ILCAuk ILCA 7 Masters Inland Championship at Rutland Sailing Club
by Guy Noble 31 Oct 21:38 NZDT
26-27 October 2024
ILCA Masters Inlands at Rutland © Georgie Altham
In the days leading up to this final Masters event of 2024, the forecast was, at best, unpredictable. As the weekend neared, however, predictions started aligning — unfortunately, in a rather bleak direction. Yet, with typical optimism, over 70 sailors turned out, ready to race.
Years back, a curious sailor once asked the legendary yachting journalist John Roberson, aka "Robo," about the scene in the dinghy park. Robo's quick reply? "Knee-deep in bulls**t, old chap." After a week at the Masters Europeans in Vilamoura, it felt all too familiar. With no wind on Saturday, racing was canceled, though spirits remained high as sailors gathered for a "bangers and mash" dinner and a prize draw featuring exceptional items from sponsors — including Ovington Boats, Sailingfast, and multi-tools from Tideway Wealth.
Sunday dawned with slightly more promise, though it began under postponement. Finally, the wind stirred, sluggishly growing like the last 15 years of UK Government social housing projects. But by late morning, a gentle 4-7 knots allowed racing to commence.
Race 1 was a slow grind, with the right side paying off handsomely on the first beat. Tom Taylor from King George Sailing Club claimed victory, followed by Simon Odling in 2nd and Phil Bevan in 3rd, with Stephen James finishing a strong 6th.
Race 2 shifted towards the south shore, where local knowledge was crucial as the westerly wind funnelled down, adding some punch but also bringing tricky bends and shifts. Paul Davies, Guy Noble, and Joza Cic led the fleet initially, but Joza's penalty turn opened the way for Stephen Videlo to overtake Guy. The race wrapped up with Paul in 1st, Stephen 2nd, and Guy 3rd.
Race 3 saw a slightly steadier 8-10 knots. With three beats to navigate, Tom Taylor, having been OCS in Race 2, executed a flawless race to secure 1st, followed by Paul Davies and Alan Davis in 2nd and 3rd respectively. David Gale also showed his best form, finishing 4th.
Race 4 brought stronger conditions with most sailors hiking hard. With the discard in play, it was a showdown between Tom Taylor and Paul Davies. However, Stuart Hudson, hitting his stride, took control and dominated the race, with Tim Keighley finishing 2nd and Stephen Videlo 3rd. Paul's 7th and Tom's 4th were just enough for Tom to clinch the overall series win.
The age category winners were:
Apprentice Masters
1st Tom Tayor 1st (1st overall)
2nd Paul Davis (2nd overall)
3rd Stephen Videlo (3rd overall)
Masters
1st Martin Faray
Grand Masters
1st Alan Davis
Great Grand Masters
1st Guy Noble
This brings to a conclusion a tricky season of ILCA Masters events but sets things up nicely for next year. The Masters kicks off with a May outing to Parkstone - hopefully racing in the bay and then the Master Nationals in early June closely followed by the Europeans at Hayling. Check out ILCA.uk for more info.
Our great sponsors give these events a bit of pizazz, they help create a sense of occasion - so with this in mind we say Thank you sponsors and we look forward to next season.
