Light winds and long waits mark Day 1 of the 2026 ILCA Master Europeans

The 2026 ILCA Master European Championships got under way today at La Baule, with racing running through to Friday 25th. Light and shifty winds of 4-8 knots and flat water were the main conditions on Pouliguen Bay, and they made for a long day on the water.

Start procedures began at 11:00 on both courses. Persistent wind shifts and general recalls slowed the schedule, and much of the day was spent waiting on the water. The ILCA 7 course completed its two scheduled races at around 15:00, and the fleet was back ashore by around 15:15.

Christoph Marsano AUT, sailing in the ILCA 7, summed up the day: “Difficult conditions today. In the second race it was hard to find the shift, but it came from the landside, so I was lucky to be second at the first upwind.” Asked about his first race, he replied: “I don’t know, I didn’t count. I never count more than three. I think something about ten.”

Thomas Mueller GER, also in the ILCA 7, found the lack of pressure the hardest part: “The racing was very difficult because it was so light, especially the second race. There was hardly any pressure after the start, so it was terribly difficult to keep the patience and stay focused, and just do job after job, or attack after attack. It was kind of nerve-racking today. The first race was much easier, a little bit more pressure. But of course, great outcome. I can’t complain, to be honest.”

On how much luck is needed on a day like this, he said: “You need a good portion of luck. You always need it, but on a day like that, anything can happen. A good start is always good, a little bit of free breeze after the start, so you can make at least some choices. But of course, a lot of things need to come together.”

The ILCA 6 fleet had to wait longer to begin its second set of races. The breeze picked up right after 15:00, but only the Legend category (White fleet) managed to complete two races. All the other ILCA 6 categories completed one race. The ILCA 6 fleet came ashore at around 16:30.

Roberta Hartley GBR, who sails in the ILCA 6 Women’s fleet and has been sailing Lasers for 50 years, put her result down to good fortune: “I was very lucky in that race. I was at the right end of the line and a massive shift, which I was able to tack onto. I think I was third round the first mark and third round the next mark, and then managed to pull into second on the second beat and then held it to the line. But yeah, it was all luck. It’s very shifty, very up and down.”

She also encouraged more women to join future championships: “Of course, a long way to go. I think you should come along. It’s good fun. It’s a lovely venue, great fun on the water. There are 24 women here, which is good, and we need to show the men that we’re as good as they are. But it was very lucky today.”

Sailors from both fleets were welcomed back at Yacht Club de La Baule with a delicious pasta meal.

Racing tomorrow is scheduled for 12:30.

How to follow / Useful links

Report by Agustín Argüelles | Photos by Thom Touw – EurILCA.