Optimist Southern Areas at Royal Victoria Yacht Club

Prizewinners from the Optimist Southerns at Fishbourne (top left to right; Joseph Burns, Scott Wallis, Tarra Gill-Taylor. Bottom left to right; Hugo Andrews, Chris Taylor, Craig Dibb, Nicole Deacon Smith, Zoe Parkinson) © Paul Billington / Patersons Photography

The Oppie circuit arrived at RVYC last weekend when 85 youngsters, their boats and parents descended for an open event incorporating the Oppie Southern Area Championships. This is the first time the event has been held on the Island and possibly the largest fleet of Oppies seen here. Event sponsors were Wightlink and Plain Lazy.

The Optimist class is a highly-successful and competitive class for juniors – some of our top Olympic sailors started their racing careers in this class – and sailing is to a very high standard. The class celebrates its diamond jubilee in 2007 and continues to attract and retain many talented young sailors through its training programme around the country.

The event included a main fleet (who will compete for the Southern Area championship) and a regatta fleet (intensive coaching whilst racing). Entrants for the main fleet must have sailed in the main fleet at two or more IOCA (International Optimist Class Association) events, such as inland championships, nationals or end of season events. The regatta class is aimed at those less experienced who want to move up into very competitive main fleet racing.

Saturday morning’s unexpected morning fog caused a slight delay to ferries and some competitors who were bringing their Oppies from the mainland, but the skies were soon clear to the relief of all.

The main fleet had 59 boats and had three back-to back races on Saturday . Racing off Woodside on a trapezoid course in a north-west force three. With a port end bias to the line, the fleet was soon spread evenly, with four clear leaders who had their own tussle around the course. Tim Gratton of Hayling Island SC was eventual winner, with Tarra Gill-Taylor (Spinnaker SC), second, Harry Derbyshire of Emsworth SC third and Zoe Parkinson (Royal Lymington YC) in fourth place.

Race two again had a port end bias but as the majority were over the line, there was a postponement to allow them to get back as the tide started to build and run to Cowes. Again, there were five clear leaders while a large group rounded the leeward mark at the same time, giving some interesting moments as collisions were (mostly) avoided. This race had a very exciting finish with seconds between many but Chris Taylor of Wraysbury Lake SC took this race, ahead of Jess Lavery (Emsworth SC), Zoe Parkinson and Craig Dibb (Warsash SC).

Three boats were black flagged at the start, including two from RVYC! The race officer had to tweak the course as the wind swung to the south west. The long-term leader made an error at the last mark which lost him several places and gave this race to Annabel Vose (RSYC), ahead of Scott Wallis (Spinnaker), Tarra Gill-Taylor and Zoe Parkinson.

At the end of day one’s racing, highest placed RVYC sailors were Freddie Warren Smith and Jon Evans.

Joseph Burns (Warsash SC) took first place in a closely contested regatta fleet ahead of Conway Parke and Hugo Andrews both of Hayling Island SC. RVYC’s Matt Cornforth had a second and fourth place - a great achievement in his first event on this scale.

Sunday was a perfect summer’s day - but no breeze at all left all very disappointed and frustrated with their boats on the slipway. Eventually, the breeze appeared and the main fleet rushed to get their boats launched and towed out to the race area, where each fleet managed to get one race in.

The main fleet raced off Quarr and the leading group headed inshore out of th etide. Seaview YC’s Nick Haynes and Chris Taylor rounded the leeward mark together but Haynes’ local knowledge gave him the edge and he held his lead to take line honours.

There was more frustration for a large part of the fleet as they struggled against the strengthening tide and shifting breeze to make the line and 18 didn’t finish within the time limited. Chris Taylor’s good result gave him first place overall from Tarra Gill-Taylor, Zoe Parkinson and Harry Derbyshire.

The regatta fleet raced in Woodside. Hugo Andrews (Hayling Island SC) was first with Anna Prescott (RLYC) second and Joseph Burns (Spinnaker) third. Joseph’s two good results gave him first overall in this fleet, with Hugo second and Nicola Deacon-Smith (Warsash SC), third overall. RVYC’s Matt Cornforth was seventh.

Prizes were presented by RVYC Vice-Commodore John Clack who welcomed competitors and their families and said although we had provided the sun and hospitality, we’d not been able to lay on quite enough breeze for the young crews. The event owed a great deal to Wightlink and to Plain Lazy who had provided keepsake prizes for the winners.

Prizegiving was followed by the traditional Oppie tea which was received with great enthusiasm.

Tarra Gill-Taylor is part of the Optimist GBR European team who will compete in Greece in July South Area Coordinator, Ravi Gill-Taylor thanked RVYC for its superb organisation, wonderful location and great hospitality and hoped the event would return to RVYC in future years.

Overall Results:

Regatta fleet
1st Joseph Burns (Spinnaker SC)
2nd Hugo Andrews (Hayling Island SC)
3rd Nicola Deacon Smith (Warsash SC)

Main fleet
1st Chris Taylor (Wraysbury Lake SC)
2nd Tarra Gill-Taylor (Spinnaker SC)
3rd Zoe Parkinson (RLYC)

Southern Area Championship
1st Tarra Gill-Taylor (Spinnaker SC)
2nd Zoe Parkinson
3rd Craig Dibb

First Hamble River Boat (Audrey Spalding Trophy)
Craig Dibb (Warsash SC)

Best Under 12
Scott Wallis (Spinnaker SC)