Optimist British and Open Champs - Sir Ben Ainslie inspires youngsters
by Amy Cada on 8 Aug 2014
Volvo Gill Optimist British and Open Championships Amy Cada
Sunshine and wind every day of the week has made for one of the best Volvo Gill Optimist British and Open Championships in recent memory, and today [Thursday 7 August] was no different for the Optimist sailors at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy.
Light wind in the morning averaging six to eight knots gave the advantage to light weight sailors and those that are tactically aware. Around midday, the sea breeze started to fight the gradient wind, which resulted in an hour of waiting until the sea breeze won, giving the Optimist sailors 10 to 12 knots for afternoon racing.
Overall the shift breeze proved challenging for the race organizer and sailors, however both the Senior Fleet (Main) and Junior Fleet (Main) had three races. These were marked by the most start line penalties of the event so far, indicating a rise in competitiveness from the sailors on the penultimate day of the Championships.
Top sailors from abroad continue to dominate the Senior and Junior Fleets (Main), indicating that international countries have chosen to send their very best sailors; a credit to the quality of event that the organizers have put on and a good experience for British sailors. Alexandra Schonrock continues to be the top sailor in either of the Main Fleets, sitting second overall in the Junior Fleet (Main).
‘Viking sailors’ took over the Regatta Fleet, who had their ‘Sail Away’ day today, which consisted of a few fun races that did not count towards the overall event scoring. The ‘Vikings’ sailed to Castle Cove Sailing Club where there were fun and games on the beach before a cracking sail back to the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy. The Regatta Fleet goes back into regular racing for the final day of the event tomorrow.
After sailing activities saw kids and their friends having a great time and enjoying the camaraderie that sailing is all about.
Sir Ben Ainslie made a special appearance after racing and spent some quality time with the next generation of sailors. After a short talk, the Olympic champion and America’s Cup winner, signed everything from t-shirts to Optimist rudders. Excitement in the boat park continued as the sailors took part in a ‘fun run’ held by the Andrew Simpson Sailing Foundation, which was started by Sir Ben Ainslie, who is an ambassador for the charity.
Senior Fleet Gold
Entries: 87 - Total Races Sailed: 20
Provisional Results
|
|
|
Series Place
|
Sail No
|
Helm
|
M/F
|
Prize Age
|
Series Points
|
Race 6A
|
Race 6B
|
Race 7A
|
Race 7B
|
Race 8
|
Race 9
|
Race 10
|
Race 11
|
Race 12
|
Race 13
|
1
|
BEL1167
|
Lennert STEELANDT
|
M
|
15
|
37
|
1
|
|
6
|
|
6
|
5
|
5
|
7
|
2
|
21
|
2
|
ESP2402
|
Albert GELPI
|
M
|
15
|
63
|
3
|
|
10
|
|
18
|
3
|
10
|
4
|
1
|
18
|
3
|
NED3099
|
Annabelle WESTERHOF
|
F
|
14
|
71
|
|
5
|
|
5
|
41
|
4
|
2
|
26
|
7
|
24
|
4
|
MON1412
|
Alexander ILSLEY
|
M
|
15
|
72
|
SPE88
|
|
1
|
|
25
|
37
|
4
|
3
|
5
|
2
|
5
|
NED3125
|
Jelmer VELDS
|
M
|
14
|
76
|
5
|
|
3
|
|
28
|
14
|
6
|
12
|
64
|
1
|
6
|
6271
|
Vita HEATHCOTE
|
F
|
13
|
96
|
4
|
|
16
|
|
4
|
22
|
19
|
74
|
71
|
26
|
7
|
ESP974
|
Eduard FERRER CARVAJAL
|
M
|
14
|
102
|
|
6
|
|
8
|
58
|
12
|
55
|
17
|
11
|
31
|
8
|
NOR3808
|
Uffe TOMASGAARD
|
M
|
14
|
103
|
|
10
|
|
4
|
10
|
1
|
1
|
60
|
29
|
52
|
9
|
FRA2392
|
Ulysse MIGRAINE
|
M
|
14
|
113
|
|
3
|
|
1
|
61
|
58
|
13
|
37
|
28
|
12
|
10
|
FRA2436
|
Lou anne MORIN
|
F
|
15
|
116
|
20
|
|
18
|
|
8
|
10
|
27
|
6
|
35
|
33
|
|
Junior Fleet Gold
Entries: 73 - Total Races Sailed: 20
Provisional Results
|
|
|
Series Place
|
Sail No
|
Helm
|
M/F
|
Prize Age
|
Series Points
|
Race 6A
|
Race 6B
|
Race 7A
|
Race 7B
|
Race 8
|
Race 9
|
Race 10
|
Race 11
|
Race 12
|
Race 13
|
1
|
ESP2442
|
Arnau GELPI
|
M
|
12
|
22
|
|
2
|
|
1
|
1
|
SCP5
|
2
|
1
|
18
|
4
|
2
|
6230
|
Alexandra SCHONROCK
|
F
|
12
|
32
|
|
1
|
|
2
|
10
|
3
|
3
|
22
|
15
|
3
|
3
|
IRL1461
|
Micheal O'SUILLEABHAIN
|
M
|
12
|
36
|
1
|
|
1
|
|
31
|
10
|
1
|
10
|
25
|
1
|
4
|
ESP2426
|
Nil SUBIRATS POCH
|
M
|
12
|
38
|
2
|
|
6
|
|
4
|
15
|
8
|
2
|
14
|
14
|
5
|
6214
|
William HEATHCOTE
|
M
|
12
|
52
|
8
|
|
3
|
|
2
|
8
|
5
|
9
|
2
|
17
|
6
|
IRL1488
|
Jamie MCMAHON
|
M
|
12
|
54
|
6
|
|
7
|
|
3
|
22
|
7
|
7
|
33
|
13
|
7
|
6288
|
Haydn SEWELL
|
M
|
12
|
55
|
16
|
|
4
|
|
5
|
24
|
12
|
3
|
12
|
2
|
8
|
IRL1507
|
Tom HIGGINS
|
M
|
12
|
57
|
|
6
|
|
5
|
12
|
4
|
4
|
18
|
19
|
19
|
9
|
ESP2422
|
Eduardo OJEDA SUÀREZ
|
M
|
12
|
58
|
12
|
|
8
|
|
7
|
6
|
6
|
6
|
11
|
11
|
10
|
6180
|
Henry CHANDLER
|
M
|
12
|
85
|
9
|
|
14
|
|
34
|
5
|
13
|
14
|
10
|
SPE74
|
11
|
5500
|
Archie LECKIE
|
M
|
11
|
95
|
3
|
|
9
|
|
16
|
17
|
9
|
19
|
48
|
SPE74
|
|
Racing is scheduled to continue tomorrow morning at 11.00 AM with only one race left to go to complete the entire series.
For full results and more information, visit the official
event website.
If you want to link to this article then please use this URL: www.sail-world.com/125349