ILCA UK Youth Winter Trophy at Datchet Water Sailing Club - ILCA 4 fleet report

Last weekend saw the ILCA Youth Winter Championships which was first of the new ILCA Youth series events held at Datchet Water SC, with a strong entry for both the ILCA 6 and ILCA 4 fleets.

With a few of the top ILCA 4 sailors chancing their luck in the ILCA 6 fleet there was still a strong fleet of 34 ILCA 4s to jostle. The fleet was a mix of a few top 10 ranking sailors and some sailing in their first open meeting, so plenty of opportunity for sailors to achieve personal goals whatever their experience.

ILCA UK Youth Winter Trophy at Datchet Water Sailing Club - photo © James Harle

Saturday morning saw a dull, cloudy day with light winds and lots of large planes seemingly trying to just miss landing on the lake en route to nearby Heathrow.

Despite not much wind, the Race Officer wisely concluded that the wind was not likely to improve, so sent the fleet out to play 'hunt the breeze'.

ILCA UK Youth Winter Trophy at Datchet Water Sailing Club - photo © James Harle

A race track was quickly laid and suddenly 6 or 7 knots magically appeared from about 160 degrees at the start line. After a to be expected delay, due to the 6s needing a general recall, the 4s got away with one boat recalled under OCS; one of the top ranked sailors Ethan Rhodes was the unlucky sailor needing to return.

Callum Aldridge nailed the start along with one of the event favourites Chloe Grayton at the Committee boat end. Chloe showing everyone she is a class act in light winds stayed on starboard left into a left shift and tack to establish a massive lead to easily win, with SW Topper mates Tom Semmens and Felix Harle battling to take 2nd and 3rd.

ILCA UK Youth Winter Trophy at Datchet Water Sailing Club - photo © James Harle

Race 2 saw an even start with Chloe playing the right. Merry Lewis also did a great job early on. Chloe again established a lead via a right shift. Downwind Tom Semmens and Thomas Saunders took advantage of a gust to overtake Chloe as the wind almost collapsed to nothing. Tom led from Chloe and Thomas. With Chloe protecting the paying right hand side, she gained a lead upwind only to sail into less wind as she approached the mark, allowing Tom to stay in better pressure on the port lay line and sneak around in the lead. Tom then sailed clean downwind to take the win from Chloe with Felix moving up the fleet to finish again 3rd.

Overnight saw Tom lead on count back from Chloe and Felix.

Sunday dawned to a heavy frost, frozen mainsheets, clear blue sunny skies but no wind at all. With the RO Jane Sunderland keen to get racing her hand was forced into an AP ashore.

ILCA UK Youth Winter Trophy at Datchet Water Sailing Club - photo © James Harle

As the club racing started as a drifting match, things were looking ominous. But the Race Officer's optimism paid off as we waited for midday to launch and as if by magic 7 or 8 kts came from 190 degrees. A pin end biased start line and very shifty first beat mixed things up. Early leader Alanna Starkie was followed by Alexa Atkins. Downwind a big left shift that caused the 6s to be abandoned came in, but the RO considered the 4s course was still fair so the 4s sailed on. With a big biased gate and a very one sided beat Felix Harle nailed it to establish a massive lead and sailed off into the distance for a big win. Thomas Saunders sailed well to get into 2nd with Chloe, Tom and Jake Davies in the mix behind.

With time running out before the 14.30 cut off time a 4th race started meaning a discard was likely and either Felix, Chloe or Tom could win. Another shifty race ensued and the first shift to the left. Phillipa Knights had a storming first beat to lead at mark 1 from Thomas Saunders, The ever consistent Chloe 3rd at mark 1, finished the event as she started the event and showed a masterclass of light winds speed and intelligent tactics to win the race for a well deserved event win. Phillipa hanging on for a fantastic 2nd place, Thomas Saunders sealing a very solid second day to come 3rd, Ethan Rhodes had his best race coming 4th and Jai Mutreja also having his best race in 5th to finish top home club sailor Tom just doing enough to hold off Felix for 2nd overall and first boy. Also well done to those doing their first event.

ILCA UK Youth Winter Trophy at Datchet Water Sailing Club - photo © James Harle

Thanks to our sponsors: Harken, Rooster and Ovington. And a special thanks to TracTrac. And Bluesky for their support.

A massive thanks to ILCA UK for starting the Youth series initiative, to Paul Rawlings for organising this, despite having never been to Datchet before. To the club who were very friendly, especially their catering team who were immense, and to the volunteers. Thanks to TracTrac tracking system for providing the post-race analysis entertainment. Finally, thanks to the Race Officers Paul Jackson and Jane Sunderland who did a great job.

Overall Results:

Watch the races here at tractrac.com/event-page/event_20250201_ILCAUKYout/3094