What is an ILCA in Olympic sailing?

One of the most popular boats in the world, the ILCA has been part of the Olympic Games in different guises since 1996.

Let’s take a look at what awaits in the ILCA competitions at Paris 2024.

What is an ILCA?

Dinghies have been raced at the Olympics since all the way back in 1920.

ILCA stands for International Laser Class Association and refers to the Laser dinghy.

With over 200,000 Laser boats scattered across 140 countries, it is one of the most widely used boats in the world and is sailed at club, national and international level.

It is a small dinghy sailed by one person, across the ILCA 6 (formerly known as Laser Radial) class for women and ILCA 7 (formerly known as Laser) for men.

 

How does an ILCA work?

The ILCA is a boat that rewards athleticism and subtle steering, as well as tactical excellence.

Who are the previous Olympic medallists?

Women

Tokyo 2020, Laser Radial: Gold – Anne-Marie Rindom (Denmark), Silver – Josefin Olsson (Sweden), Bronze – Marit Bouwmeester (Netherlands)

Rio 2016 – Laser Radial: Gold – Marit Bouwmeester (Netherlands), Silver – Annalise Murphy (Ireland), Bronze – Anne-Marie Rindom (Denmark)

London 2012 – Laser Radial: Gold – Xu Lijia (China), Silver – Marit Bouwmeester (Netherlands), Bronze – Ewi Van Acker (Belgium)

 

Men

Tokyo 2020, Laser: Gold – Matthew Wearn (Australia), Silver – Tonci Stipanovic (Croatia), Bronze – Hermann Tomasgaard (Norway)

Rio 2016, Laser: Gold – Tom Burton (Australia), Silver – Tonci Stipanovic (Croatia), Bronze – Sam Meech (New Zealand)

London 2012, Laser: Gold – Tom Slingsby (Australia), Silver – Pavlos Kontides (Cyprus), Bronze – Rasmus Myrgren (Sweden)

Who are the top athletes in ILCA?

In the ILCA 7, reigning Olympic champion Matthew Wearn of Australia has won the last two World Championship gold medals, as well as the Paris 2024 Test Event.

In the ILCA 6, reigning Olympic champion Anne-Marie Rindom recaptured the title of world champion in Argentina in January, after Hungary’s Maria Erdi took gold at the 2023 Allianz Sailing World Championships.

 

When is the ILCA competition at Paris 2024?

ILCA 6 and 7 racing starts on Thursday 1 August and ends on Tuesday 6 August.