Corinthian Otters Optimist Open Meeting 20 Jun 2015

Thirty Optimists came to Burnham on Crouch for the Corinthian Optimist Open Meeting over the weekend of 20/21 June 2015. With some of the competitors only able to sail on Saturday or Sunday owing to school and other commitments, RCYC offered prizes for each day as well as an overall result.

On Saturday lighter shifty winds prevailed and, as ever at Burnham, guile was needed to make the best of the tide and the wind.

Saturday’s winner was Florence Brellisford (Otters), followed by visitor Jonathan Bailey (Hunts SC) and Josh Means from Norfolk Broads YC (NBYC)

On Sunday morning, the breeze built substantially from the west – gusting up to 30 knots. With a flooding tide, this led to some huge waves in the racecourse area opposite the Yacht Harbour and some blustery, difficult conditions.

William Pank (Sunday only) also of NBYC was fast straight out of the blocks and was a convincing winner of the day’s racing. Second was Ben Hutton Penman (Otters), followed by Jonathan Bailey (NBYC).

Overall, the winner was Ben Hutton Penman who showed good skills and great boat speed in the contrasting conditions over the weekend. Second was Florence Brellisford, followed by Jonathan Bailey in third.

The weekend was also noticeable for some stand out effort by some of the younger and less experienced sailors. Particularly good performances came from Jessica Taylor (Blackwater SC), Imogen Palmer (Otters), Charlie Corbett (Otters), Lloyd Taylor (Blackwater SC) and Jemima Cook (Otters).

Thanks particularly to all our visitors, many of whom travelled long distances to join in the racing.

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