Midland Area Optimist Championships at South Staffs Sailing Club

Midland Area Optimist Championships © Deborah Smith

The third event of the Midlands Traveller Series for Optimists was held on Sat 18 September. The day started misty and windless but bacon baps and coffee were downed, and after a postponement racing got under way mid-morning.

Sailors were split into three fleets depending on experience level with the two most experienced fleets racing around a course covering most of the reservoir and an enthusiastic fun fleet tucked in close to the clubhouse excited to take part in their first race.

Midland Area Optimist Championships - photo © Andy Hateley

In the first race it was Theo Smith who picked his way through the patchy wind to take the win although Dilara Soyer made a great comeback from a premature start to claim second. With lunch already cooked, due to the postponement, the sailors headed ashore.

During lunch the wind picked up a little, although never consistent. The afternoon racing saw Tristan Shaw win his first race on the Midlands Traveller Series. The racing was incredibly tight; after three races the leaders were tied on points for overall winner of the championship, also tied on points for 1st junior, and only one point separated the leaders of the regatta fleet. The young sailors maintained their concentration brilliantly. Racing was still tight, with places changing frequently, in the last race of the day. It wasn't until the final beat to the finish that places were settled.

Midland Area Optimist Championships - photo © Andy Hateley

Overall winner of the Midland Area Championship was Dilara Soyer (Draycote SC), runner up was Theo Smith (South Staffs and Draycote SCs), first junior was Jack Hodgkins (South Staffs SC) and the Endeavour Trophy was awarded to Tristan Shaw (Banbury SC) for winning his first race in the travellers series. The regatta fleet was won by William Shaw with Oscar Smith he runner up. Several sailors received awards to recognise their values and behaviours, and George Senior won the mini race series of the fun fleet.

Overall Results:

Midland Area Optimist Championships - photo © Deborah Smith