Optimist Pacific Rim Championship

by Sail Melbourne media on 3 Jan 2007 With another day of variable wind conditions off Mornington Yacht Club the skills and tactics of the Optimist sailors were tested. After 8 races, Harald Faste NOR3427 from Norway is dominating the open fleet in the Pacific Rim & Open International Optimist Championship held as part of Sail Melbourne.

With 7 points between them Ko Chaun and brothers Peter and Mark Wong all from Singapore hold the next three places.

Matthew Wearn AUS295 from WA is the top Australian currently in 5th place. A member at Royal Perth Yacht Club Matthew learnt to sail in Optimists through the junior sailing program. The Optimist has been a feature at Royal Perth for many years, taking youngsters from when they have their first sail up to state and national level. Matthew has been sailing an Optimist for three seasons and in that time has rapidly improved, rising from 75th place in his first Optimist Nationals in Singapore to 37th place in June 2006,in a fleet of over 200 boats. Matthew is aiming for a top three position in the Pacific Rim Championships and top Australian. Once finished at this regatta Matthew is off to the Australian Optimist Championships in Hobart where he is sure to be at the top of the fleet.

Steven Bond instrumental in organising the Pacific Rim event will again be providing Optimists for sailors to charter in Hobart through Ozi Opti, for more details go to www.oziopti.com.au

The Green fleet is being dominated by Elin Klitte from Sweden .With a perfect score line across 7 races Elin is looking unbeatable. Charlotte de Lange AUS342 with 16 points is currently in second place on count back, holding off John Radnell AUS233 . Competition for the top three places is very close with Rhett Gowans AUS343 in 4th place only a point behind with 17. With the championship finishing tomorrow there is sure to be a battle on the water for medal positions.

www.sailmelbourne.com.au