The IOCA UK Optimist Winter Championships were held over 15-16th November hosted by Rutland Sailing Club with 128 Optimists travelling to compete on a chilly and wet weekend. The British winter was not enough to dampen their spirits and in breezes of 10-15knots they set out onto the water full of enthusiasm.
Main Fleet included 93 boats with Nigel Biggs leading the race committee in control of the race course as the first day was described as 'snakes and ladders racing' within the four flights with variable breeze on the far side of the lake. Laszlo Drummond led on day 1 with three 1st places under his belt.
Day two saw lots of movement in the results table with close scores across the fleets. Six races were completed over the weekend, Jonny Rogers was able to take first overall by 2 points, with Laszlo Drummond 2nd, Sean Di Salle close behind in 3rd overall. Lizzie Hudson took 1st girl in 10th place, Archie Dowling 1st under 10 in 15th overall, and Theo Fox 1st under 11 in 17th place.
Regatta Fleet had 33 entries, their course slightly closer to the clubhouse with more consistent breeze. Race committee was led by George Atwell ensuring 8 races were successfully completed by the fleet. 1st place was taken by Evelyn Rogerson with an impressive six race wins, 2nd place went to Leo Ellis-Asquith who stepped up his game on Day 2, and 3rd place to Xenia Hudson-Evans with points close between the first four sailors in the fleet.
The Coached Regatta fleet included 4 sailors and combined training and racing, with five races completed across the weekend. Led by Coach Lola Andrews their determination and sticking power was unmatched. They were still on the water long after the Main and Regatta Fleets had retired to the shore on Sunday afternoon, running on hot chocolate power and enthusiasm to build their racing skills! Well done to Fletch Sheely (1st), William Zhang (2nd), Zoe Grundy (3rd), Amina Melhem (4th).
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