IOCA North East Area Optimist Championship at Derwent Reservoir Sailing Club

IOCA North East Championship at Derwent Reservoir © David Shilling

Carburettor Cup during the IOCA North East Championship at Derwent Reservoir © David Shilling

IOCA North East Championship at Derwent Reservoir © David Shilling

Beautiful blue skies above Derwent Reservoir welcomed 29 optimist sailors on the 29th and 30th of June for the 2019 IOCA North East Area Championship.

Sailors came from as far away as West Kirby, Kielder Water, Ripon and Teesdale. At registration all sailors were welcomed with a goody pack of suncream and UV wrist bands from Sunsense and bandannas from Carehub. All essential for the hot, sunny weekend.

On Saturday morning a pleasant easterly breeze filled in just in time for the first race. A fleet of 13 main fleet competitors and 16 boats in the Regatta fleet sailed out to complete four races set by Howard Armstrong and his able race team.

Saturday's Main Fleet 1st places were taken by Christopher Hampshire, David Bromilow and brother Patrick Bromilow getting two 1st places. With some solid results from Abi Cowley and Adam Bell, four sailors were under 10 points over night. In the Coached Regatta fleet Max Yeowart, Fergus Drysdale and Toby Waggett battled it out for the top spot, each securing a 1st place, with only a single point to spare. Due to Sunday turning out too windy for the regatta fleet, Max went on to claim the Regatta trophy, Fergus Drysdale getting second, Toby Waggett third and Isobel Sandow was fourth and first girl.

Saturday evening social activities included fabulous food and the return of the now famous Carburettor Cup (aka the soap box challenge), with thrills and spills. Elisabeth Shilling lifting the Cup following a truly formula one performance.

On Sunday morning sailors were greeted with challenging conditions with 18 knots and stronger gusts forecast the Main Fleet took to the water early. In the stronger winds, Abi Cowley took two consecutive bullets, Patrick Bromilow taking 1st in the seventh and Pete Cowley getting a 1st in the last race of the series. Patrick Bromilow won first place overall, Abi Cowley taking second and the silver plate for North East Champion, with David Bromilow getting bronze position.

Dave Shilling, RYA regional squad coach presented prizes sponsored by Storrar Marine and the IOCA.

Following on from such a successful Championship, the DRSC Optimist fleet are looking forward to welcoming junior sailors and their families to the RYA North Area Junior Championships on the 28th and 29th of September 2019.

Overall Results: