Toyoyta NZ Optimist Nationals: Australia win Gold and Silver
by Christel Hopkins 3 Apr 2018 07:26 BST
Overall winners - Toyota NZ Optimist Championships, Queen Charlotte YC, April 2018 © Christel Hopkins
Australian sailors have won the Toyota NZ Optimist Nationals sailed in Picton at the Queen Charlotte Yacht Club.
Today's forecast was for some wind. The fleet headed out to the racing area around 10 am. The wind was everywhere: Cook Strait 30 knots, Stephens Island plenty and also wind in Kenepuru Sound. It just didn’t want to settle where we hoped to sail another two races to close off the regatta.
Some waiting around by the sailors and everyone out there paid off and the orange flag was raised and a gold fleet started. But the wind was still not settled. Course reset and Gold fleet started again at 12:32 pm. Two races were sailed in the Gold, Silver and Bronze fleet.
Bronze had a general recall and had to start with Black Flag on their second race.
The final placings 1 and 2 taken up by Sailors from Australia; Fletcher Walters with a good lead on Daniel Links. Third Place is George Lee Rush, only 1 point behind. 4th and 5th are Joshua Hyde from Wakatere and Amelia Angus from Kohi. Amelia also scoring best girl.
The green fleet was won by Blake McKinnon from Kohimarama and the Rainbow fleet by Zeudi Pearse from QCYC.
The regatta was a great event and Queen Charlotte Yacht Club thanks all the people who made it happen.