Optimist Worlds - a South African View

by South African Optimist Team on 4 Aug 2005 Greetings once again from the RSA Team in Switzerland.

We have finished our two-day break, (team racing & rest-day). We were 29th position for the team-racing ranking (53 countries have entered the regatta). The first 15 teams qualified – based on the results of the top four sailors in each country after 5 races). Switzerland was given an honorary position. Argentina won the team racing which was held over the last two days.

We had such fun on our day off yesterday. First we caught a train to Samedan, two villages away, and watched a model airshow. Then we went up two cable-cars to one of the highest peaks in the area - 3300 meters. Once on top we had fun playing in the snow, sliding across a half frozen lake (Matthew was the only one who had the patience to wait in a hour and a half queue), going underground under the glacier into little caves. We had dinner up the mountain, and came down at about half past nine - it was a glorious sight, bonfires were burning all over the mountainside and in the villages, and there was a continuous fireworks display - it was Swiss National Day. The boom-booms went into the night and luckily we all had a late start the next day so we could all sleep late.

We are now onto our fourth day of sailing. Updated results for Day 1, Day 2 & Day 3 (after 1 discard) are listed below:

Day 1, 2 & 3 Results
Brevan Thompson: 30; 31; 47; 13; 50; 55; 10; 30; 26; overall position 97

Taariq Jacobs: 30; 40; 46; 19; 14; 12; 73; 39; 40 overall position 98

Matthew Shaw: 31; 58; 51; 44; 41; 53; 21; 51; 39 overall position 150

Andrew Collier: 45; 51; 25; 58; 54; 65; 64; 69; 63 overall position 189

Chris Gough: 74; 50; 55; 56; 76; 48; 70; 66; 68 overall position 209

Three races were planned for today (Tuesday 2nd August – fourth racing day). Racing was due to start at 1pm. A cold front moved in over Switzerland, bringing rain and no thermal winds. The boats were launched, and the sailors waited around the starting area for about an hour, with no significant wind. The race was postponed, and then racing for the day was abandoned.

Racing is scheduled for tomorrow (Wednesday) for 10am. The boys have gone to bed early, ready for an early start. There are six more races left, and the Closing Ceremony is on Thursday evening. Please make a note that this will be filmed live on www.sporttv.ch from 19h45. Look out for the SA Jester hats, and the best-dressed team making the loudest noise.

The boys are focused for these last six races, and are keen to get out on the water.

Thank you for all your messages of encouragement and support. They boost us each day!

Cheers from Heidi Country