Opti State champions crowned in Goolwa

Austin Higgins was the overall winner in the Open Fleet © Jet Mallinson

Following a successful SA Optimist Frostbite Regatta at the Goolwa Aquatic Club, state champions across the multiple fleets were crowned.

Austin Higgins from Brighton and Seacliff was the overall winner of the Open Fleet and through consistent sailing he was able to hold off some close competition in Tana Deyell from the Royal Brighton Yacht Club in Melbourne, who finished second, and Myles Wilson from Adelaide Sailing Club in third.

Izaak Hart of the Goolwa Aquatic Club finished fourth in the Frostbite Regatta, however won third place in the state championship as Tana was an interstate competitor.

In the intermediate fleet, which had the largest participation among all fleets with 23 boats, Fraser Baker of the Largs Bay Sailing Club took out the overall win ahead of club-mate Zane Chaplin in second and Goolwa Aquatic Club's Kelly Steele in third.

Evelyn Wilson from the Goolwa Aquatic Club was the overall winner of the Green Fleet, followed by Mitchell Young of Adelaide Sailing Club in second and Ila Chaplin from Largs Bay in third.

The 13-boat Orange Fleet was hotly contested, however Timothy Newman from Brighton and Seacliff came away with the win ahead of Vivienne Zufferey from Goolwa Aquatic Club in second and Samuel Quilliam, also from Goolwa, in third.

The Green Fleet adventure sail was a real hit with the younger sailors - photo © Jet Mallinson

The Sunday also saw the Green and Orange fleets split into groups and directed on a treasure hunt around the Goolwa region. As part of their adventure sail, these sailors dared to visit a pirate's lair, explored the Hindmarsh Marina and sailed around the Goolwa Channel.

While this was happening the Open and Intermediate fleets continued to show off some high quality racing with the wind picking up significantly into the afternoon from lunch time onwards.

While the wind was too much for some sailors in the afternoon session with some capsizing, a number of boats thrived in the conditions and it was a great way to cap off the regatta.

Full results

Additional award winners included:

First Under 10: Ava Wilson (Adelaide Sailing Club)
First Under 11: Austin Higgins (Brighton and Seacliff Yacht Club)
First Under 12: William Dallisson (Brighton and Seacliff Yacht Club)
Traveler Award: Tana Deyell (Royal Brighton Yacht Club, VIC)
First Female Green Fleet: Evelyn Wilson (Goolwa Aquatic Club)
First Female Intermediate Fleet: Kelly Steele (Goolwa Aquatic Club)
First Female Open Fleet: Ava Wilson (Adelaide Sailing Club)

Congratulations to all the winners and we look forward to seeing you back again next year.

Austin Higgins interview – Open Fleet winner

Green Fleet interviews – Sophie Ward and Tim Newman