Midlands Optimist Circuit launches on 9th June at Staunton Harold
by Simon Kelsall & Paula Irish 23 May 2018 15:28 BST
Optimist sailors will be competing at five events in the Midlands Travellers Series © Tim Matthews
The Midlands Optimist Travellers Series starts on Saturday 9 June at Staunton Harold Sailing Club, with sailors expected from across the region and beyond.
All open meetings in the five-event series will have both a main fleet providing highly competitive racing for more experienced Optimist sailors and a regatta fleet.
Registration for the first event at Staunton Harold SC is at 9:00 with a briefing at 10:00, four races scheduled, food available and an entry fee of just £12!
If 2017 is anything to go by, those taking part can expect some close, competitive racing throughout the fleet; the overall series winner last year was not decided until the last race of the series, which saw Millie Irish take the series first overall by just a couple of points from a bunch of sailors hot on her heels.
The racing in the regatta fleet is just as much fun but with a bit of coaching thrown in to assist sailors on their transition into the main fleet and on to the larger national IOCA UK class association events, providing an ideal format for sailors looking to develop their experience on the open circuit.
"For those new to the scene, there is always friendly advice on offer in the dinghy park if there are things about the boat you can't fathom or you are struggling to make your way up a shifty beat," explains Staunton Harold event organiser Simon Kelsall. "So, whether you are honing your skills for the nationals in Pwllheli in August or looking to do your first event away from your home club, get the following dates in your diary!"
- 9th June: STAUNTON HAROLD SC
- 7th July: HOLLOWELL SC,
- 21st July: DRAYCOTE SC,
- 8th September: BARNT GREEN SC,
- 15th September: SHUSTOKE SC,
For further details about the Staunton Harold SC open meeting contact Simon on 07794 093590 or see the Notice of Race at
shsc.org.uk/open-meetings
All the Midlands Optimist Traveller Series events are listed on the class association website at www.optimist.org.uk/events/category/midlands-area-event