IOCA Optimist Southern Area Championships at Parkstone Yacht Club

Poole Harbour sparkled in bright sunshine as Parkstone Yacht Club welcomed 98 young sailors on Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 June for their annual Optimist open meeting, also incorporating the IOCA Southern Area Championships. After two weeks of unsettled weather the skies cleared, the sunshine broke through and the wind picked up to perfection, giving everyone an excellent weekend of sailing and socialising.

Three fleets took to the water, with the more capable sailors competing for the prestigious title of IOCA Southern Area Champion or looking to improve their standing in the IOCA Southern Traveller Series. Younger, less experienced sailors were aiming just to complete the course as they competed in their first ever event.

Main fleet set off on Saturday morning for the area of Poole Harbour called the top triangle, completing four races set by Andrew Hartley and his able race team mainly comprised of Parkstone Laser sailors. With the wind a pleasant south-easterly of 10-12 knots, 55 sailors battled it out in the sunshine with beautiful views over Brownsea Island and Arne nature reserve.

Having fun in the Coached Regatta fleet in the IOCA Southern Area Championships at Parkstone - photo © Rob McCormick

The 26 Regatta fleet sailors stayed closer to home, sailing near the club's racing platform. They completed five races on Saturday with a brief lunchbreak in the middle. For the second year a small Coached Regatta fleet raced close to the marina, with 17 sailors as young as six and seven making their way around a square course with coaching support and a few sweets to help them along the way. Some serious swimming and paddle boarding took place for these sailors back at the slipway after racing.

Sunday was overcast but warm, with similar windspeeds but a shift in direction towards the east, meaning fleets were able to fit in another full day of racing.

Winners, Freddie Evans, Dirk Rogers and Robert Mawdsley in the IOCA Southern Area Championships at Parkstone - photo © Rob McCormick

Robert Mawdsley from Hayling Island Sailing Club won Main Fleet with a net score of 25, becoming IOCA Southern Area Champion. Oscar Morgan-Harris from Royal Southern Yacht Club was second, and Rafa de Tomas from Royal Lymington Yacht Club was third. Parkstone's own Lila Edwards was first girl and seventh overall.

Dirk Rogers of Royal Lymington convincingly led Regatta Fleet over the two days, winning five of the ten races. Thomas Saunders from Warsash Sailing Club was second, pipping Parkstone's Will Hakes into third on countback. Nicola Richards from Castle Cove was first girl and fifth overall.

Coached Regatta was won by Parkstone sailor Freddie Evans, with Zac Brushett from Royal Southern Yacht Club second and Sam Armstrong-Rowland, also from Royal Southern, third. Parkstone sailor Zara Dorsett was first girl, placed fourth overall.

Coached Regatta fleet make their way to the start in the IOCA Southern Area Championships at Parkstone - photo © Rob McCormick

After sailors' tea, the prize giving took place in the club house with spectacular views around the harbour. Rear Commodore Gary Wakefield energised the crowd before awarding prizes sponsored by Quay West, Rooster, and Xtremity.

Following on from such a successful event, Parkstone's Optimist Fleet look forward to welcoming Oppie sailors and their families again next year. Save the date: 27-28 June 2020.

PRO Andrew Hartley and his race team in the IOCA Southern Area Championships at Parkstone - photo © James Hartley

Main Fleet Results:

Regatta Fleet Results:

Coached Regatta Fleet Results: