RYA South Zone Optimist Squad Training at Spinnaker Club

RYA South Zone Optimist Squad training at Spinnaker Club © Chris Evans

RYA South Zone Optimist Squad training at Spinnaker Club © Chris Evans

RYA South Zone Optimist Squad training at Spinnaker Club © Chris Evans

Last weekend saw the second RYA South Zone Optimist Squad training session which was hosted by Spinnaker Club – with 35 sailors from 12 clubs across the South. There were early starts for those travelling from Jersey and the Isle of Wight., with flights and ferries to catch. Both mornings started with very little wind which gave the coaches an opportunity to go through some theory and fitness to start the days. The theme for the weekend was 'Starting' and developing boat speed control.

When the wind filled in on Saturday the sailors worked on start line practice, including double tacks, stop tacks, scoops to gain start line position and then space to accelerate into, to ensure they have clear lanes off the line. Unfortunately, the wind died off by early afternoon which saw the fleet paddle ashore for a debrief and a boat optimisation talk in preparation for Sunday.

Sunday dawned bright and sunny with little wind which built as the club sailors took to the water. Eventually with the wind reaching 6-8 knots, the squad launched, focusing on starting, to continue the theme for the weekend.

The afternoon saw the fleet drawn in to 2-boat teams for team racing on 2 courses in 8- 10 knots with some stronger gusts, which gave the sailors the opportunity to try out their boat handling skills and rules knowledge whilst sailing at close quarters, with penalties for excessive speaking, poor technique or breaking the rules. After each course had sailed 6 round robins the top 2 boats from each course sailed off for the top places.

Overall Results:

1st Oliver Sturley & Fergus Fox
2nd Toby Atherton & Ted Ward
3rd Abby Chiderlery & Freddie Ellis
4th Phoebe Le Marquand & Alfie Dowson McGill

Special prize were awarded to:

Lilly Ellis - Rule Observance
Oliver Evans - Most Improved
Nicklas Host-Verbraak – Sportsmanship
Kieran Young - Best communication

Thanks to the coaches and Spinnaker Club for hosting the weekend and for making us welcome.

RYA South Zone Optimist Squad training at Spinnaker Club - photo © Chris Evans