Volvo Musto Optimist Nats at Pwllheli Sailing Club - Overall
by Dan Wilkinson 18 Aug 2008 15:39 BST
9-15 August 2008
A record entry of 447 young sailors competed in the Volvo Musto Optimist Nationals, in Pwhelli, North Wales (9 – 15 August 2008). The same week out in Beijing many Olympic races were being postponed due to the lack of wind but the young Optimist sailors faced the opposite problem with big sea swells and gusts of up to 35 knots.
Spinnaker Yacht Club sailor Matt Wallis tackled the tricky weather conditions brilliantly throughout the week leading from the first day and eventually winning the nationals by two clear points. Matt had strong competition from fellow Hampshire sailors: Annabel Vose (aged 14) from the Royal Southern Yacht Club and Craig Dibb (aged 14) from Warsash; both hot on Matt’s heals with only four points between them going into the final race day. Despite feeling the pressure Matt continued to perform and came away with the victory. The young sailors showed a great show of strength and skill in all conditions with light winds towards the end of the week compared to large swells and 35 knots of wind during the first few days.
“It’s been a good event, the waves have been big, and I’ve tried hard to do the best I can. It feels great to have won overall, I am really pleased because I felt a lot of pressure with Craig and Annabel very close behind.” Matt Wallis, aged 14, Spinnaker Sailing Club, Hampshire.
In the Junior fleet, the British sailors were given a run for their money by their international friends. Wade Waddle (aged 12), from Palm Beach in America had a good introduction to the Welsh weather and managed to get a series of first places in the stormy conditions. However, as the conditions became lighter, Oliver Grogono (aged 12) from St. Mawes in Cornwall came through victorious, with consistent finishes, allowing him to take the podium position on the final day. Local Welsh sailor, Matthew Whitfield from Cardiff Bay Yacht Club, was only two points away from Oliver, and finished second overall with equally impressive top ten races throughout.
The regatta fleet (aged 8-12 years) consisted of young sailors who are new to racing. The 150 sailor fleet enjoyed activities ranging from an away sailing trip to course racing, with tuition from a team of dedicated coaches working with them both on and off the water. Spinnaker Sailing Club has shown its strength in training young sailors with regatta fleet member Milo Gill-Taylor (aged 8) winning the regatta fleet.
“Events like the Volvo Musto Championships encourage young sailors to compete and get involved in a racing environment; this can only help create British Olympic Sailing hopefuls of the future.” Concluded Ben Cooper, International Optimist Class Association, UK Chairman.
Overall Results:
Senior Fleet (13-15 years)
1st Matthew Wallis, aged 14, Spinnaker Sailing Club
2nd Annabel Vose, aged 14, Royal Southern Yacht Club
3rd Craig Dibb, aged 14, Warsash
4th Thomas Zammit Tabona, aged 14, Malta Young Sailors
5th Tarra Gill Taylor, aged 14, Spinnaker Sailing Club
Junior Fleet (8-12 years)
1st Oliver Grogono, aged 12, St Mawes, Cornwall
2nd Matthew Whitfield, aged 11, Cardiff Bay Yacht Club/Penarth YC
3rd Wade Waddell, aged Palm Beach, America
4th Josh Sparks, aged 12, Royal Lymington Yacht Club
5th Scott Wallis, aged 12, Spinnaker Sailing Club
Regatta Fleet (8-12 years, novice to racing)
1st Milo Gill-Taylor, aged 8, Spinnaker Sailing Club
2nd Oliver Guess, aged 11, Bristol Corinthian YC
3rd Tom Reid, aged 10, Royal Lymington Yacht Club / Mudeford
4th Jamie Calder, aged 10, Loch Tummel SC
5th Sam Crosby, aged 12, Guernsey YC
For a complete list of regatta entries and results from all races visit www.optimistsailing.org.uk