Optimist Open at Papercourt Sailing Club
by Paul Barnes 10 Jan 2008 13:50 GMT
5 January 2008
Over 100 sailors turned up for the first Optimist Open of the year at Papercourt Sailing Club in Surrey, making it a record for this annual event. On a bright sunny day with medium winds, the first meeting of the new calendar attracted a strong fleet. The high calibre of the young sailors registered demanded a split into gold and silver fleets with three races held for each.
In race one, the 64 mostly squad sailors in the gold fleet got off to a good start with some close tactical racing. Scott Wallis was ahead of his brother Matthew half way around the last lap, but lost out at the finish to him and was then just pushed into third position by Tarra Gill-Taylor who crossed the line just ahead of him to take second. Ross Williams was a close fourth.
While Charlie Warren, from Emsworth, got off to a good start in the second, Matthew Foskett soon became the race leader. Charlie had to fight to maintain his second position and appeared rather nervous with Matthew Wallis right on this tail at the finish.
After a warming lunch before the third and final race of the day, and with renewed energy and enthusiasm, rather too many competitors were over the line as the gun went to ensure Mike Ball, the race officer, had to bring them back for a general recall. Under the black flag, and with two rescue boats pressing the fleet back, a few were still over the line. However Matthew Wallis kept his cool and soon emerged at the front with a strong lead to stamp his dominance on the gold fleet by winning both the last race and the Open meeting.
The 39 sailors in the silver fleet saw a good battle at the front between Rebecca Clarke and Arran Holman. With three points each as they began the last race, Rebecca made an excellent start and took an early lead. Looking over her shoulder revealed her anxiety but Arran was only able to manage third at the line to take second position for the day. Congratulations are therefore due to Rebecca Clarke for a very steady performance.
Thanks go to Guildford Marine for their kind generosity with the prizes.
Overall Results:
Gold Fleet
1st Matthew Wallis, 5683 (Spinnaker)
2nd Matthew Foskett, 5722 (Staunton Harold)
3rd Thomas O’Leary, 4705 (Queensmead)
4th Tom Britz, 5661 (Royal Lymington)
5th Scott Wallis, 0000 (Spinnaker)
1st Girl, Katie Russell, 5419 (Burghfield)
Silver Fleet
1st Rebecca Clarke, 5268 (Papercourt)
2nd Arran Holman, 5808 (Hollowell)
3rd Jennifer Cropley, 5138 (Burghfield)
4th Ludovic Czartoryski-Bruseth, 5220 (Royal Lymington)
5th Ester Fenton-Jones, 3199 (Papercourt)