ILCA.nz 2026 Chairman’s Report
I am again pleased to be able to report on a season of success for New Zealand ILCA sailing and sailors, both at home and abroad.
There have again been many highlights for the year, but some standouts for me were:
The most amazing ILCA 7 fleet at BOI for the Nationals, with an incredible field of international sailors and such a great atmosphere.
Chloe Turner ‘s multiple podium finishes in international ILCA 6 Youth contests.
George Gautrey’s continuing success on the world stage in the ILCA 7, and lots of our other sailors competing successfully on the world stage.
The strength and depth of our ILCA 6 youth fleet and the number of those sailors who competed internationally.
The confirmation of Takapuna as host for the 2028 ILCA 6 and 7 World championships.
Locally, we were again fortunate to have a wonderful host with Bay of Islands Yacht Club for another very successful Nationals. It is extraordinary the effort clubs put in every year for us in hosting our Nationals, and thanks to all the sailors and parents who travel the country to support and make the events such a success annually, and of course congratulations to all our new National Champions! I trust that we will again see strong support for the 2027 contest at Worser Bay next January.
It continues to be encouraging to see the continued strength of the class at Youth level, reflecting the trends worldwide. It was also good to see a strong Master’s representation at the Masters Worlds in Greece and equally important to be able to welcome new faces joining the Masters fleet around the country.
The NI and SI champs in November were both well supported, as was the NI Freshwater Championship in Taupo at the end of the season. Both the NI events will be held at the same venues this season.
We will be continuing with our pre-Nationals free coaching sessions. We are modifying the free entry for first timers this year to be more targeted but will continue to look at initiatives to encourage participation at all levels.
We had two ILCA 4 sailors compete in Australia through the Oceania ILCA4 solidarity program last season and again have 2 places in the program this year. The successful candidates will be announced shortly.
Financially ILCA.nz continued the pattern of recent years with a satisfactory year, and the Association remains in good financial health.
This year we completed the updating of our constitution, as required by the recent law changes.
Internationally the class continues to be successful at all levels. We have a new chair of ILCA this year, Mark Lyttle from the UK, an ex Olympic sailor who is focussed on continuing the classes success and is looking to introduce a number of new initiatives to foster growth in the class at all levels. The commercial dispute that has developed between ILCA and PSA in Australia, is unfortunately yet to be resolved, but ILCA is continuing to work hard to resolve this without serious negative implications for the class.
Thanks to the committee, and again especially Mike and Phil for all the hard work they have continued this year.
As I have flagged previously, I am not standing for re-election as ILCA.nz chair this year. I think 20 years is plenty for you all to put up with me. I would like to thank everyone that I have worked with since I joined the committee for their assistance, cooperation, input and inspiration. I am also stepping down from the ILCA World Council this year. I have enjoyed both roles immensely and now look forward to observing the continued success of the class both in NZ and internationally from the sidelines.
As always, we are keen to have anyone interested join the committee or propose or discuss any ILCA issue. You are always welcome to contact any member of the committee via the ILCA.nz website e mail contacts.
Thanks
Nick Page
Chair ILCA.nz