Magic Marine Optimist open meeting at Hayling Island Sailing Club
by Helen Wilder 20 May 11:35 BST
16-17 May 2026
Magic Marine Optimist open meeting at Hayling Island © Peter Hickson
The HISC x Magic Marine Optimist Open Meeting at Hayling Island Sailing Club delivered a
fantastic weekend of racing across three fleets, with over 110 sailors from clubs across the
country competing in challenging and memorable conditions.
From the developing talent in
the Coached Regatta Fleet through to the seasoned campaigners battling it out in the Bay,
the regatta showcased everything that makes Optimist sailing so special.
Coached Regatta Fleet
The Coached Regatta Fleet led by head coach Melvyn Cooper, saw 21 sailors take on a ten-
race programme across the two days, with almost perfect conditions.
Tom McKenna (HISC)
was the standout performer, claiming the overall win with a dominant display of consistency
that was a level above the rest of the fleet throughout the weekend.
Summer Greenland (HISC) had a superb weekend, finishing second overall and taking the
1st Girl prize - a brilliant double recognition of a very consistent series. Charlotte O'Keeffe
(HISC) was equally impressive, claiming third overall and 2nd Girl. Amina Melhem (HISC)
rounded out fourth and Audrey Driscoll (HISC) fifth to complete the prize positions.
In the 8
and Under category, Adam Oldale (PYC) claimed first place with Margot McCarthy (PYC)
taking second - a great showing from the PYC visitors. The prize winners for Coached
Regatta all received prizes from Blacksmith and Magic Marine.
The Endeavour Prize, sponsored by GP Watercraft and awarded in the form of a coaching
voucher, went to Eleanor Merron (HISC), a wonderful recognition of her progress and
commitment throughout the regatta.
Racing Regatta Fleet
With 44 entries, the Racing Regatta Fleet produced some of the most absorbing racing of
the weekend across 8 races. Dexter Truswell (RSYC) was on great form, claiming the
overall win and the 1st Aged 10 & Under prize - a remarkable double driven by dominant
race-winning form from the very first race. Blaise Kemp (BSC) took both second overall and
the 2nd Aged 10 & Under prize in a fine display of consistency throughout. Benji Foster
(HISC) completed the podium in third, a brilliant result for the home club.
Alexander Webley (HISC) finished fourth, with Clemmie Renard (DWSC) taking both fifth
overall and the 1st Girl prize. Peter Tyrrell (HISC) rounded out the top six, with Daniel
Pascoe (Castle) seventh and Benjamin Kirkham (HISC) eighth completing the prize
positions.
Among the girls, Edith Charles (WSC) claimed 2nd Girl and Jaydene Cooper
(HISC) 3rd Girl. The prize winners for Racing Regatta received prizes from Magic Marine.
The Endeavour Prize - a brand-new North Sail courtesy of GP Watercraft - went to Zoe
Grundy (HISC), a fitting reward for her efforts across the series.
Main Fleet
The Main Fleet faced the toughest conditions of the weekend, venturing out into the Bay
where choppy seas tested all 45 competitors across eight races.
Theo Fox (ESC) rose to the
occasion most impressively, claiming the overall title with a brilliant and composed
performance throughout. Arthur Rogers (RHYC) finished second, with Zoe Green (Netley)
outstanding in third overall and 1st Girl. Evelyn Rogerson (HISC) - the top home club
finisher - took both fourth overall and 2nd Girl. Felix Gladman (BSC) and Carwyn Parry
(PYC) rounded out the top six, with Rufus de la Haye (HISC) seventh and Charlotte Davis
(PYC) eighth - Charlotte also claiming 3rd Girl in a fine all-round performance.
In the Aged 10 & Under category, Archie Dowling claimed first with Finn Simmons (LTSC)
second. The prize winners for the Main Fleet received prizes from Magic Marine. The
Endeavour Prize - another brand-new North Sail from GP Watercraft - went to Maisie
Richmond (HISC), a popular and well-deserved recognition of her determination across the
weekend.
It was a truly memorable event from start to finish. The breadth of clubs represented across
all three fleets, from host club HISC, to visitors travelling from PYC, RSYC, BSC, DWSC,
WSC, ESC, RHYC, LTSC and many more, made for a wonderfully rich and competitive
regatta, and it was fantastic to welcome so many sailors and families to Hayling Island for
the weekend.
Peter Tyrrell (HISC) rounded off a fine personal weekend by being voted the overall
Sportsmanship Award winner, a fitting tribute to a sailor who embodied the very best spirit of
the sport.
And a final special mention too for Freddie Wilder (HISC) and Jack Ward (HISC),
who despite nursing broken wrists from other sporting adventures, refused to let that keep
them away from the water - Freddie lending his energy to rescue duty and Jack supporting
his dad with ARO duties throughout the weekend. A brilliant show of commitment to the
sport and their club.
A huge thank you to lead sponsor Magic Marine, and to all those who so generously
supported the event: GP Watercraft, T2 Architects, Wickham Orthodontics, Xtremity
Sports and SailPerformance / Blacksmith. Your support makes events like this possible
and is hugely appreciated by everyone at HISC.
We hope to see everyone back on the water
at HISC very soon!
Full results: www.sailwave.com/results/HISC/TheMagicMarineOptimistClassOpenMeeting.htm