Optimist Spring Champ at Weymouth & Portland Sailing Academy
by Alain Waha 6 Mar 2009 07:56 GMT
28 February - 1 March 2009
Optimist return to Olympic Weymouth
The Optimist class returned to Weymouth for the fist time since the completion of the 2012 Olympic facilities. Over the weekend of 28th Feb - 1st March, the IOCA held its inaugural “Spring Championship” at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy.
This new championship was conceived by IOCA to provide competitive racing early in the season. This was further supported by splitting the always large optimist fleet into Gold and Silver groups, to provide tighter racing at all levels.
On the day, 164 sailors were met by a grey morning on the south coast with a light 5 knots drifting in from the SE. Both fleets Gold (88) and Silver (76) launched, and were soon rewarded by an increasing breeze and clearing skies, setting up perfect racing conditions.
The first race of the championship was won by Annabel Vose GBR 5470 in the gold fleet and by Jamie Calder GBR 5896 in the Silver fleet.
The breeze increased during the day and a further two races were held in 8 -12 knots, with races remaining tight at all times.
The following morning glorious sunshine awaited the fleet. Three further races were held during the day. The wind started in the NNW and moved W during the day increasing to a steady 10-12 knots.
Scott Wallis held on to his overnight lead to win the Gold fleet with Jamie Calder moving from 3rd to win the silver fleet.
Fiona and Peter Diamond were invited to present the splendid new trophies designed and built by them to Scott Wallis (Gold fleet winner), Jamie Calder (Silver fleet winner) and Max Clapp (Bronze trophy winner being the highest non RYA or IOCA squad sailor in the Silver fleet.
At the prize giving a raffle was held to support sailors in Sri Lanka, the prize a new set of foils was donated by IBI sailing Ltd.