The success of what became the first major event held last summer, was echoed in clubs up and down the country, as people who sail 2-handed dinghies could not race with their crew. They got the ILCA they keep ‘just in case’ and reminded themselves why they had kept her as they enjoyed the ‘purity’ of single handed one design fleet racing. While we all adapted to this Covid world there was much going on in the background. Our new builder in the UK, Ovington, produced their first boat and all at the Nationals admired their work, with more than a few placing orders! Having mentioned that the Nationals saw more Masters sailors and more club sailors than for many a year, we also had Team GBR, our very best sailors, grounded due to Covid, who all turned up for some match practice and showed us why they are in the squad and we are not. I also think they engaged with us mere mortals and represented elite sailing with pride.
how much we miss racing when we can’t do it. Only a couple more months' boat bimbling and then, with luck, with a vaccine, and a following wind we might get back on a start line – we all deserve it. The other thing this Covid thing has taught us is how much we all rely on others and sailboat racing is no different. Without the many volunteers, from those who lay the marks to Race Officers, we can't go sailing without your selfless help – Thank you. Of course UKLA needs more volunteers there are many things we are not doing for members or we could do better, but we don’t have the resource – please get in touch if you feel you can put something back into this beautiful sport. Until we can get afloat again, most of us will be tuned into The America's Cup in Auckland. Amazing where sailing our class can take you.
Team GBR then went to Poland and won all the silverware. Great to see GBR dominance of the podium in the STD rig. We are all itching to go racing and whilst as I write this our Spring Qualifiers look ‘at risk’, by the summer I hope we will be able to enjoy what is a packed UKLA programme. Whether you are on the Olympic pathway or are determined to win your club's mid-week series, what this Horrible time has taught us is
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