Seldén Optimist Open Meeting at Warsash Sailing Club
by Richard Jarman 10 Jul 2013 09:40 BST
6-7 July 2013
71 boats at the Seld'n Optimist Open © Richard Jarman
A total 71 Optimists sailed over the weekend at Warsash SC during Sat 6th and Sun 7th July for the Seldén Optimist Open, involving 2 days of racing in the Solent for the title of Seldén Optimist Open champion, as well as a selection of prizes generously donated by Seldén, augmented by more prizes donated by the new P&B showroom at Segensworth. The fleet was split into two, with 45 entries in the main fleet racing in the central Solent off Hill Head, and 26 entries in the Regatta fleet racing closer inshore just outside the Hamble River.
With the summer having finally arrived, the forecast looked light and success would be dependent on knowing the tides. After launching and a tow out to the race course, race officer Peter Knight managed to get race one for the main fleet got underway in a light easterly breeze. Daniel Burns (Spinnaker) showed early form by winning race 1 from Julia Mellers (Chichester YC). Local sailors and brothers Alex and Robbie King (Warsash SC) swapped honours in races 2 & 3 with each winning a race and coming second in the other. Overnight Alex led the fleet on count back after the first discard was applied.
Meanwhile in the regatta fleet, race officers Nigel Russell and Vicky Biggs kept the fleet active with 6 races in total. Oliver Evans (Gurnard SC), Matthew Laycock (Spinnaker SC), Freddie Lonsdale (Papercourt) and Jasmin Summers (Royal Lymington YC) were consistently at the front of the fleet, but flashes of brilliance and top 3 results were also recorded by Santiago Sesto-Cosby (Salterns YC), Freddie Ellis (Gurnard SC), Delfina Sesto-Cosby (Salterns), Jake Thompson (Frensham Pond) and local sailors Jake Hallam and Scott Whitehead (both Warsash SC).
On Sunday, the weather continued hot and sunny with even less breeze. The fleet was augmented by a number of sailors unable to sail on the Saturday, including Milo Gill-Taylor (Spinnaker) who showed what might have been by winning race 4, in a light and shifty northerly breeze.
After race 4, the wind continued to swing and oscillate in strength and despite best efforts at further racing, no further races could be successfully completed. By coming second in race 4, Daniel Burns did enough to see off the challenge of Alex King (2nd) and Robbie King (3rd) and was crowned open champion. Julia Mellers finished 5th in race 4 and 4th overall, as well as first girl.
A further 4 races were held in the regatta fleet, with Oliver Evans showing consistency on the day with two 1st places and two 2nd places to take the first prize in the regatta fleet. Freddie Lonsdale just pipped Jasmin Summers for second place by 1 point.
See full results
Finally, a very big thank you to the band of volunteers who made it such a successful event, as well Seldén and P&B for their generous donation of prizes.