ILCA 6

A small single handed dinghy, the ILCA 6 is one of the most popular boats in the world, due to its broad accessibility and simplicity to set up and sail.

The ILCA 6 uses a more flexible and slightly shorter lower mast, with a sail area 18% smaller than the ILCA 7. It was first introduced as an Olympic discipline at Beijing 2008.

Designed by Bruce Kirby (CAN) & Ian Bruce (CAN) in 1969, the ILCA 6 has a single mainsail, meaning it is lightweight and fast to sail.

Visually, the ILCA 6 class is distinguishable from the ILCA 7 via the red rhombus carried on the mainsail of the boats used in the Women’s event.

As a one design class, all athletes in the ILCA 6 will compete at the Olympic Games with equipment built and supplied by the same manufacturer.

Two sailors hold the title of double Olympic medallist in the ILCA 6 class. Lijia Xu (CHN) won bronze at Beijing 2008 and gold at London 2012, and Marit Bouwmeester (NED) claimed silver at London 2012 and gold at Rio 2016. Bouwmeester has qualified for Tokyo 2020 and so has the chance to become a triple medallist.