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North Sails Performance 2023 - LEADERBOARD

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.
38 South / Jeanneau AUS SF30 OD - FOOTERHyde Sails 2022 One Design FOOTERVetus-Maxwell 2021 v2 FOOTER

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