2019 Interislander Optimist Championship and Port Marlborough Starling Champs – Day 1
by Christel Hopkins 22 Feb 2019 01:35 PST
22 February 2019
Interislander Champs - Day 1, Queen Charlotte YC - February 22, 2019 © Christel Hopkins
90 Open fleet Optimist sailors and 25 Starlings headed out to the racing area in the outer Picton harbour. After the usual speeches and briefing the old club cannon was fired and D flag raised.
The fleets took to the water at 10 am accompanied by a light breeze. Sailing instructions changed to option for 4 races on Day 1 and 2 as heavy Southerlies expected on Sunday 24th February, the last day of the regatta. The race committee and support crew soon laid the course and the regatta was underway.
It all went smooth and the four races were completed with ample time to return to shore and enjoy the “Taste od Marlborough” event cooked up by the Queen Charlotte Yacht Club shore crew. Tasting local wines and wild meats and Marlborough seafood enjoyed on and around the floor of the club to be. A great end to a great day.
Results of the preliminaries: Harrison Loretz of Wakatere in first place, closely followed by Naiomi Ferrissey of Murrays Bay Sailing Club. Gearge Lee Rush also of Wakatere finished in third and Amelia Angus fourth, Noah Shirley Fifth both from Kohimarama Yacht club.
Great to see some girl power in the top 5. Highest Queen Charlotte Club sailor was Louie Poletti, finishing 14th – black flags do hurt.
In the Starling fleet it is a very close contest between 4 sailors. Currently placed first: Jack Manning for Glendowie, 2nd Tim Howse from Kohi, followed by Emily Overend and Harry Edwards – both from Queen Charlotte. It seems 3 of these four sailors will end up on the podium.
Tomorrow is another day. Opti Fleets are rearranged into Gold and Silver. Besides Open Opti and Starling. The Green and Rainbow Optimist Fleet will race in front of the new club floor now doubling as the best ever viewing platform.