Worlds report 2025 - Lily McAullay
ILCA Under-21 World Championships – Dun Laoghaire, Ireland
In August, I competed at the ILCA Under-21 World Championships in Dun Laoghaire, Ireland. The
event brought together a strong international fleet and offered a great opportunity to test myself
against some of the best young sailors in the world. Throughout the week, we were fortunate to
have a wide range of conditions that made for exciting and challenging racing.
We had consistent wind for the entire regatta, with both onshore and offshore breezes creating a mix
of sea states and tactical challenges. Early in the week, we raced in moderate onshore conditions
with a rolling swell, which placed an emphasis on boat handling and maintaining speed through the
waves. Later in the event, the breeze shifted offshore, bringing flatter water but much shiftier and
gustier conditions that made decision-making and positioning on the course critical. The variety of
weather conditions really tested every aspect of our sailing — from upwind strategy and downwind
technique to starts and boat speed in pressure changes.
Across the series, I had a few solid races where I managed to link shifts well and hold consistent
speed with the front group. However, I struggled to put a full event together and wasn’t able to
achieve the overall results I was aiming for. Small mistakes at key moments — such as poor starts,
tactical errors near the top mark, or difficulty managing lane position — often cost me several
places, which added up over the week.
Despite not getting the outcome I wanted, I learnt a lot throughout the week. The event highlighted
where my strengths are, and more importantly, the areas I need to keep working on —particularly in
maintaining composure under pressure and making quicker tactical decisions in the unstable breeze.
It was also a great reminder of how important it is to reset after tough races and stay positive
through the ups and downs of a long championship.
Working with Mikael, the Australian National ILCA 6 Coach, throughout the regatta was also really
beneficial. His feedback and approach helped me think more about how to build each race from
start to finish and how to prepare better between races. Having that support and guidance at an
international event made a big difference in understanding what it takes to perform at this level.
Overall, the Under-21 Worlds was a huge learning experience and one I’m really grateful for. The
mix of conditions, the depth of the fleet, and the overall atmosphere made it an awesome week of
racing. Even though the results weren’t what I was hoping for, I came away with a clearer idea of
where I want to go next and what I need to focus on in training moving forward. It’s definitely left
me more motivated for the upcoming season and excited for future international events.