O’Neill International Braasemermeer Optimist Easter Open

During the days preceding the event, coaching was organised by IOCA from grants made available by the RYA as part of its support of Youth sailing.

Saturday saw wet snow and hail. Racing was competitive in varying conditions. The morning started with sun and light winds from Southern directions. Afterwards it became cloudy and the first race started in wind force 2 -3. The British got off to a super start with Oliver Dix and Claire Lasko posting a first and second respectively in one flight, and Joshua Metcalfe winning his race.

During the second race the wind increased to SSW 4 bft and it started to rain a little. Temperatures were low so the sailors had to work hard to keep themselves warm. The British seemed to enjoy these conditions with Philip White coming first, Luke Patience 2^nd, David Evans 3^rd and Ed Powys picking up his second 4^th. Thomas Mallindine in his first competitive outing after having his cast removed for a broken arm coped will with the trying conditions and new sail to record a 6th.

The wind increased while the competitors were getting ready for their third race. This race proved to be a real test of character. Being on the water for 8 hours with only a short break, the young sailors were quite cold and exhausted but satisfied after coming ashore. Joshua Metcalfe claimed his second 1^st of the event with Thomas Mallindine 5^th and Luke Patience and James Royston both coming 8^th in their flights.

On Sunday, the first race gave nice conditions for the more experienced sailors. Winds WNW 4-5 with gusts made it hard work, but was not as cold as Saturday as there was no rain. The

race was over two laps and took about one hour and twenty minutes. Oliver Dix scored another 1^st in race 4 with Ben Cripps coming 2^nd.

The second race of the day (race 5) showed the same conditions but with more wind (21 knots with gusts up to 25 knots) from the North West. Again a two lap race was sailed which lasted an hour and a half. The day had taken its toll but David Evans still scored a 2^nd, James Royston a 4^th and a tired Mallindine a 7^th.

The fleets were split with 23 British in the Gold fleet. 16 others made the Silver Fleet.

Two races were sailed on Monday. The first in winds of NW 3-4 bft in sunny spells and occasional rain. In the Gold Fleet there were no top ten results. In the Silver Fleet, David de Boltz won his race, with Sam Maxfield 5th. In the Bronze fleet James Hopson won with Emily Wall 4^th..

The final race took place in a northerly force 4-5. In the Gold fleet David Evans finish 3^rd and 8^th overall with Corentin Demanet from Belgium 1^st, Erik Ohm from Sweden 2^nd and Stevel leFevre 3^rd.

In the Silver fleet Richard de Boltz finished 4^th to win overall with Jesper Nielsen from Denmark second and Sofia Brander from Sweden 3^rd.

Emily Wall posted another 4^th in the Bronze fleet to win overall with James Hopson 2^nd and Andeas Naess from Norway 3^rd.