Optimist North West Area Championship

We had a fantastic two days sailing in good winds for the Optimist sailors racing for the first time. The weekend began with camping on the Friday evening and bring your own BBQ. An early start on the Saturday with lots of excited optimist sailors as they received their briefing with the other fleets, asymmetric, handicap and lasers, not to mention the Miracle fleet ! Saturday was also the LLSC Optimist Open, which was won by Archie Leckie, being closely pushed by Drew Gibbons. Fortunes changed on the second day, with Drew completing the Sunday races with an excellent two firsts and a second to claim the inaugural NW Area Champs trophy. He also won the John Barnes trophy awarded by the club for the best score over all six races of the weekend with no discards. A close run race series between Harvey Leigh and Callum Davidson-Guild saw them finish third and fourth respectively.  First girl overall was Sian Talbot, with intermediate sailors Eloise Clapson-McBride, Claudia Brewster-Gallagher and Hannah McDonald all continuing to gain in confidence with their racing. Lewis Coop put in a consistent performance over the two day’s racing -his first full weekend competition, to win first boy in the regatta fleet, with Eloise taking the first regatta girl prize. Visitors from Welsh club Llyn Brenig helped to increase the competition and make for a dozen racers on the first day. A final, special mention to our only beginner brave enough to race both days, Stanley Jones. In his distinctive club Oppie and bright training sail he was determined to finish every race, even facing down the entire Miracle fleet in the middle of the start line! Wonderful weather, great racing, smiling faces and a fun filled Saturday evening of egg and spoon races, tug of war, a disco and as usual a great BBQ ! Roll on next year !

Results can be found here. Chris Leigh’s pics Gary Coops Pics