Toyota Optimist Nationals: Series gets underway at Murrays Bay

Wakatere BC's team line up to start in the teams racing - 2019 Toyota Optimist Nationals - Murrays Bay SC, April 2019 © Wakatere BC

Murrays' Bay Sailing Club are set to a host the 2019 Toyota Optimist National Championships during the Easter long weekend with over 200 young sailors from eight countries set to hit the two race courses. This is the first time that Murrays Bay Sailing Club has hosted the regatta, the largest single class nationals in New Zealand.

30 overseas competitors will be racing with sailors travelling to Murrays Bay from as far away as the United Kingdom, Poland and France.

The forecast is looking as though the event will be raced in light winds, however the sailors will be racing on open water providing a fair playing ground for everyone.

With over 200 sailors, coaches, parents, volunteers and supporters, the club will see approximately 600 people on location each day. With that large number of people waste is a large component, which is why Murrays Bay Sailing Club is embracing a sustainable event, with no plastic to be used. Doyle Sails will be supplying reusable coffee cups and there is a no wash down policy during the event except for the final day when boats are packed up. A first for New Zealand will be the use of biodegradable hull stickers meaning that when the event is over, and stickers are removed, they can be composted.

"We have a terrific team pulling together the event and it’s going to be a huge success due to the dedicated team at Murray’s Bay and all our supporters, sponsors and other clubs who help out” says Murray’s Bay Sailing Club Commodore Rod Slater. “We know this is the breeding ground for future sailing Olympic medalists and America’s Cup hero’s.”

Toyota New Zealand has been the naming sponsor for the Optimist Nationals for 20 years, and are true supporters of grassroots sailing in New Zealand.

“We are proud to sponsor the Toyota Optimist Nationals for the 20th consecutive year. We believe that if you can dream it, you can do it and there is no better place to start dreaming than at the grassroots level," said Andrew Davis, Toyota New Zealand General Manager of Marketing.

Sailors will begin to gather at Murrays Bay Sailing Club from Thursday with measurement and the opening ceremony kicking off at 6pm. Toyota Ambassador Cam Calkoen will provide a motivational speech to all the sailors to get them ready for the five race days ahead of them.

Schedule:

Thursday Measurement Opening Ceremony - 6pm

Friday Teams Racing

Saturday to Wednesday Fleet Racing

Wednesday Prize Giving

Murrays Bay Sailing Club can host such a large scale event thanks to the assistance of supporting clubs, volunteer and sponsors, who all contribute towards a successful regatta.

For more information, visit the regatta website » www.murraysbay.org/events/optimist-nationals

To view the entry list click here