Age-Old Prowess Meets Fresh Ambition: Inside the 2025 UK Nationals and A-Cat European Championships

Drawing nearly 120 entries, the 2025 ILCAUK Masters Nationals was proudly hosted by Hayling Island Sailing Club. The three days of unmatched sailing battle saw competitors deliver exceptional racing in challenging conditions. From seasoned veterans to freshly minted 30-year-olds, the event was a striking display of the enduring spirit that unites the sailing community. Claude Tigier set a shining example, boldly racing at an enchanting age of 90.

Intertwining Olympic medalists, world title holders, and passionate weekend sailors, the event was a triumphant testament to the ILCA community’s shared love of sailing and competition. Such a spectacle serves to remind us—as we anticipate the Masters Europeans—that every sailor belongs, regardless of their background.

Traveling to Riccione, Italy—the host of the A-Class Cat European Championships—places were switched briskly in the 4th and 5th races. Both delighting and frustrating in equal parts, the light, minimal conditions changed the game for many racers. The key to staying on top is resisting the unpredictable currents that may catch even the best sailors off-guard.

As we recount these historic events, we are reminded—time and again—that the story of sailing is a testament to the indomitable human spirit. Both events underline sailing’s timeless allure, inviting everyone from seasoned veterans to young aspirants, to test their mettle and raise their sails under one, unified love of the ocean.