Midland Optimist Traveller Series - Overall
by Paula Irish 27 Sep 2016 12:00 BST
27 September 2016
Banbury Optimist Open - the first event in the Midland Optimist Traveller Series © Tim Matthews
The Midland Optimist Traveller Series saw 35 sailors competing over five events during summer with fierce competition for results throughout the fleet.
The series started at Banbury in April and continued with meetings at Staunton Harold, Hollowell and Draycote Water, concluding with a final open at Shustoke in September.
Banbury's George Eames Matthews took the Midland Optimist Traveller Series title with an event to spare – having impressively won each of the first four events held - while the racing for the remaining podium places continued at the Shustoke SC finale.
With a great turnout of 24 sailors, a decent breeze in the morning was followed by light and shifty conditions, which made for some tricky starting tactics and racing in the afternoon.
Staunton Harold's Jacob Felton counted a 1,2,3 from the four races to win by one point from Draycote Water's Millie Irish, with local sailor Ralph Cawthorne in third with 12 points.
Millie and Jacob have been battling it out all season and the closeness of their result at Shustoke was reflected in that of the overall Midland Optimist Traveller Series.
With three of the five events to count, Jacob counted a third, second and first overall to finish the traveller series on six points and in second overall on countback from Millie, who had three second places.
Fourth overall in the series and third boy was Draycote's Derin Can Soyer on 13 points. Hollowell's Hazel McDonnell was fifth overall and second girl with 15 points, and Ellen Morley, also Hollowell, was sixth overall and third girl with 19 points.
Zoe Felton from IOCA Midlands said, "It's been a great series and it's been fantastic to see the close racing at the front of the fleet and also the number of young sailors coming into Optimists who are starting to really hone their skills in the Midlands."
The Midland Optimists are now looking forward to starting their winter training schedule at Shustoke SC this Saturday, October 1. The training day will be one of six held over the winter months. The training is £20 a day and open to all. For further information email