posted on 2 Jul
Australian Sailing welcomes new CEO
Malcolm Page OAM brings a wealth of experience to the role Australian Sailing is pleased to announce the appointment of respected sports administrator and dual Olympic gold medallist Malcolm Page OAM OLY as its new Chief Executive Officer. Posted on 1 Jul
Bronze breakthrough for Liddell and Brown
Nacra 17 duo claim their first international podium at Kieler Woche Brin Liddell and Rhiannan Brown have claimed their first international podium in the Nacra 17 class, securing bronze at Kieler Woche, the third Sailing Grand Slam event of the season. Posted on 30 Jun
Aussies Break into Top 10 at Kieler Woche
Put to the test from light air to heavy breeze The first half of Kieler Woche has wrapped up in Germany, with Australian sailors putting themselves to the test in five Olympic classes. Kiel delivered a complete spectrum of conditions for athletes to sharpen their racing skills. Posted on 26 Jun
Vale Hugh Treharne OAM
The Australian sailing community is mourning the passing of one of its greatest contributors The Australian sailing community is mourning the passing of one of its greatest contributors, Hugh Treharne OAM, who died peacefully surrounded by his loving family in Sydney last night. Posted on 25 Jun
Australian Sailors ready to tackle Kiel Week
The third event within the five event Sailing Grand Slam Australia's Olympic class sailors are set to tackle Kiel Week, the third event within the five event Sailing Grand Slam, held in the north of Germany. Posted on 21 Jun
Zhik and Australian Sailing renew partnership
For a fourth Olympic cycle Zhik and Australian Sailing are proud to celebrate over a decade of partnership, one built on innovation, elite performance and podium success. Since 2013, the collaboration has helped deliver four Olympic gold medals and four silver medals. Posted on 20 Jun
Top 10 finishes for Aussie crews in Europeans
Australia's 49er, 49erFX and Nacra 17 sailors have wrapped up a demanding week in Greece Australia's 49er, 49erFX and Nacra 17 sailors have wrapped up a demanding European Championships in Thessaloniki, Greece, with light winds, lengthy delays, and multiple general recalls pushing teams to their limits throughout the week. Posted on 9 Jun
Young Aussie squad ready to shine at Europeans
Australia's fast boat sailors are set for the 49er, 49erFX and Nacra 17 Europeans in Greece Australia's fast boat sailors are set to take on the 49er, 49erFX and Nacra 17 European Championships this week in Thessaloniki, Greece. With up to 18 races scheduled over the next six days, it's set to be a high-intensity regatta. Posted on 2 Jun
Event updates dominate this week's industry news
A summary of news relevant to businesses across Oceania The 36th annual Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show (SCIBS) has once again cemented its status as the Southern Hemisphere's premier marine event, drawing an impressive 45,865 visitors over four spectacular days from 22-25 May. Posted on 29 May
Cyclops Marine 2023 November - FOOTERSelden 2020 - FOOTERPantaenius Sail 2025 AUS Footer