Please select your home edition
Edition
Ocean Safety 2023 - New Identity - LEADERBOARD

Optimists of the Northern Capital - The Gazprom Cup - Stage 1

by Jessica Francis 30 May 2013 12:04 BST 25-26 May 2013
The Gazprom Cup is dedicated to children racing from the Yacht Club of Saint-Petersburg © SPBYC

The Optimists of the Northern Capital, The Gazprom Cup, started on the historical Russian waters of Saint Petersburg this past weekend, the 25th to 26th May with 8 races completed. Hosted by the Yacht Club of Saint Petersburg, Russia this event is completely dedicated to youth racing and is an important catalyst to grow the sport of sailing within Russia across all levels of competency.

Igor Taraskin a coach at the Yacht Club of Saint Petersburg summarized the spirit of this first event in the 2013 series, "we don't expect an Olympic attitude from the children, instead we just welcome a desire to sail".

With competitors as young as 7 years old in the junior category the race programme caters to everyone including an action packed onshore programme with treasure hunts, tea parties, cooking workshops, trampolines and simulators. Competitors were also able to test out the match racing boats participating in the Sails of White Nights regatta broadening their marine experience.

Anna Deyanova, Principal Race Officer commented on the dedication of this event towards youths, "children get a lot of attention at this event with lots of briefings held by the coaches before the racing, the competitors are confident and happy to race in the variety of conditions we have in the Neva River and everyone is in a good mood."

Sails are supplied by Gazprom to all event entrants providing a level playing field across the fleets with three categories; male, female and junior. Results are dictated by the skill of the sailor rather than their equipment.

The final 3 races in the male division were extremely tight with Daniil Usachev, Leonid Pushev and Vladimir Novoselov on equal points. After 8 races the gold medal for the first stage went to Leonid Pushev from the Rautu team with a very consistent four 1st places and three 2nd places on the scoreboard.

A winner also on the Neva River last year Leonid Puhev shared his winning style, "you have to keep away from the crowds on the start line and make sure you have speed. If you sail fast it gives you more opportunities to use your tactics".

For the ladies in the female category Anita Borkona from the Union Trade's River Yacht Club currently sits on top and Anton Khomenko racing from their home club, the Yacht Club of Saint Petersburg came in first within the junior fleet.

The second stage of the Optimists of the Northern Capital – the Gazprom Cup will be held in the Port Hercules, Russia this coming weekend June 1st and 2nd.

Optimists of the Northern Capital – The 2013 Gazprom Cup – Series Schedule:

  • Event 1 25 - 26 May
  • Event 2 1 - 2 June
  • Event 3 24 – 28 July
  • Event 4 29 – 31 August
opticup.ru

Related Articles

Chichester Yacht Club Optimist Open Preview
Registration is open and visitors are very welcome Registration is open for this year's Chichester Yacht Club Optimist Open on Sunday the 13th of July. Visitors are very welcome to come and enjoy the clubs facilities while watching the racing from CYC's lawns. Posted on 3 Jul
Mirpuri Foundation Sailing Trophy 2025 Preview
International sailing & ocean conservation unite in Cascais From July 4 to 6, Cascais hosts the biggest sailing regatta of the year with a strong focus on sustainability. The Mirpuri Foundation Sailing Trophy celebrates six years of diversity, competition, and environmental commitment. Posted on 30 Jun
2025 International Classes Regatta preview
The ICR has earned a stellar reputation as an outstanding lead-up regatta for competitors The Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club (RFBYC) is proud to announce that the 2025 International Classes Regatta (ICR)—the Club's premier annual dinghy event—will take place on Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 November 2025. Posted on 27 Jun
South and Southwest Regional Junior Championship
Exciting, high-quality competitive racing for 5 classes at Weymouth There were 145 sailors competing in Topper 5.3 and 4.2, Optimist, RS Feva XL, RS Tera Pro and Sport and ILCA 4 classes. The excellent race team led by PRO Paul Kimmens delivered exciting, high-quality competitive racing for all classes. Posted on 26 Jun
NEYYSA Championship at Ullswater
They had it all: heat, sun, torrential rain, wind, calm, thunder and lightning We had it all at Ullswater, heat, sun, (torrential) rain, wind, calm, thunder and lightning but nothing switched the smiles, sailing and socialising off at the North Region Youth & Junior Championships at Ullswater. Posted on 25 Jun
Welsh Regional Junior Championships
74 boats have a glorious weekend alongside a number of Welsh Sailing initiatives The event was hosted with Dale Yacht Club, Celtic Sea Watersports and Windswept Watersports and attracted a total of 74 entries, including 18 sailors keen to develop their racing skills in the coached regatta fleet. Posted on 25 Jun
All set for NEYYSA Championship at Ullswater
Youth and juniors from all over the NE and Yorkshire will battle this weekend With less than 24 hours until the first warning signal at the North Region Youth & Junior Championships organised by North East & Yorkshire Youth Sailing Association (NEYYSA) and hosted by Ullswater Yacht Club final preparations are in hand. Posted on 20 Jun
Gill Optimist Early Summer Championships
Brightlingsea delivered a thrilling test of skill and adaptability The IOCA Early Summer Championships at Brightlingsea SC delivered a thrilling test of skill and adaptability for the Optimist Fleet, with sailors battling extreme variations in wind speed and direction over two days of racing. Posted on 19 Jun
Cambridgeshire Youth League at Grafham Water
33 sailors took part in windy conditions The second leg of the Cambridgeshire Youth Sailing League took place at Grafham Water Sailing Club on Saturday 14th June. Despite the forecast for strong winds, 33 intrepid young sailors set sail in gusty conditions. Posted on 18 Jun
Tyson Tops 32nd International Optimist Regatta
Getting good starts and sailing fast led to the win at St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands Getting good starts and sailing fast led the USA's Daniel Skutch Tyson to win the 32nd International Optimist Regatta (IOR), hosted at the St. Thomas Yacht Club (STYC), June 13-15, 2025. Posted on 16 Jun