NEW ILCA 7 Record – UK’s Argall Achieves Blistering Speed!
Nigel Argall sailing his ILCA 7 on a more civilized day off Cornwall, UK.
Evolution of Speed
Back in January of 2009, Mark Denzer claimed the ILCA speed sailing record with a speed of 16.8 kts. off of Honolulu, Hawaii. Then in November of 2017, Shoreline Sailboats reported Britain’s Ben Flower’s ILCA speed record of 18.6 knots. This past month fellow countryman, Nigel Argall, sailing with an ILCA 7 (full rig), has surpassed that mark with a GPS speed recording of 19.2 knots. This record-setting speed was achieved off of Cornwall, UK.
Nigel Argall attains 19.2 knots!
Here is the story from Nigel:
June 4th, 2024 was windy in Cornwall, UK. Very windy. Mount’s Bay Sailing Club (mbsc.org.uk/) usually sees about 6 ILCA (Laser) dinghies out racing
and a handicap fleet of eight to ten boats. Most sailors made their view of the prevailing conditions fairly clear by ducking out and not turning up. In the end, four Lasers rigged and just two for the handicap fleet. We are not the youngest sailors in the world, but a huge amount of experience is invested in that small group. Despite this, Gary Barlow and I waited until almost the last minute, questioning the wisdom of taking on a wind which was fulfilling the forecast of 20 knots.
On hitting the water, it became apparent to me that just finishing the race would be a satisfactory outcome. I am 80 kilos (168 pounds) which is not a lot for the 7 meter sail in a blow. Normally I struggle upwind but can make a little of that back on the reaches and runs. The sea state had no significant swell but a definite wind-blown chop coming in directly with the Southwesterly wind. What also became apparent was that the wind was not dropping and was very variable.
The two rescue boats were kept busy and only one of the four Lasers managed to get round without a capsize. We were sailing the ‘old Olympic course’ with a triangle alternating with an upwind/run and mercifully the race officer only challenged us with five laps.
I managed to capsize on the second run, righted the boat, sailed somewhat off to the south in my recovery mode, and capsized again. On righting the boat, it became clear that I had now left myself a very broad reach down to the leeward mark. As I started this, the biggest gust of the evening hit (easily in excess of 30 knots), and a number of things became clear very quickly. First, I was going extremely fast, the boat almost bouncing and hissing from one piece of chop to the next. Secondly, I was not 100% in control. The speed built for a few seconds before I was unceremoniously ejected from the port side. A very long swim followed, chasing the boat downwind. The rescue boat, my Laser and I all finally came back together fairly close to the West Pier of St. Michael’s Mount. From the water I had a good view of my three colleagues finishing, and the Race Officer calling it a day.
Down came the flags, up came the buoys and I had no regrets about abandoning. Was it dangerous? Not really, it was extremely challenging. I would be the first to admit that this was in some ways an ‘accidental achievement’. It wasn’t a speed record attempt as such, it was an attempt by me to sail to the next mark as fast as possible. It was only later that I managed to download the GPS data and see the 19.2 knot peak speed so… I’m claiming it!
The ILCA Speed Challenge:
Eyewitnesses to Nigell’s speed record included Nick Stolen, Graham Cousins, and Gary Barlow of MBSC. The speed was recorded using a Suunto Ambit 3 watch. The Suunto app publishes to the Strava app.
What makes the record official? Mark Denzer originally, back in 2009, contacted the International Laser Class Association, World Speed Sailing Record Council, and Guinness Book of World Records and all claimed that they did not maintain such records. So, he had to rise to the challenge of being the record holder and keeper. “Somebody has to keep track, might as well be me.” Shoreline Sailboats has unofficially become a clearinghouse of sorts for claims to the top speed.
If you want to beat Nigel Argall’s ILCA Speed Record, find some flat water and big breeze, take an accurate GPS, gather three reputable witnesses and go for it.
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