New Zealand Team report from start of Optimist Worlds in Malaysia

by Robert Burn on 31 Dec 2010
New Zealand Yachting Trust Optimist Team report form the Optimist World Championships being staged in Langkawi, Malaysia:

Merry Christmas and happy New Year from Langkawi

The New Zealand Yachting Trust Optimist Team of Jayvee Buchanan, Liv Mackay, Taylor Burn, Markus Somerville and William Linkhorn are going into action today for the first day of Racing in the Optimist World Champs. They are looking pretty sharp in their Slam, Quicksilver and Roxy gear.

The Team have been working hard under Coach Andrew Wills to get themselves prepared on and off the water to sail hard and fast. Almost all have had some sickness and Taylor is still suffering from a re-occurring ear infection, hopefully it won't worry him too much when he gets going.

They are all acclimatised now, Taylor has been here the longest but are all used to the sticky heat and are drinking continually. They have had the Practice Race, as always a shambles and guaranteed to drive a Race Officer mad, the sailors had fun for an hour or so. They are all happy to see their boat speed was on par with other top Teams.

Langkawi is a nice place for the event....as long as we get some good winds. The people are friendly, it appears very safe and the food is great, as long as you eat local. The 'Western' style food isn't that wonderful.
We are at the top of Malaysia, on a 99 Island group that is one of the main tourist areas. It is very near the Thailand border. It is also duty free so lots of people come here to buy allsorts, clothes, chocolate and alcohol. There are very few bars here, you can buy a good Marlborough Savvie at the duty free but can't get a glass around the pool at the hotel ...or Sailing Centre....pretty hard on us thirsty parents and supporters.

The Malaysians are very proud of the Sailing Centre, they have done a great job with it but everything happens at the last minute. The last of the coach boats only had their motors installed overnight yesterday. The IODA organisation seems good, it will be a great championship

Our sailors have found some cultural differences, prayer rooms in the sailing centre and no toilet paper ...but a handy hose. No Bar either, or any dogs. Prayer time does impact on things too....life goes on around those times even the Opening Ceremony of the IODA World Champs.

The Opening Ceremony last night was a late but lavish affair. The setting was a beautiful plaza underneath a gigantic carved Eagle, the symbol of Langkawi. Lovely food food, lots of speeches and a March in by all the Teams onto the decorated stage. Most of the Teams left after the main speeches and missed the Cultural dancers and two lots of fireworks. Some of us stayed to the end and enjoyed all the hospitality and met all the Optimist officials from around the world. We are working hard to get as many people as possible to come to New Zealand next year for the Napier Worlds. Lots of people are interested in hearing of our conditions and what to expect.
The NZ sailors were keen to be in bed to be ready for the first days Racing.

A huge thank you to all our Team's sponsors and supporters, our sailors will be keen to make everyone proud.

http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/group.php?gid=137563902932723 is the Facebook link to see photos and stories from everyone. The reports are a little behind due to technical issues.

Happy sailing
Rob