Toyota Optimist Nationals- Bacon holds small lead after Day 2

by James Harris, NZ Optimist Assoc on 5 Apr 2015 Young sailors from Wellington, Auckland, and Australia are jostling for the best places in the qualifying races of the Toyota New Zealand Optimist National Championships.

After the second day of racing at Worser Bay Boating Club, local Sam Bacon has won 4 of 8 races to hold a slender lead over twins Sam and Pat Morgan from Auckland’s Kohimarama Yacht Club. Sydney’s Otto Henry took advantage of Sunday’s lighter winds to work his way up to fifth overall. The fastest girl is Australian Ashleigh Swadling, followed by Wakatere’s Alice Haslett.

In the Green Fleet, first day leader Emelie Bouchet of Noume´a has stayed well ahead on points despite compatriot Guedel Tymeo notching two clear wins.

Pat Morgan of Kohimarama recovered from a gear breakage in the very first race when his mast fell victim to Wellington’s wind. After discarding that result, he jumped up the leaderboard with three first places and three seconds.

The Toyota NZ Optimist National Championships are the starting point for many well- known New Zealand sailors. Past winners include world Optimist champion Chris Steele and new America’s Cup helm Peter Burling.

200 sailors and their families have travelled to Wellington for the 2015 competition. “It’s especially pleasing to have 50 entries in the Green fleet, with sailors as young as 8 competing in their first national championships. This level of dedication and enthusiasm is what makes sailing such a popular New Zealand sport”, says Angus Haslett, outgoing NZ International Optimist Dinghy Association president.

The Championships conclude with finals on Monday and Tuesday. “It will be fiercely contested”, said Mr Haslett. “Sailing rewards consistency, and the top ten sailors are all capable of achieving a win on the day”.

www.optimistnationals.org.nz , www.facebook.com/WorserBayBoatingClub