South Africa ready for Optimist Worlds

by RSA Optimist Team on 28 Jul 2005 From the South African Optimist Team on their buildup for the Optimist World Championships. Note the URL for the live web-cast (it is running!)

'Well, we are drawing closer to D-day! Our boys are well prepared and organised. They have done all the controllables, and we can only wish them 'good luck' for the uncontrollables. It was such a good idea arriving early. We are familiar with the venue and the way things operate here.

'Preparation on the water has gone well. We have spent the past three days plotting the course right and left with some interesting results. The wind has blown consistently from early in the morning at between 8 & 15 knots. This has been as a result of a front that has moved through Europe, but we are due to have the thermal winds again, which start blowing at around 11am building up from 5 knots to 15 knots by 2pm.

'We will be giving daily reports on the sailing for all. Rob will be trying out his ‘dik wiel’ bicycle - with number plate and all!

'We have all had some fun over these past few days – and the boys have been really well behaved. Our hotel is great, we manage to dry our sailing kit each day, our breakfasts are nourishing and healthy, we have tasty suppers with the other teams staying in the hotel – Poland, Virgin Islands, Spain, Qatar. Our boys already have the reputation of being very friendly and welcoming, and we have had to fend off the odd late night female visitor.

'Our sailors are all getting on well as a team, they are all in high spirits and well focussed for the racing.

'Hot off the press: They will be filming all races live on the Internet. Go to www.sporttv.ch. There will also be a link from the Optimist Worlds home page viz.www.optimist.ch. It is not up and running yet – but keep checking.

'Our first race is scheduled to start at 1100hrs tomorrow (Thursday 28th). We have been allocated our colours & bow numbers, viz.

Andrew Collier, RSA 1329 = PINK 'Silvaplana' bow no. 081
Chris Gough, RSA 1347 = RED 'Harken' bow no. 131
Brevan Thompson, RSA 1370 = BLUE 'Musto' bow no. 231
Matthew Shaw, RSA 1369 = GREEN 'Sebago' bow no. 181
Taariq Jacobs, RSA 1319 = WHITE 'FSE' bow no. 031

'We are preparing for our tune race at 2pm today – and then on to the Opening Ceremony – with Jester hats and all!

'Whatever the outcome of this regatta, remember that the sailors have been well prepared, and are trying their best. This is a huge learning curve for them, not only for future Optimist regattas, but also for sailing as youths and adults.'

Source: www.smoothsailing.co.za