ILCA Masters return from a drift off in Italy

Three WBBC members — Paul Thomas, Andrew Dellabarca, and Rob

Woodward — joined three other New Zealand sailors to compete among a massive fleet of 450 ILCA sailors from around the globe at the ILCA Masters World Championships in Formia, Italy. Rob Woodward sent in this report

Competition and Conditions

The ILCA Masters World Championships offered an unforgettable sailing experience for all three of us. The regatta consisted of a 12-race series on the Tyrrhenian Sea, between Rome and Naples. Air temperature was 23-30 and water temperature was 26 degrees. Many competitors arrived early to secure their charter boats before the practice race, where Paul Thomas impressed with a 6th place finish. The first official race took place on Monday, 22nd September, with the fleet split into three courses of 150 boats each. Just reaching the start lines often took up to an hour.

Wind conditions were light throughout the regatta — averaging 6 knots, peaking rarely at 11–13 knots. These conditions favoured European sailors accustomed to navigating shifty breezes and made strategic decisions crucial. Competitors often had to anticipate wind pressure lines coming from unexpected directions.

Sailors spent 4–6 hours a day on the water, racing for seven consecutive days. Despite the long hours afloat, two days produced no racing — one due to torrential rain and lightning that created white-out conditions with no wind, an eerie and surreal moment for all.

Getting ashore was a mission!!!

Life Ashore

After racing, chaos ensued as 450 boats funneled into just three small ramps, with sailors from 38 nations navigating both physical and linguistic challenges. Identifying the correct trolley for each boat was soon abandoned as an impossible task! One evening, Paul Thomas’s fleet even returned under navigation lights. The regatta wasn’t only about sailing. Highlights included a spectacular gala dinner featuring 20 Italian food stations, fine wines, and the chance to reconnect with old friends in

a stunning coastal setting.

Results

• Andrew Dellabarca: 25th in Gold Fleet (out of 91)

• Rob Woodward: 34th in Gold Fleet (out of 91)

• Paul Thomas: 33rd in Great Grand Master Fleet (out of 44)

A special mention goes to the Legends Fleet, where two sailors aged 87 and 89 years old

completed all 12 races — a remarkable reminder that age is no barrier in dinghy sailing.

Looking Ahead

The WBBC team has returned inspired and is now looking forward to the upcoming WBBC windy season to stretch their legs and apply the lessons learned from this incredible international regatta.