Following the announcement of the ILCA 4 MkII sail in January 2026, ILCA wishes to remind members and sailors of the key dates as the season progresses.
The ILCA 4 MkII sail has been commercially available since April 2026. However, the sail is not class legal for racing until 1 August 2026. Sailors who have already purchased the new sail should note that it cannot be used at any official ILCA or affiliated event prior to that date. The existing ILCA 4 MkI sail remains fully class legal and is the only legal option for competition through the first half of the 2026 season.
The August 1st date has been set to coincide with the 2026 ILCA 4 Youth World Championships in Aarhus, Denmark (1–9 August), ensuring fair and equal access across all regions before the sail enters competition at the highest level.
As a reminder, the MkII sail is not a replacement for the MkI — both sails are class legal from August 1st onwards, and sailors may choose either. There is no requirement to upgrade.
For any questions, contact ILCA at technical@ilcasailing.org or visit www.ilcasailing.org