Last weekend the ILCA 2026 NSW & ACT Metro Championships were hosted by Manly Yacht Club, with 80 sailors from across the Harbour converging to race on the Sound.
Saturday saw light and lumpy conditions, the ESE to E wind never above 8 knots and some residual swell shook things up and tested the fleets light air skills. As always, the harbor presented some unique challenges with sailors having to contend with 16ft skiffs, commuter ferries, the usual crow of weekend warriors and a cruise ship just to mx things up. RO Andrew McLachlan and the Manly YC team were successful in completing all three scheduled races run albeit after a long day on the racetrack.
Sunday presented excellent sailing conditions with 15-18 NE breeze all day with a mix of wind chop and continuing swell rolling through.
RPAYC was represented in the ILCA 4s and 7s, and spectators were rewarded with some seriously close racing and some great results for the RPAYC contingent.
In the ILCA 4s, the overall win went to Ethan Wilkinson (HHSC) , chased by RPAYC sailors Ruben Steel, competing in his 1st ILCA regatta, in 2nd . Lily Zahab finished with a commendable 7th overall and 2nd female. Clifford Gates was close behind in 8th.
In the ILCA 6s, Sylvie Stannage (HHSC/WSC/DBSC) stamped her authority with a picket fence scorecard to take out 1st place overall.
In the ILCA 7s, a close battle at the pointy end with Julian Taylor (DBSC) taking out the win ahead of RPAYC sailors Alexander Bijkerk 3rd, Charlie Byford 6th and Stuart Holdsworth in 9th.
Good luck and good sailing to Sylvie Stannage, Evie Saunders, Julian Taylor and Alexander Bijkerk who are travelling to Europe to compete in the ILCA regatta circuit.
Justin Steel
