International Optimist Meeting of Pescanova
by IODA on 16 Nov 2010
International Meeting of Pescanova International Optimist Dinghy Association (IODA)
http://www.optiworld.org/
International Optimist Meeting of Pescanova.
278 sailors from seven countries gathered in Vigo, on the North West of Spain, to sail the International Meeting of Pescanova. This event marked the end of the Semana Caixanova del Atlántico, a multi-cass big regatta organised by the Real Club Club Náutico de Vigo with the cooperation of the Spanish and Portuguese Sailing Federations and of the Federación de Galicia. In this edition of the 'Semana', the championship was attended by sailors from 12 countries and the number of competing boats reached nearly a thousand.
The Optimist Meeting took place in three days starting Saturday October 30. Sailors competed in three different categories according to age:
Categories A and B for sailors born between 1995 and 1999, who sailed together in one race course;
Category C for sailors born between 2000 and 2002, who sailed in a separate course.
The first day of races 'greeted' the sailors with strong winds and big swell but two races were completed with no major problems. Carlos Robles led the fleet after scoring two bullets.
The second day dawned again with strong winds and rough seas but this time the conditions got more difficult as the day progressed so the Race Committee, after consultation with the harbour authorities, decided to abandon the races.
The wind was reluctant to blow in the morning of the third day, threatening the validity of the championship, but finally, after two failed starts, a breeze of 10 knots settled from the North. Two more races were completed and a discard became effective.
Robles, a sailor from Barcelona who is the reigning Spanish Champion, was presented with the Gold medal for the second time. Silver went to Diogo Pereira from Portugal and bronze to Federico Botella from Spain. Scott Wallis, the current UK national champion finished sixth, and the Portuguese Francisco Maia was ranked fifth. In fourth overall and first among the girls, Silvia Mas sailed to her very best proving once more that she is one of the best Opti-girls in the world.
Full Results click here
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