At the RYA Dinghy & Watersports Show 2026, the marine gear community was treated to a presentation on the latest innovation by Harken UK: an advanced and efficient ILCA kicker. This innovative piece of marine gear showcases the evolution of the ILCA kicker from its origin as a simplistic 3:1 purchase system to a highly sophisticated racing component.
Harken Professional, David Brown, delighted the audience with a tour around the advanced features of the new Harken ILCA (which is also referred to as a Laser kicker or vang system). One of the major highlights of the new system is the inclusion of Harken Zircon blocks - known as the most efficient, low-friction, and high-load racing blocks for small boats.
With its unveiling, the Harken ILCA kicker promises to revolutionize marine racing gear, pointing towards an exciting future of sailing marked by phenomenal technological advancement and superior performance on the water.
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What this means on the water
This story matters only if it helps sailors, owners, clubs, marinas and readers make better decisions afloat or ashore. The new point should be the named event, result, boat, notice, place or change in the report above, not the shine around it. Old Sea Dogs treats press releases and organiser statements as a starting point, then looks for the practical detail: dates, entry rules, berthing, costs, crew impact, safety notes and what readers should check next. What remains uncertain is the usual waterfront mix of weather, final notices, availability, pricing and how a claim holds up once people arrive. Use this piece as a pointer, then check the linked source before making plans.
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