New Zealand Team report from Final Day of Optimist Worlds

by Robert Burn on 8 Jan 2011 New Zealand Yachting Trust Optimist Team report form the Optimist World Championships being staged in Langkawi, Malaysia:

The 'Fat Lady' has sung!

Racing is over at the 2010 Optimist World Championships in Langkawi. Our sailors have given back their Charter boats, coaches handed over their coach boats and the pack up continues before the Closing Ceremony again under the big Eagle later tonight.
 
Again the weather forecast wasn't too accurate, lots of wind was predicted but Race 15, first start got under way in 7 - 9 knots and cloudy conditions  Gerald finally got his way, after APing the Start, to make the Start line square. The restart was on a Black Flag as all the following were, to ensure the sailors behaved and the races got underway quickly.
Taylor started as solo Kiwi and by the time the fleet reached the top mark the wind had increased, gusting to 15 knots at time. Taylor 12 at the Wing mark, finishing 10th and securing his spot as Top Kiwi. The judges whistle blew at the Wing mark and a Uruguay sailor had to retire, one of the front runners and he wasn't enjoying the 'beat of Shame' back to the ramp, others soon followed. Korea win.
 
Start two, Markus and William up, Markus got a great start, was 14th at the Wing and had an awesome finish at 5th. He has certainly saved his best to last and showed us what he is really capable of. William didn't fare so well with the shifts and was punished towards the back. He was in good company with last years Worlds winner finishing back further still, same with Ryan Lo, sitting in third place until then. Germany win.
 
Start three, Jayvee and Liv in the last start of the regatta. Both had good starts, Liv looking good until a big shift caught her out and couldn't get across to it. Jayvee was 43 at the Wing Mark but had a fabulous comeback to finish 13th, a real get out of jail card. Liv wasn't so fortunate, 48 at the Wing, clawing back 5 places to finish 43.
Noppokao Poonpat from Thailand was in this start and was out in front by nearly 200 metres when she crossed the Finish Line. The Thai Support boat erupted in cheers and screams, she had won the regatta and was the new World Champion, as well as World Team Sailing Champion. This is her 5th and last Optimist World Championship, last year she was 4th, experience certainly counts.
 
Our sailors are excited now, busy swapping their some of their Kiwi gear with their new friends. There will be time over the next few days to reflect on what might have been, and lessons learned for next time. One thing we did hear was that the sailor who came 180th last year at the Brazil Optimist Worlds, won the girls 420 Class World Champs yesterday in Argentina.... the experiences here will last a very long time and make great sailors from most. 
 
The Closing Ceremony will be a bit of Pomp and Ceremony, plenty of dignitaries speeches and some great food.....A great bottle of Marlborough Sav smuggled in to help our Kiwi digestion too. It will be a great moment to see the Malaysian Flag lowered and the New Zealand Flag raised to signal the countdown to the next Optimist World Championships in Napier, NZ, a year from now. The participants will get to see a great video clip of New Zealand life and scenery to compel them to come. 
 
The final results are Taylor Burn 28th, Liv Mackay 42nd, Jayvee Buchanan 47th, William Linkhorn 73rd and Markus Somerville 127th. They have done really well considering this regatta and venue is being talked about as one of the most challenging places to sail.
 
A huge thank you to the New Zealand Yachting Trust as our prime sponsor, Steve and Linda from NZSail.com, Slam, Quicksilver and to all the other supporters that have made this regatta possible for the New Zealand Team, our sailors really appreciate your support..
 
GO Karting tomorrow, Yay!
 
Happy sailing
Rob


Our Portuguese mate, Mario Sampaio, father of Santiago (POR 2365) is photographing the venue and races and has offered his pictures free of charge....all you need to do is go to the link below, and download what you like.


http://www.sailing.org.my/iodaworld2010/index.asp