Midland Optimist Team Winter round-up
by Paula Irish 28 Mar 2014 13:03 GMT
28 March 2014
The Midland Optimist Team (MOT) has seen numbers more than double at its winter training events.
MOT saw a total of 28 sailors at some point over the winter with 21 attending multiple training weekends, following the appointment of head coach James Murdock and a drive by parents to publicise and promote Optimist sailing in the region.
MOT secretary Zoe Felton said: "It has been great to see both the numbers and the sailors grow. The aim now is to keep encouraging new sailors whilst at the same time continuing to develop those at the top end - giving the right level of Optimist coaching to each sailor so we can help them progress to the next level."
A total of six winter training sessions were held between October and March, supported by Banbury SC, Barnt Green SC and Staunton Harold SC, and catering for Optimist sailors from clubs across the region.
The final weekend offered two days of coaching and was typical of the team's winter training this year, with plenty of opportunity for the 19 young sailors attending to work on breezy sailing techniques and capsize recovery. Boats were also checked out prior to the start of
the racing season both for safety and race tuning.
Young sailors in the region are now looking forward to putting their skills into practise. Diary dates include Banbury SC's Optimist open on April 26, the IOCA Midlands Area Championship at Staunton Harold SC on July 12-13, and this year's nationals in August at Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy.
MOT supports Optimist sailors across the Midlands by providing Optimist-specific coaching and enabling sailors to meet up, make friends, train and compete in a larger group than might be possible at their home clubs.
If you would like to find out more about Optimist sailing and training in the Midlands, email