Optimist National Squads Training at the WPNSA

The Oppy National Squads tough it out at windy Weymouth © Alan Williams

Oppy National Squads tough it out at windy Weymouth

Nearly 60 of GBR’s top Optimist sailors arrived at Weymouth, greeted by howling winds and an unsailable forecast.

Saturday morning was used for goal setting, and a round robin of land based technical skills development in the Academy hangar.

Fortunately by 1230 there were some signs of moderation in the wind [ it dropped below 30 knots] so the squads went out in their squad groups to work on windy weather technique- and it was windy. The GBR Olympic Development Squad which contains many ex Oppy sailors looked on reminiscing about their Oppy days, as the next crop were put through their paces.

There were some wild wipe outs, screaming reaches, nerve jangling bearaways, and of course mad bailing in the blustery chop. James Taylor got a 10 out of 10 for a great bearaway, out of control run and a nearly successful gybe, before a massive wipe out, check out Weymouth Optimist Wipeout on You Tube. After about 2 hours everyone came back ashore safely, had dinner and then worked on strategy and tactical decision making- by this time some of the Olympic Development Squad were thinking of asking some of the Oppy sailors for tips!

Sunday dawned with slightly less wind- sort of 18-22 knots. In the morning the 60 sailors worked in their squad groups working on boat handling and up wind speed and then formed 2 groups of 30 to practice starting, lane holding and short tactical racing. Fortunately the ODS guys were out and it has to be said that they were pretty impressive, and included ex Oppy sailors including Phil Sparks, Richard Mason, Hannah Mills, Charlotte Dobson and Ali Young.

In the afternoon, race officer ‘THE STOG’ volunteered to run the racing with some willing parents and 3 races were run in a gradually increasing breeze topping out in the mid 20’s.

It was pretty tough stuff and some of the nippers found it tough going. It was all about effort and no matter where sailors finished they worked hard and had a great time on the water. Olympic Met Guru Libby, forecast a strengthening breeze during the afternoon and the breeze was solidly in the mid 20’s with an evil chop and a lot of bailing by the end of the 3rd race. The racing was dominated by revitalised Rowan Edwards with good showings from Will Creaven, Matt Whitfield, Josh Voller, Andy Kilburn, Fraser Woodley, Dan Whitely, Sarah Norbury, Karyna Manuel, Josh Belben and Georgia Booth. As ever showing the great commitment the Scottish sailors make to the squads, Jamie Calder had to leave the 2nd race while lying 3rd on a blistering run (well for an Optimist anyway) to catch the waiting plane back home. A number of Intermediate squad sailors also sailed really well and had great tales to tell.

Martan Wrigley mastered the art of bearing away only to do a full on down the mine as he leant forward to get his bailer, but he still had a smile on his face. Thanks to parents and everyone for making the weekend such a success.