Nieuwpoort Youth Regatta Week

A team of 21 British Optimists travelled over to Nieuwpoort Youth Regatta Week for the renamed Spa Youth Regatta held on July 3-7. A total of l03 Optimists from 12 countries took part, the largest number ever.

The Optimists were divided into four flights, with two flights racing together in each race. The event started on Saturday but due to the forecast of thunderstorms and Force 7-8 winds, racing was cancelled.

On Sunday the team left the beach and due to the lack of wind had to be towed to the race area. They drifted with the tide until the wind finally arrived in the afternoon, and one race was sailed. This was a good opening race for the British with Nick Thompson and Tim Boydell winning their flights. The light winds continued for the rest of the regatta, making sailing conditions difficult due to the strong tide.

The team continued to attain good results throughout the week with more firsts and top ten positions. Thompson won the event with three other Brits coming in the top ten.