Rooster ILCA open meeting at Stokes Bay Sailing Club

Rooster ILCA open meeting at Stokes Bay © SBSC

Stokes Bay Sailing Club hosted their first ILCA open meeting for several years and were rewarded with an entry of 33 boats.

18 ILCA 7s were greeted finally with some sun and what looked like light wind conditions but forecasted to increase through the day. It was great to have a mix of ages from the Student contingent, to those who's Uni experience was more 1980's and 1990's.

As the day progressed, competitors experienced classic Solent wind-against-tide conditions as the wind built to a perfect 15 Knots. This provided plenty of downwind action and determined the outcome of "most of the races". We also benefited from the tide shortening the beats on the lengthy but well set outer trapezoid course. Many thanks to Commodore Carl as Race Officer and Race Team.

Rooster ILCA open meeting at Stokes Bay - photo © SBSC

Race 1

Much excitement built at the pin end, with the bulk of competitors making a quick flick onto Port. As per all races the top 5 or 6 all arrived at the windward mark within 10 or so boat lengths.

The big moves were made downwind with Leo Yates and Nick Harrison pulling through the bunch. By the end of the race Leo had pulled out a significant lead with Nick in second and Mark Lyttle in 3rd.

Race 2

The wind continued to build to the perfect 15 knots. The waves had built nicely to provide the racetrack conditions that Stokes Bay is renowned for. Again, the leading bunch all arrived together, but this time with Andy Le Grice showing excellent upwind speed and having a bit of a lead at the windward mark Leo again pulled away again to a big lead, but this time it was Mark's turn to show some downwind magic and finish in second with a consistent Julien Rohart in 3rd.

Rooster ILCA open meeting at Stokes Bay - photo © SBSC

Race 3

For Race 3 the perfect conditions continued. The start had a bit of excitement, well actually quite a lot, due to a little bit of port bias and "tide with" fun. The trend continued with Andy leading at the windward mark. I'm not sure of the details but Leo had some form of gear failure that slowed him slightly but with victory already gained he cruised round anyway?

By the end Mark had extended nicely to take the win with Leo in 2nd and Nick pulling through the fleet to take 3rd.

So overall Leo took the win, with Mark and Nick following. Must include Julien, Chris Ellyatt, Martin Frary and Andy who were always in touch, but perhaps a little more downwind work needed?

Rooster ILCA open meeting at Stokes Bay - photo © SBSC

The ILCA 6 with an entry of 15 boats was dominated by Charlotte Videlo with 3 firsts. In the first race Charlotte dominated the race with a clear win, leaving second place to be hotly contested with Thomas Saunders coming out on top with Ethan Rhodes third.

The second race saw Thomas Saunders make a very good start and had a clear lead up the first beat. Charlotte rounded the first mark well down but with good downwind speed managed to recover and take the race win from Thomas and third Ethan.

The last race saw Marshall King risk all on a Port start flyer and was rewarded with a big lead up the first beat, Charlotte again using her downwind speed managed to overhaul Marshall by the end of the second lap, and then promptly capsized at the leeward mark handing the lead back to Marshall.

Charlotte managed to again overtake Marshall on the last run and take the race win and the overall win. Second overall was Thomas and third Marshall and fourth Ethan.

A special thanks must go to Rooster Sailing for providing the prizes for the event.

Rooster ILCA open meeting at Stokes Bay - photo © SBSC

ILCA 6 Results:

ILCA 7 Results: