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Sail-World.com : Optimist World Team Racing Championship

Optimist World Team Racing Championship

'Optimists racing at 2008 Worlds. Photo: Esra Karahan'

The IODA Team Racing World Championships were held today with the course set just 50 metres from shore. Sixteen teams had qualified and they began racing in 12 knots of breeze. The current holders Greece had failed to qualify which left Singapore, last years runners up, hopeful of success this year.

The most exciting early match was between Sweden and Germany. Racing was close until Sweden had a capsize on leg 3 but, through some brilliant sailing which included taking one of the German boats way out to the left of the course, Sweden won to cheers and applause from the enthusiastic crowds gathered close by on the shore.

Top seeds New Zealand progressed well until they encountered Singapore and were then eliminated by a second loss against Denmark. Denmark themselves were then beaten by US Virgin I. who then sailed against Puerto Rico for a chance of a top three position. This match drew much shouting from the spectators as USVI were penalised by the umpires for an incident at mark 2 right in front of the crowd and Puerto Rico eventually sailed to an easy win. Bermuda, despite a first round loss to Uruguay, won three races to come through the repechage with three victories before losing out to Puerto Rico.

This set the stage for the best of three race final between Puerto Rico and Singapore. Puerto Rico started well in race 1 and went on to win by 13 points to 23. This put the pressure on Singapore. Again Puerto Rico started well but by mark 2 the teams were tied with 18 points each. Ties are broken in favour of the team that crosses the line second and the points combinations kept changing as boats went back to help a team mate sail through. This was team racing at its most exciting with the young sailors demonstrating superb sailing skills and tactics as the points advantage changed time after time in the last 100 metres before the finish. Finally as they crossed the finish, a jubilant Singapore were declared the winners, 15 - 21.

As the boats manoeuvred on the line for the start of the final race, the wind increased slightly to a steady 15 knots. The slightly heavier Puerto Rican team seemed to have an advantage upwind and had a winning 1,2,3,7 combination as they rounded mark 1. They maintained their lead although Singapore challenged the third Puerto Rico boat without success. As the boats approached the finish line with Puerto Rico still ahead, they bunched and Puerto Rico was penalised by the umpires. As the boat took its turns penalty, it looked like Singapore might just surge ahead but Puerto Rico had done enough and crossed the line as well deserved World Champions.

Results:
1 Puerto Rico
2 Singapore
3 U.S. Virgin I.

Full results: http://www.optiworld.org/team_result.pdf
Event website: http://www.optinam2008.org

by IODA 10:32 PM Sun 20 Jul 2008 GMT

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