Dutch Optimist Nationals

The Dutch National Championships were held in Workum, which is situated on the Northeast shore of the IJsselmere, between 24^th and 28^th May. The massive entry of 271 boats was made up of entries from 11 countries, including teams from Singapore, South Africa and Poland as well as nearer European neighbours. The British Teams for the Optimist World and European Championships decided to use the event as training, so all 13 of these Teams travelled to Holland, despite having to bunk off school as the European holidays are not yet harmonised with Britain. Because of this two of the British sailors only attended half of the regatta to minimise loss of school time. The Dutch Nationals is an open event and Claire Lasko and Patrick Metcalfe made the trip to gain big fleet experience. The British Team was completed by Brian Staite and Lewis Dann, each coaching from different RIBs, and David Gorrard, who will be the Worlds Team manager in China.

The sun shone brightly on the Ijsselmere, but temperatures were held down by a chill N/E force 3 breeze, as the highly competent race team swung into action for the first two races. The fleet was divided into six flights, and in the planned ten races each flight was to race against each of the other flights twice. The Race Officer made it clear that there would only be general recalls if absolutely necessary, and by setting good long lines and using various combinations of "I", "Z", and "black" flags was able to start the majority of races first time; Important in a weekend of thirty races!

The first races revealed the pattern of the event. The Ijsselmere is very large but is very shallow, with an average depth of 5 meters in the race area. This means that an awkward chop rapidly builds up, and the waves are disproportionately high and short for the wind strength. Sailing the Optimist efficiently through these waves was the clue to success, as well as reading the vagaries of the swinging wind with no clouds or landmarks in sight. The British sailors settled well into the unusual conditions and at the end of the second day David Evans had registered four wins out of five races, though the fifth result was a 34^th. When he got dumped by one of the biggest shifts of the event. Sailing consistently was Luke Patience with five results in the top five. Also scoring well were Steven Le Fevre and Steven Krol, from the home countries, whilst the Singapore Team, used to light conditions were complaining about having to sail in a hurricane! The British sailors showed well throughout, and were generally placed in the top ten in each flight, but in a fleet racing in three flights tenth equates to thirtieth! Most British sailors showed very good down wind speed, and gained many places on the long choppy runs. Ed Powys was probably the fastest downwind and frequently gained over fifteen places on the off-wind legs, and only once attracted a yellow flag from the on the water judges.

The third day gave easier conditions with the wind down to Force 1 to 2. This reduced the waves, and generally brought new sailors to the top of each race. In particular the lightweight Singapore sailors moved up as Chin Teo Wee won consecutive races, though Tom Smedley of Hayling Island showed that technique could overcome size as he won the last race of the day.

Into the last day with only two races there was everything to play for, as only one discard was to be allowed. Most of the top ten sailors were carrying a heavy discard as they sailed out to sail in an increased wind that was now south-easterly. The British sailors enjoyed the conditions and won five of the Six races sailed. Luke Patience pulled himself up the rankings with successive wins, and Philip White won a copybook last race, which he led from start to finish, by almost two minutes. When the points were added up Steven Le Fevre was champion, and he sailed in with a huge Dutch flag flying from his sprit which almost doubled his sail area! He won by being more consistent than the rest and discarded a 9^th. Luke Patience finished second, despite having won more races. Ten British sailors finishes in the top 31; An excellent result from a regatta that was intended as a shake down for the Teams; hopefully this momentum will be carried into the Major Championships in China and Gran Canaria.

Workum was a very nice venue for the event, especially as the sun shone continuously for the three of the four days. The regatta site is part of a large camping compound, and there was plenty of space for all activities, though patience was required when launching. The whole race team was very efficient, helpful and courteous, and I recommend the Dutch Championships to any Oppy sailor who is looking for intensive competition in a large fleet. The British sailors arrived home in time to start half term holidays!

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Last modified: May 12, 2002