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North Sails Loft 57 Podcast

Qindao International Optimist Regatta - The taste of success

by Phil Hall on 5 Sep 2013
Steven Case accepts his winning awards. Kate Daley
At the recent Qindao International Optimist Regatta, Australia tasted success with Victorian Steven Case (12) from the Sorrento Sailing and Couta Boat Club winning the event with a three point margin.

Two days of coaching followed by three days of racing held over tricky light airs and bumpy water gave our sailors a chance to mix it up with teams from Singapore, Korea, Spain and China.

The venue was the 2008 Olympic Sailing facility which also added to the excitement.

Supported by coach David White and managed by Kate Harper, this team performed very well and created life long memories and experiences.

China put on spectacular Opening and Closing ceremonies that were beamed to millions of television viewers.

Adding to Steven Case's victory was Campbell Rickard who put in a great regatta finishing seventh and Charlie Hiam and Michael Parks also sailing brilliantly finishing in the top half of the fleet.

In the Girls division, Jess Harper from Daveys Bay YC showed great improvement finishing seventh and Ella Sharman not far behind in ninth.

A huge 'thank you' goes to the Chinese Organising Authority for accommodating, feeding, providing boats and a guide, YV in assisting in administering team selection, Coach David White, Manager Kate Harper and the huge support from traveling parents Nonie Rickard and Tony Parks.

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