2025 ILCA UK National Open 2 at the WPNSA - ILCA 6 fleet report

The second National Open of 2025 for the ILCA 6 fleet took place at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy (WPNSA), drawing sailors from across the UK, including competitors from as far as Scotland.

The event saw a wide variety of sailors, from beginners testing their skills to athletes from the British Sailing Team. The fleet was an impressive 80 boats, which also led to a very long start line, as visible on the online tracking system.

2025 ILCA UK National Open 2 at the WPNSA - photo © Lotte Johnson / www.lottejohnson.com

Day 1

Day 1 greeted competitors with blue skies and a south-easterly gradient breeze of around 8 knots, the race committee opted to race in the bay, where the breeze remained consistent, though there was a small underlying swell.

Race 1: The race got off to a rocky start with several recalls due to the committee bias start line, which made it easier for sailors to be OCS (On Course Side). Once under way, the right-hand side of the course emerged as the favoured side, with more pressure and a small bend on approach. Molly Sacker dominated the race, breaking away from the tightly packed group at the first mark and maintaining the lead throughout. Daisy Collingridge followed in second, with Matilda Nicholls securing third.

Race 2: The second race mirrored the first, with the right-hand side again providing the best advantage. However, it was Matilda Nicholls who led the charge this time, with Archie Munro-Price in close pursuit. After a thrilling final downwind leg, Molly Sacker finished in third, showing great speed and determination.

Race 3: Pre-start conditions saw an unexpected left shift, which prompted many sailors to try starting at the pin end. Unfortunately, this tactic backfired, as the wind quickly returned to the right, leaving those on the left side struggling. The race was largely dominated by youth sailors, with Archie Munro-Price breaking away to take the win. Freddie Sunderland finished in second, followed by Thomas Bates in third.

2025 ILCA UK National Open 2 at the WPNSA - photo © Lotte Johnson / www.lottejohnson.com

Day 2

Day 2 brought completely different weather conditions, with a strong, cold northerly breeze filling in. Racing in the harbour was tricky, as the breeze remained unstable and dropped in strength throughout the day.

Race 1: A heavily biased port start line defined the first race of the day. Big shifts on the second upwind leg helped Jon Emmett rocket back into contention, but after a strong downwind leg, it was Matilda Nicholls who took the lead, followed by Jon Emmett in second and Leo Yates in third. Top ten performances in this race also came from Nathan Russell, Poppy Luxton, Lewis Bacon and Samson Cross.

Race 2: Race two proved to be just as shifty, with two distinct bands of pressure - one on the left and a more central right band. The fleet split early, but as the left band moved in at the top, it allowed the left group to cross ahead. Matilda Nicholls took her second victory of the day, followed by Toby Waggett in second and Archie Munro-Price in third.

Race 3: The final race of the day was marked by a significant wind hole in the middle of the course, trapping several sailors. Leo Yates led the race from the start, with Freddie Sunderland and Matilda Nicholls hot on his heels.

2025 ILCA UK National Open 2 at the WPNSA - photo © Lotte Johnson / www.lottejohnson.com

The 2025 ILCA 6 National Open 2 proved to be an event with two very different conditions, from the stable breezes of Day 1 to the unpredictable shifts of Day 2. Sailors needed to adapt to the different conditions and show consistency to success in this regatta.

Series and Event Sponsors: Noble Marine, Sailingfast, Rooster, Ovington Boats, Trac Trac/Blue Sky, Tideway Wealth.

Interviews with Competitors on the ILCA UK Facebook Page
TracTrac Race Tracking

Overall Results: