NZIODA Development Team returns from Noumea

by NZIODA on 22 Oct 2016 The New Zealand Optimist Development Team recently competed in the New Caledonia Optimist Nationals. The team consisted of five 11 year olds (Amelia Angus, Ned Bacon, George Pilkington and Lizzie Shapland) and five 12 year olds (Luke Armstrong, Suede Cowley, Luc Gladwell, Wilbur Stanley and Sean Sun).

The team trained together in Auckland over winter with their coaches Matt Coutts and Tim Adair. This off-season training allowed them to hone their sailing skills, improve their fitness and truly become a team.

Noumea’s reputation for consistent breeze did not disappoint throughout the team’s time in New Caledonia. During the lead up to the regatta the sailors trained in a breeze of between 6 - 12 knots while during the regatta the wind speed increased each day culminating in a consistent 15 knots during the final day.

The New Zealand Team performed extremely well, most enjoying a placing in the top 20. The highest placing team member was Suede Cowley from QCYC (he came seventh) while Amelia Angus of Kohi was awarded prizes for being third placed 11 year old and third placed girl.

The entire team fell in love with Noumea with its swaying palms, plethora of kite surfers and warm, clear water. The non-sailing highlight was an amazing day on Duck Island, swimming with tropical fish and turtles.

Team Manager Mark Shapland said, “The New Caledonia Nationals is the perfect start to a young sailor’s international sailing career. We are very proud of the NZIODA 2016 Noumea Development Squad, the improvement they have shown and their performance at the regatta. The team and their parents are very grateful to SRC Yacht Club for hosting such a well-run regatta and for their generosity. We also thank Matt and Tim for their excellent coaching and NZIODA and OWNZ for their support.”