The ILCA North Island Championships were held over the weeke3nd on 23-24 November as part of the Napier Sailing Club Summer Regatta. The ILCA 6 fleet was again very strong with 40 entrants and a high calibre of sailors making  for tough, close racing. Two Australian made their way over the ditch to compete which is something that we hope to see more of.

Day one was sailed in 7-12 knots from the North-east with oscillating shifts with the odd doozy right-hander making things interesting.  The wave state was a lot more civilised compared to  last year and resembled a typical East Coast Bays onshore. All fleets hammered out four races of circa 40mins which made for a long day. Day one saw master Phil Wild (MBSC) take the first race and string together another few top three placing to open up a comfortable lead over Aaron Begic (MBSC) and reigning national champion Naiomi Ferrissey (MBSC) who was in third after being BFD in race three. 
 
Sunday was postponed and eventually started in 6knots with sloppy sea state, with the breeze increasing a few clicks in the second race but building to 14-16 knots in race three. With the leaders emerging in the ILCA 6,  tactics came into play, opening up opportunities for the fleet especially in the first two races of the day.  However with the breeze settled in for the finale, Phil, Aaron and Naomi opening out on the rest of the fleet.  However a consistent performance from Australian Institute of Sport sailor, Fracis Bebe crowbarred her way onto the podium to take third overall ahead of Aaron with Naiomi Ferrissey (first Female)  in 2^nd and Phil Wild (1^st Master) winning overall with only one race outside the top three. Chloe Turner (MBSC) , who caught the red eye after receiving her YNZ excellence award on Friday night, deservedly claimed 1st female youth.
 
Special mentions to Tom Pilkington (MBSC/RNZYS), Australian Jackson Black (RQSC) and local sailor Rose Dicky (NSC) for winning races.

On both days the consistent front runners of the ILCA 7 fleet were George Pilkington (MBSC / RNZYS), Andrew Dellabaca (WBBC), Kris Decke (Whangarei) and Max Faulkner (TYPBC). The oscillating breeze gave us some classic yacht racing. And while George was challenged at times on the course, his consistency delivered 5 bullets from 7 races. Behind the leaders the generally light conditions, shifts & bumps mixed things up a bit. 

Napier Sailing Club put on a fantastic event with excellent race management which we have grown to take for granted.h

Jacob Fewtrell Media Photos

• Photos Day 1
• Photos Day 2

ILCA 6 Results

ILCA 7 Results