Toyota NZ Optimist Nationals at Queen Charlotte Yacht Club - Preview
by Christel Hopkins 31 Mar 2018 03:10 PDT
29 March - 3 April 2018
Burnsco National Optimist team racing before the Toyota NZ Optimist Nationals begins © QCYC
Opening ceremony
On Thursday night the 2018 Toyota Optimist Nationals was officially opened. The Open Fleet consists of about 140 sailors and there will be 50 Green and Rainbow fleet sailors. We have teams from Australia and Tahiti. It was a great turnout.
All clubs came along in great force and marched with a lot noise and gusto through the main street, encouraged by crowds along the streets. The prize for best performance in the Parade was Murray's Bay from Auckland. The looked good and could be heard from 3 streets away.
The parade took the crowds through the town centre and finished with a big welcome from officials, the college Kapa Haka group and Joe Sullivan at the Water's edge.
The ceremony was closed off with a big countdown and a bang from the club cannon.
Burnsco National Optimist team racing
The day might have started a bit cold and bleak but turned into a cracker of a day. The wind started to fill in around 11 am in Picton Harbour and D flag was raised.
Around a hundred Optimists divided into 24 teams hit the water to mill about until the course was set and races started. We had 22 teams from NZ and two from Australia. The level of the team was variable. From Wakatere team having all top 10 or less ranked sailors to teams with sailors ranked lower and no team sailing experience at all.
It great to see the teams improve over the day. Even the inexperienced local QCYC team did really well winning 3 out of 4 races. In the end Wakatere prevailed, the only team winning all their races. Then there was a tie between 7 teams winning 3 out of 4 races. Based on individual race scores Kohi came second and Charteris Bay third.
Throughout the day the shore was lined with people watching the racing. They were will looked after by the temporary QCYC beach side Café. A running commentary was also provided. One thing was certain, the sailors and viewers all had a fun time.
Tomorrow the serious sailing will start with the Open Optimist fleet heading to the race area in the outer Harbour, while the Green and Rainbow fleet will sail near the club.