Please select your home edition
Edition
Vaikobi 2024 December

Northern ILCA Grand Prix at Delph Sailing Club

by Gordon Riddell 6 Apr 05:33 BST 5 April 2025

Delph SC hosted the first event of the Northern ILCA Grand Prix circuit on Saturday 5th April. The event was bathed in glorious sunshine, with a strong gusty wind to welcome the 24 competitors from as far afield as Carsington to the South and Blackpool and Fleetwood to the North.

The event had a reunion feel to it, with many sailors getting back onto the competitive circuit and enjoying the start of the season. A number of sailors had battled it out at Leigh & Lowton's winter series, but for some it was the first event on the circuit.

The 17 visitors arrived at the club to a cold and strong wind, with discussion as to the rig to use, or whether to sail at all. Delph SC has been host to some single Hander training over the winter, and some who had attended came back to race.

The OD, Andy Taylor Delph's new Commodore, got the racing off on time setting a square line which encouraged the sailors to spread out, but it didn't stop the fleet from pushing the line which led to a general recall. The racing restarted, this time under the U flag, which was a new experience for 4 sailors who started with a minute to go and were duly punished.

The first beat saw the young Delph sailor, Will Taylor, lead the fleet to the windward mark in his ILCA6 and went on to win the race, only 30 seconds behind Tim Keighley, from West Riding, who was sailing a full rig. Local knowledge paid off, and Will took the win followed by Wendy Jones, from Dovestones, in an ILCA4 on handicap.

After a brief break for lunch of soup and cake, the fleet was off again for 2 back to back races. Race 2 saw a close finish of the top 4 who broke away and then extended a lead from the following pack. The race was won on the water by Tim, followed 30 seconds later by Andy Fox from Leigh & Lowton, Malcolm Marsden from Blackpool & Fleetwood all sailing ILCA7s but they were denied by Gordon Riddell from Delph sailing an ILCA6. Positions 2 to 4 were separated by 3 seconds.

By race 3 a number of sailors had decided to test out the new showers, which had been installed over the winter, the bar, which had its choice of award winning beers, and the friendly atmosphere of the club house. The remaining 15 sailors raced in what had been forecast to be a dropping breeze, but which seemed stronger. Tim was OCS but didn't return and the fleet battled it out over 3 laps, before the OD shortened to send everyone ashore. The race was won on the water by another Delph sailor, Will Dyson, but no one had done enough to beat Wendy on handicap and she took the honours in the last race.

Wendy was first overall at the event, with Will Taylor in second and Tim Keighley in third.

The prize-giving, sponsored by Rooster, was completed with Easter eggs for the Youth sailors from Pennine, Carsington and Delph. Special prize of a Rooster flags boat sticker was awarded to Paul Heath, from Leigh & Lowton, who was one one of the early starters under the U flag in race 1.

The event was a success due to the competitive Northern circuit and the friendships which have been fostered between the Northern clubs. The Northern ILCA GP circuit has 16 events this year, including a 2 day Northern Championships on 30-31st August at Leigh & Lowton. If you want to experience some Northern hospitality you need look no further than the ILCA Northern circuit.

Related Articles

22nd Budget Marine Antigua ILCA Open
17 sailors from Antigua, St Vincent and British Virgin Islands (BVI) compete Last Saturday and Sunday at Falmouth Harbour in Antigua was the 22nd Budget Marine Antigua ILCA Open. Organized by the Antigua Yacht Club, the event brought together 17 sailors from Antigua, St Vincent and British Virgin Islands (BVI). Posted on 28 Mar
2027 Performance Sailcraft ILCA Under-21 Worlds
Up to 200 sailors are expected to compete at Sandringham YC The International Laser Class Association has awarded the right to conduct the 2027 ILCA Under-21 World Championships to ILCAVic in Melbourne, Australia. Posted on 13 Mar
ILCA Women's Coaching at Queen Mary
24 benefit from event on International Women's Day The sun came out for 24 ILCA sailors on International Women's Day as the ILCA Women's Coaching Programme returned to Queen Mary on Saturday 8th March. Happily QM gave everyone complementary sunglasses to cope with the glare! Posted on 11 Mar
Entry Open for the Suzuki ILCA Masters Europeans
Suzuki joins an outstanding line-up of sponsors EurILCA, and Hayling Island Sailing Club (HISC) are thrilled to announce that Suzuki will be the title sponsor for the 2025 SUZUKI ILCA Masters European Championships, taking place at Hayling Island Sailing Club from 14th to 20th June 2025. Posted on 24 Feb
ILCA's Path to a Sustainable Future
As the world evolves, so must the Class The original innovative design and construction techniques of the ILCA dinghy have endured through the decades, with over 227,000 boats built, allowing us to race with the same boat our parents used when they were our age. Posted on 16 Feb
2025 ILCA Thailand National Championships
Italian Olympian Lorenzo Brando Chiavarini snatches ILCA 7 gold On the final day of racing at the 2025 ILCA Thailand National Championships, Italian Olympian Lorenzo Brando Chiavarini snatched ILCA 7 gold, with Australians Zac Littlewood and Ethan McAullay taking silver and bronze. Posted on 10 Feb
Increasing ILCA class female participation
The Australian ILCA class has continued to show growth The Australian ILCA class has continued to show growth in participation by females in the ILCAs, Australia's most popular single handed dinghy class, at the Oceania and Australian Open and Youth Championships sailed in early January. Posted on 21 Jan
Daisy Collingridge talk on Women in Sailing
British Sailing Team and ILCA sailor inspiring change Over 70 sailors from as far away as Bough Beech in Kent and Rutland SC descended on London Corinthian SC in West London to join Daisy Collingridge from the British Sailing Team to talk about Women in Sailing. Posted on 12 Dec 2024
Positive Waves of Change for Sailing in Orkney
Already experiencing the transformative legacy of the Orkney 2025 Games Orkney is already experiencing the transformative legacy of the Orkney 2025 Games, with a surge in interest in sailing setting a course for the sport's growth in the islands. Posted on 4 Dec 2024
ILCAs at Draycote Water
Combination of Olympic sail and 1972 hull brings deep joy Following recent weeks disappointing wind for several large events 16th November at Draycote Water seemed to be the place to be for all ILCA sailors in the Midlands. There was a reasonable entry of 44 Sailors looking forward to stretching their legs. Posted on 22 Nov 2024