International Optimist Australian and Open Championships - Day 7

by Sean Bly on 13 Jan 2014 On day 7 of the Hart Marine International Optimist Australian and Open Championships, with a steady southerly and promising forecast, race officials were keen to get as many races in as possible.

With racing moved forward an hour, moderate breezes ensured that racing got away on schedule, with Open fleet leaving the beach at 8am for a 9:00am start.

In the Open Fleet, Gold Fleet was able to get 5 races away to complete the 15 race series. With several general recalls and black flags, Silver and Bronze fleet were only able to get away 4 races, to complete 13 races for the series.

Showing maturity beyond his years, New South Wales’ Otto Henry(MHYC) finished off the series in fine form to win both the Open and Australian Championships, as well as taking out the 12 year old division as well.

New Zealand’s Lewis Anderson(KYC) finished the series in second, with fellow Kiwi Craig Keenan(KYC) in third. Scott McKenzie(KYC), who finished in fifth, was also third International.

Matt Meaney(B&SYC) from South Australia finished in fourth overall and second Australian, with West Australian Jayden Dalton(FSC) finishing in sixth overall and third Australian.

The Australian Optimist Sailing Team and Optimist Worlds Team were also selected from this event, with Hugo Hamilton(SBSC) from Tasmania and Rome Featherstone(FSC) from Western Australia selected with Henry, Meaney and Dalton to compete at the Optimist World Championships in Argentina.

Including these five, twenty other sailors were selected to the Australian Optimist Sailing Team. Victorians Nicholas Joel(SSCBC/SYC), Steven Case(SSCBC), Harrison Sly(MSC/SYC) and Lachlan Evenden(SSCBC) were all selected.