Optimist British and Open Champs - Sir Ben Ainslie inspires youngsters

by Amy Cada on 8 Aug 2014 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.