Magic Marine Optimist Easter Regatta at Lake Braassemermeer
by Carrie Howe 4 Apr 2016 08:17 AEST
25-28 April 2016
Coaches and winners at the Magic Marine Optimist Easter Regatta Braassemermeer © Alan Williams
The 39 strong GBR Optimist Team made its way over to Brassemermeer just south of Amsterdam for the 31st Magic Marine Easter International during the last week of March.
It was a 4 day event was characterised by strong winds throughout the whole weekend, which proved to be a test of endurance and resilience for the sailors.
The fleet was split up into 4 flights for qualifying and then 3 flights for the final series.
The team enjoyed 2 days of training and raced with the USA and Finnish teams and Matthew Hardie sailed particularly well in the lighter wind on Thursday.
Good Friday
Racing started on Good Friday afternoon which saw 3 races in 10-15kts from the North west, Julia Mellors had a very consistent day scoring 3,2,3, Jamie Cook, 7,2,1, Tom Dawson, 3,3,8 and Haydn Sewell scored a bullet.
Other notable results from the day were from Oliver Dowson-Mcgill with a 6 and 7, Ellen Main 2 and 6, Wiliam Pank 6 and 3. A good day for the GBR team.
What was really impressive was that when Sam's mast foot weld snapped off, during the start of race 1, and we had to take him in, a group of mums turned up with a tool box and sorted it out, fixed it and got Sam back out afloat - Not a man to be seen!
Saturday
The sailors were greeted by a strengthening south easterly which trended right on Saturday and another 3 races. It became progressively windier and the race officer had to send the fleet in for a break when it became just too windy to bail!
After a short rest the fleet emerged for a third race in an equally strong wind.
Julia scored 1,1,2. Jamie Cook, 9,1,1. Ellen Main 7,2,4. Archie Leckie,6,17,9. Haydn Sewell, 2,12,9. Other notable results from the day included Oliver Dowson Mcgill 3, Henry Chandler 5, Sam Kneale 7, Phoebie Le Marchand 9,9, and Lizzie Beardsall a consistent 12,10,7.
Sunday
The fleet launched in a moderate Southerly only to be brought back to the shore for a long wait whilst a decision took place on whether to run 3 or 4 flights in the final series. In the end it was decided to run gold, silver, bronze in the final series.
The wind had built significantly and the racing took place in a pretty cold strengthening southerly with some gusts upto 30kts. The coaches spent most of their time making sure that the sailors were depowered enough for the conditions. The first gold fleet race saw James Foster take the bullet, Barty Gray 7th and Julia Mellers 8th. The second gold fleet race was breeze on and there was some uncertainty about how many would finish the race, but finish it did.
At the finish of the second race the fleet was sent in to shelter. And after a lengthy delay the Gold fleet was sent out to face the conditions and 3rd gold fleet race was held. Ellen Main managed a 6, and Julia an 11th, everyone else form the GBR team was just happy to get around and all had stories to tell.
The wind then dropped off and led to a glorious sunny evening.
In the Silver fleet Fergus Fox dominated with a 7 and a 2, to take 1st overall in the silver fleet, followed by Lauren Discombe in 12th and Callum Davidson- Guild in 13th.
Easter Monday
With 100 mile an hour winds battering the UK, and about 35+ kts over the lake it wasn't surprising that racing was canned and prize giving set for 1100.
Overall in the Gold fleet, the Dutch dominated overall and excelled in the strong conditions along with Michael O'Suilleabhain from Ireland, GBR still had 3 in the top 10, and 1st girls overall along with 1st in the silver fleet.
So a great effort from the team, and a lot of strong wind sailing experience.
Thanks to Milly Gray for being the event organiser, parents for bringing RIBs and the coaches for their support.
Top Results from Gold Fleet:
1. TeunIn De Maur (Holland) 24pts
2. Michael O'Suilleabhain (Ireland) 26pts
3. Bjarne Bouwer Holland (GBR) 26pts
5. Julia Mellors (GBR) 42pts - 1st girl
7. Jamie Cook (GBR)
9. Archie Lechie (GBR)
12. Ellen Main (GBR)
Silver Fleet - 1st - Fergus Fox (GBR)
Junior Sailors - 4th - Harvey Leigh (GBR)