Overall Results:
Pos | Nat | Sail No | Helm | Club | Age Category | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | Pts |
1st | GBR | 225617 | Tom Taylor | King George Sailing Club | AM | 1 | (OCS) | 1 | 4 | 6 |
2nd | GBR | 224542 | Paul Davies | | AM | 4 | 1 | 2 | ‑7 | 7 |
3rd | GBR | 220633 | Stephen Videlo | Waldringfield SC | AM | ‑8 | 2 | 5 | 3 | 10 |
4th | GBR | 221328 | Alan Davis | Parkstone Yacht Club | GM | 5 | ‑13 | 3 | 6 | 14 |
5th | | 191871 | Phil Bevan | Grafham | GM | 3 | ‑12 | 9 | 5 | 17 |
6th | GBR | 222201 | Guy Noble | Queen Mary SC | GGM | ‑18 | 3 | 6 | 10 | 19 |
7th | GBR | 204644 | Stuart Hudson | Royal Lymington YC | GM | 13 | 8 | ‑18 | 1 | 22 |
8th | GBR | 219895 | Martin Frary | HISC | M | 12 | 4 | 7 | ‑16 | 23 |
9th | GBR | 219650 | Tim Keighley | West Riding SC | M | 11 | ‑14 | 13 | 2 | 26 |
10th | | 221325 | Howard Green | | GM | ‑28 | 5 | 8 | 14 | 27 |
11th | | 223673 | Stuart Belfield | Leigh & Lowton SC | GM | ‑26 | 7 | 10 | 11 | 28 |
12th | | 212061 | Simon Hardiman | Bartley SC | M | 10 | 11 | ‑14 | 8 | 29 |
13th | GBR | 208322 | David Gale | GWSC | M | 9 | 17 | 4 | ‑27 | 30 |
14th | GBR | 177453 | Simon Odling | Draycote Water SC | AM | 2 | 9 | 21 | ‑30 | 32 |
15th | GBR | 215159 | Stephen James | Grafham Water SC | GM | 6 | 15 | 11 | ‑20 | 32 |
16th | CRO | 211870 | Joza Cic | Wembley SC | GM | ‑21 | 6 | 20 | 13 | 39 |
17th | GBR | 216543 | Marcellus Pryor | Draycote Water Sailing Club | GM | 16 | ‑27 | 15 | 9 | 40 |
18th | GBR | 219825 | David Reason | Harwich Town Sailing Club | GM | ‑27 | 10 | 19 | 19 | 48 |
19th | GBR | 137436 | Robert Gorrod | | M | 15 | (OCS) | 12 | 22 | 49 |
20th | GBR | 2000663 | Peter Crompton | Wembley | GGM | 17 | ‑22 | 17 | 17 | 51 |
21st | GBR | 170264 | Colin Dengate | Pennine SC | AM | 7 | 23 | 23 | ‑25 | 53 |
22nd | GBR | 221486 | John Elder | Grafham Water Sailing Club | M | 22 | ‑28 | 16 | 23 | 61 |
23rd | GBR | 218700 | Andy Fox | Leigh & Lowton S C. | GM | ‑32 | 21 | 22 | 18 | 61 |
24th | GBR | 222220 | Simon Cavey | Queen Mary SC | GM | 14 | 24 | ‑25 | 24 | 62 |
25th | GBR | 188783 | Nick Stoten | Mounts Bay SC | GM | ‑25 | 25 | 24 | 15 | 64 |
26th | FRA | 215492 | Andrew Hill‑Smith | Papercourt | GM | 19 | 16 | ‑29 | 29 | 64 |
27th | GBR | 220515 | Kevin Osman | | GGM | ‑29 | 26 | 28 | 12 | 66 |
28th | GBR | 212146 | Gareth Humphrey | Parkstone Yacht Club | GM | 23 | 18 | ‑26 | 26 | 67 |
29th | GBR | 167860 | Freddie Brasted‑Watts | Waldringfield Sailing Club | AM | 24 | 29 | ‑30 | 21 | 74 |
30th | GBR | 197774 | Carl Avery | Burton SC | GM | ‑30 | 20 | 27 | 28 | 75 |
31st | GBR | 209487 | Alan Holloway | Wembley SC | GM | ‑33 | 19 | 32 | 31 | 82 |
32nd | | 205187 | Michael Meaker | North Lincolnshire & Humberside Sailing | GM | 20 | 30 | ‑33 | 33 | 83 |
33rd | GBR | 207700 | Julian Wilkins | Chichester Yacht Club | GM | 31 | 31 | 31 | ‑32 | 93 |
34th | GBR | 183299 | Robert Jones | Hereford | GM | (DNC) | DNC | DNC | DNC | 111 |
34th | | 201939 | Ashley Deakin | Oxford SC | GM | (DNC) | DNC | DNC | DNC | 111 |
34th | GBR | 217179 | Matthew Fletcher | Queen Mary SC | GM | (DNC) | DNC | DNC | DNC | 111 |