Brits on Tour at the Optimist Irish Nationals 24-27 August 00

With just a few days to recover after the Optimist Nationals in Plymouth, a team of nineteen British sailors crossed the Irish Sea to take part in the equivalent Irish event run this year by Howth YC in Dublin and supported by local sponsors. The sailors and parents received the usual warm welcome from the splendidly appointed host Club, bringing home a few ideas for future clubhouse refurbishment! On Wednesday evening and Thursday morning, measurement was quickly completed and the 108 sailors briefed for the four-day Senior Championship (Junior - Regatta fleet equivalent racing was scheduled for Sat/Sun only).

Winds were generally light, similar to Plymouth, with tide playing a vital role in race tactics. After the almost regulatory tow to the start line, about 2 miles offshore, which took nearly one hour, and a short wait for the wind to steady, racing got underway. Charlotte Dobson and Christina King started the regatta strongly, crossing the shortened finish line in 2nd and 4^th, only later to be declared OCS. At a subsequent redress hearing, Charlotte was eventually re-instated but Christina wasn't so fortunate. Tom Smedley took 4^th place, and Maria Stanley 8^th ahead of several other British sailors. Race 2 was held in similar light easterly conditions on Thursday p.m. with many competitors under-estimating the strong tide against them at the start. Charlotte lead at the windward mark, three places ahead of Alison Martin. The final beat became a frustrating struggle for the sailors as they tried valiantly to out-pace the tide. Over forty sailors were eventually timed out and recorded as DNF. Charlotte did well to finish second with Alison in 5^th. The PRO tried to run a third race but this did not impress the sailors after their testing afternoon and they retaliated with a bit of banter. They were sent home and reprimanded the next day for insolence! Every evening after sailing the competitors enjoyed supper together before the daily prize-giving, whilst giving parents the opportunity to sample the local brew and excellent food.

On Friday, similar conditions and wind direction greeted the sailors. After an unruly first start, the race officer was forced to bring out the black flag. Three British girls were deemed to be over in the list of seven and duly disqualified. These included Christina, Claire Lasko and Kelsey Suggitt who were forced to sit out and watch. Tide again had a strong influence rewarding those who had chosen the left side of the beat. With places changing during the race, Tom Smedley claimed victory ahead of Oliver Dix with Luke Patience 4^th, Philip Lasko 6^th,and James Murdock 8^th. Race 4 required the black flag again to control the fleet and the tidal effect was much reduced. Visibility became poor as the race progressed and with a huge windshift, the legs altered radically causing a few upsets with results. Luke, Oliver, and Christina all finished in the top ten. The breeze then settled and built a little to allow the PRO to run a third race. Race 5 resulted in another British winner with Luke taking the bullet from Oliver in 3^rd, Charlotte 5^th, Tom 8^th, and Ben Ainsworth 9^th.

By Saturday the sunshine had disappeared leaving grey, misty skies but with the usual F1/2 from the west. Race 6 started in a dying breeze with lots of tide against the beating boats. Middle to right seemed to pay to stem the tide upwind and then the tactic was to over-stand the weather mark. This race saw three Brits in the top ten - Tom finished 2^nd ahead of Luke with Ben Cripps in 8^th. Race 7 was held in similar winds and tide with most of the British sailors learning well from the previous race to earn themselves respectable results. With probably the most breeze of the championships so far - F2/3 there was an Irish race win for Lisa Tait with Oliver 4^th, Christina 5^th, Laurie Marsden 6^th. The final day's race, number 8 started in a F2 with sunshine now breaking through. With the breeze fluctuating, this was a good win for Luke with Tom 3^rd, Ben A 5^th, Christina 8^th, and Claire 10^th.

The final day's forecast gave breeze and rain. A westerly F2 was all that materialised but did it rain?!! Two of our team, Charlotte and Laurie learnt a tough lesson in that sailing split tacks upwind before the start is fine if there is sufficient time to sail back before the start gun. Unfortunately for the girls they were about one minute late and this was probably one of the few starts that didn't require a recall. Race 9 was held at high water so the tide was less of a factor for this one. Tom held on for a good win, with Luke and Christina tussling for second place with Luke gaining the finishing line advantage by a boat length. Oliver finished 5^th, Claire 7^th and Maria 9^th. The final race, number 10, started in light breeze with strong tide against the Optimists causing some to misjudge it badly and not cross the start line for over one minute after the gun. The leading boats were well up the beat when a big windshift came through forcing the PRO to abandon the race. Confusion was created as boats peeled away and then a sharp downpour quickly dampened the little wind that there had been. After a delay of about 1.5 hours, Race 10 was eventually re-started with the wind now steady from the SE with F1-3. The British, used to long days and by now very patient, showed excellent pace with Oliver taking a well deserved bullet. His tight covering of Christina allowed Luke to sneak past her just before the finish to give them 2^nd and 3^rd. Tom finished 4^th with Charlotte also in the top ten. This was a good day for the Brits with many of them consolidating positions as the second discard came in. Luke Patience took the Irish title with Tom Smedley runner-up. Lisa Tait was first Irish boat in third overall, ahead of Oliver Dix, 4^th.

Prize-giving was held between showers on the balcony of the HYC and the top British and Irish sailors were rewarded for their efforts. It was a great few days in Ireland with plenty for parents to do onshore. The Club provided complimentary coffee and cream scones each morning for the land lubbers whilst others watched the sailing from a support boat. A most sociable, enjoyable event for all!

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Last modified: May 12, 2002