NZL Yachting Trust- Optimists - SAS arrive for battle

by John Jennings on 21 Oct 2014 John Jennings reports on the build up by the NZL Yachting Trust Optimist Team ahead of the 2014 Optimist Worlds in Argentina:

In theory I should be reporting on two days of racing from the Pre-Worlds but in practice it has been two days not too dissimilar to what has preceded them.

Saturday morning the NZL team were right behind Team GBR at the front of the queue to gets their boats measured. From a distant vantage point it all seemed to be fairly straightforward although Kerensa told me she thought it was quite stressful. Perhaps that it is true as she later sited the example of her HKG friend who’s sail failed to measure and her coach had to head down town to have the window recut. As it happened the only issue was Jacko had incorrect certificate for his sail so had to shell out USD 50 for his sail to be measured (attention to detail Scott K!).

So it was then reattach sails, put boats back together; all had to be stripped and weighed with small wooden blocks applied to the newer boats. Then it was lunch and out with Crystal to the race course with what seemed to be a pretty decent breeze. The parents decided to retire to one of the main club house restaurants (similar menu, similar prices but superior presentation and service). The superior service of course included the opportunity to be persuaded to 'upsize' so we all succumbed to a bowl of helados (ice cream); so much for the intent to hit the gym. It was also hoped to update followers via email, Facebook etc. but the Wi-Fi at the club has collapsed.

It appeared some teams were returning early and sure enough the NZL team reappeared a little earlier than anticipated to report that the racing was a shambles with boats 20-30 boat lengths above the start line at the gun. In the end the NZL team resorted to setting their own start line. I can only imagine how frustrating the RO and course officials must have found it; pretty sure I would have thrown my toys out of the cot and retired for an early beer (sure enough by Sunday morning a Notice to Competitors appeared on the notice board chastising the sailors about their attitude).

Possibly of more significance on Saturday was the arrival of the SAS; Sara, Alan and Susan. So Alan and Sara are now in residence with Rob and Anna in the B&B in Beccar (sin breakfast but con (with) lots of friendly help from the owners) whilst El Grande Senor and Susan have moved to an apartment in San Isidro; all pretty much equidistant from one another and CNSI.

On Sunday sailing took second stage to the priority activity which was getting everyone to the Estadio Antonio Vespucio Liberti stadium (aka El Monumento) for River Plate vs Belgrano; please no one embarrass themselves by asking who are River Plate (Belgrano fair enough!)

The team headed out for a morning sail and flagged the regatta, coming in for lunch and clean up and head into BA. Meanwhile we started hearing tales of woe from other teams based at same accommodation as the Ozzies; to be fair it sounds pretty rank. Several teams have apparently submitted formal complaints; all told 'if you don’t like it find your own accommodation and no refund, which apparently one team has done.

Almost upstaging the chap in the Caballeros is the swarm of white trouser chaps who assist the sailors with boat entry and recovery. This is another service that MBSC should certainly consider offering. Unfortunately I think it might extend only as far as inviting me and others to 'go and buy your own white trousers'.

Rob with the magnificent assistance of Claudia Lardies from back(!) in NZ worked tirelessly to secure us tickets to the game but it all looked to have unravelled big time when our tickets were confiscated outside the stadium by security/PFA (Police Federal Argentina). An agonising hour passed whilst we contemplated having been well and truly stung by the tour guide when a couple of club officials came down and escorted us into the stadium. Sorry to upset all you boof head rugby fans out there but the hair standing up on the back of your neck, ear drum pounding atmosphere makes Eden Park look like a Sunday church service (entertainment comparison on and off the pitch the same as well J).

Pretty intimidating for poor old Belgrano as away fans are now banned from attending games here so around 55,000 fans baying for their blood throughout. Despite the appearance of one large block of fans that entered en masse whilst we were in 'custody' there was no evidence of any unruly behaviour anywhere. A big tick on the bucket list - Sth. American football match – Fantástico. And just in case your didn’t already know that football is the be all and end all of existence – checking out the electronics stores it was noted that the latest range of TVs here come with a dedicated 'Football' button on the RC (heaven) and you can buy your ice creams in the colours of your team!

Buenas Noche