Otters at the Optimist Nationals 8 Sep 2008
There was a record entry for the 2008 Optimist Nationals at Pwllheli in North Wales with 447 entrants coming from the UK, Ireland, Malta, USA and Dubai (to name a few). The weather was mixed to say the least with no racing on Saturday or Sunday due to strong winds and only one race sailed on Monday, the attached photo will explain why!
In the end the race series was completed with some long days albeit the wind was still stong on Tuesday and Wednesday. Just to add balance, the second picture shows the Regatta Fleet on their sail away on Thursday, evidence that Wales can be sunny and warm.
The sailors were split into three fleets and our sailors did very well.
The overall results were as follows:
Senior Fleet 150 entrants aged 13-15
Lucinda Goldklang 56, Fleur Page 62
Junior Fleet 160 entrants aged up to 12
James Hutton-Penman 37, Thomas Johnson 72
Regatta Fleet 140 entrants for the less experienced
Ella Waples 12, Isabella Minks 14, Kathryn Hutton-Penman 28th
Albert Waples 38, Louis Brand
Well done to all.
The conditions were very challenging and most of our sailors achieved a top half result in a class that is extremely competitive.
Remember Ben Ainslie was Optimist National Champion in 1992!