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Optimist Open and Training at Blackwater Sailing Club

by Lucy Purnell 27 Sep 2024 15:51 BST 21-22 September 2024
Race start during the Blackwater Optimist Open © Wren Carver

Last weekend a fleet of almost 70 Optimist dinghies descended upon Blackwater Sailing Club, for a full weekend of sailing. The weather gods played in our favour as we hung on to, what still felt like, Summer.

Saturday was a training day with sailors split between seven coaches for some classroom tuition followed by four hours on the water. Drills and mock races put the sailors through their paces, honing skills as well as learning new techniques. This weekend was also a qualifier for 'Team East', the winter training programme that is replacing the RYA run RTG of previous years. Lead coach Bryan Ormond assessed the fleet looking for candidates for the team, which will be announced soon.

The facilities at Blackwater are perfect for allowing sailors of all levels to take part in the proceedings. For those embarking on their sailing journey, the lake was the perfect location. Sailors here took part in games and activities gently coaching them on the water. Sunday they even managed three races which were won overall by Joshua Gillow.

Meanwhile back at the club house, 47 sailors were briefed and put afloat for an afternoon of racing. The threat of thunder storms never materialised and the competitors were met with a perfect light breeze, under cloudy skies. The 16 strong Regatta fleet completed three races on a windward leeward course. The first race was won by West Mersea sailor, Hannah Child. Hannah had a huge lead over the rest of the fleet and secured the first win of the series. However, it was Harriet Fletcher who took wins in the next two races giving her the overall event win. Great sailing from a fleet whom many of which are starting their racing journey.

The Main fleet had 31 sailors vying for a place on the start line. With the full moon providing spring tides, the sailors had to judge the line carefully to cross in a timely fashion. It was local sailor, Callum Marshall who showed a clean pair of heels in race one, but he struggled in the second posting a 10th. It seemed the choppy, light conditions were putting the sailors through their paces and created inconsistency in the results across the fleet. However, Marshall managed a 3rd and 1st place in the remaining two races respectively, giving him the overall Open Meeting title. The talent in the East is strong and fiercely competitive, only four points separated 2nd to 7th place, it was a close run event. Congratulations also go to Monty Levell in 2nd place and Isaac Thomas in 3rd. The weekend closed with the prize-giving and a special 'sprit guard of honour' for Lexa Taylor-Green and Amelie Fairhead who were leaving the class, we wish them luck with their future sailing.

The East is a thriving hub of Optimist sailors and we delight in creating events to cater for all abilities and ages. This weekend saw GBR squad sailors alongside those new to the sport and learning. It's a great environment to encourage everyone to get out on to the water and take part in the sport with their friends. Thanks go to Jake Fairhead and his team at Blackwater Sailing Club for hosting us this weekend and providing a great platform for learning, competing and most importantly, having fun!

Overall Results:

Main Fleet

PosSail NoHelmClubR1R2R3R4Pts
1st6657Callum MarshallBlackwater Sailing Club1(10)315
2nd6144Monty LevellEYC481(14)13
3rd5997Isaac ThomasWaveney & Oulton Broad Yacht Club(16)72514
4th6432Oscar CoatesTSC(7)35614
5th6330Thomas ChildDabchicks/ WMYC(12)112215
6th6563Rupert PurnellEYC39(16)315
7th6660Stella DaveyRHYC2(14)6917
8th6490Lucas DayDabchicks/WMYC5(18)15424
9th6107Rory LuddingtonCorinthian Otters9124(DNF)25
10th6601Amelie Fairheadblackwater sailing club11410(OCS)25
11th6229Kit BentallNBYC106(17)1228
12th6307Oscar PurnellEYC(19)157729
13th6551Elvi CoatesTSC8(13)13829
14th6309Adam GillowChipstead SC(18)2141531
15th6231Beatrice LongOtters/SSC15119(18)35
16th583Sebastian RichardsonRHYC13178(22)38
17th5960Jess CunninghamEYC/OTTERS(28)16111138
18th4404Henrietta highfieldRollesby/NBYC(24)5201742
19th6220Frederick (Freddie) BarnesCorinthian Otters62619(OCS)51
20th5754Phoebe PhillpotRHYC2020(21)1353
21st6489Jacob RichardsonRHYC2125(30)1056
22nd6163Arthur RogersRHYC14(28)182456
23rd6638Lexa Taylor‑GreenDabchicks17(23)222160
24th5958Harry CunninghamEYC/OTTERS(29)22231661
25th5215Angus longOtters/SSC2219(26)2566
26th5590Lila CoatesTSC2721(31)1967
27th6425Mia TolhurstRCYC26(27)242070
28th5725Claudia BentallNBYC2324(27)2673
29th6294Sophie SinclairChipstead SC25(31)252777
30th6312Poppy ClarkRCYC(30)29292381
31st4093Iola Thomas 313028(3289

Regatta Fleet

PosSail NoHelmR1R2R3R4Pts
1st5806Harriet Fletcher(6)1135
2nd6418Hannah Child123(4)6
3rd6317Leonie Fairhead3(5)418
4th6665Oliver Keeble(4)4228
5th6516Matthew Marshall(7)35513
6th5262Henry Jones2(9)6816
7th5931Elliott Gardner56(9)718
8th5700Isla Steggals88(10)622
9th4790Molly Mears(15)137929
10th5155Noah Crowhurst9(12)111030
11th6194Mirriam Springett137(DNC)1232
12th5799Fearne Wiseman101014(DNC)34
13th5313Emily Steggals12158(DNC)35
14th5010Daniel Nichols111113(DNC)35
15th4483Poppy Birkin1414(DNC)1139
16th6496Harry North161612(DNC)44

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