Optimist Open at Chichester Yacht Club - 15 September 2008
Thirty-five Optimists gathered at Chichester Yacht Club for their Open Meeting on Sunday, September 14th. Nineteen of them raced in the Regatta Fleet, and sixteen in the Race Fleet. In both fleets the racing was close and keen, with a good many hails of “Protest” followed by smartly executed turns, and in fact only three incidents went to arbitration.
The wind was light and variable, though predominantly easterly, and the weather was fine and sunny – for a change!
In the Race Fleet Ben Batten from Royal Lymington secured the challenge trophy with two wins, followed be Jemima Lawson from Emsworth with a second and a first. Behind them came Lauren Miles from Emsworth, and James Farr from the home club. (more ...) (full story) |
Random Pairs - 13 September 2008
So the gang's all here,
boats rigged,
umpires primed,
race team ready...
... but no wind!
So what did the sailors do? (full story) |
Optimist National Junior and Intermediate Squads – on-line application - 10 September 2008
By means of clarification for sailors (and parents of sailors) aspiring to be selected for the IOCA(UK) National and Intermediate squads we would like to clarify the situation regarding on-line application. On-line application via the RYA site is not a mandatory part of the selection process, sailors will be considered on the basis of the results from the IOCA(UK) major events as is the norm. However, aspirants are encouraged to complete the on-line application process to provide the RYA and IOCA(UK) with accurate up to date contact details in order for us to swiftly notify you of selection decisions. Additionally, the information provided will be used by the RYA to advise and nurture sailors during their progression through the Junior programme, hence the more background you provide as part of the application process the better the advice you receive will be. (full story) |
Bosham Open - STOP PRESS - 08 September 2008
GOOD NEWS - The Bosham Optimist Open on the 13th September is now definitively on, after earlier messages specifying that the event was cancelled.
The club is looking forward to welcoming you on Saturday. (full story) |
IOCA Random Pairs Team Racing - 07 September 2008
This IOCA team selection event is being run at Spinnaker sailing club next weekend. It is a 2 day event and the top 5 sailors will be invited to the Berlin Opti Cup team racing event in October ( see event Web site for information). Previous team racing experience is not necessary, online entry is open until the 11/09/08 (full story) |
David Grant wins 2008 Laser 4.7 Under 15 World Championships - 30 August 2008
David Grant, a recent member of the UK Optimist Team at the 2008 World Championships has now won the under 15 category at the Laser 4.7 World Championships which concluded yesterday in Trogir, Croatia.
In a fleet of 270 boys aged under 18, David qualified for the Gold fleet after the initial 8 race qualifier series, and then went on to hold off a strong challenge in the last four races from a Hungarian and an Italian, clinching the title in the last race by half a boat length, and finishing 50th overall in the fleet.
Top British sailor was another ex-Optimist sailor, and double GBR Optimist World Championships Team member, Aaron Smith.
Congratulations to David as the 2008 Laser 4.7 Under 15 World Champion.
The full results can be found here: www.jktrogir.hr/laser/results.htm
(full story) |
European Optimist Team Racing Championships - 30 August 2008
Following their success at the European Championships in Garda last month the GBR team qualified for the European Team Racing Championships in Ledro, Italy and have been racing there since Tuesday.
The team consists of Annabel Vose, Jess Lavery, Nia Jones, Tim Gratton and Scott Wallis. On Thursday they got through to the Gold fleet and Friday made the semi finals against Italy and Poland.
The event organisers have provided all the accommodation, boats and equipment and sailing is in typical warm sunny conditions. The sailors have all been given scooters !
Congratulations to the team who as of Saturday morning are currently lying in 3rd place behind Italy and Poland.
For full details click here
STOP PRESS
Having made it to the semi-finals, the team were beaten by Norway, to end up 4th in the competition. The team have sailed their best and are recovering by swimming in the lake. Congratulations on a great peformance. (full story) |
IOCA Random Pairs Team Racing - 19 August 2008
The National Team Racing Championships will be a two-day event sailed in round robins and the intention (dependent on weather etc) is to keep all helms racing until Sunday afternoon.
The winners of the competition – the first five – will be invited to join the IOCA UK team that will compete at the Berlin Opti Cup in October 2008. Dates to be notified. In the event of a competitor declining a place then that place will be offered to the next finisher. The final team will be announced on the afternoon of 14th September.
See Calendar for further details. (full story) |
World Championships - Congratulations - 26 July 2008
Well done to the whole of the GBR Team at the World Championships in Turkey from the IOCA Committee and Membership. In what has been a very tough event with unpredictable and shifty winds, the team have been focused and have worked hard throughout the event with great results coming towards the back end of the week - especially Tom Britz's first place in the last race of the event.
We are sure it has been a fantastic experience, and we look forward to seeing some of you in Pwllheli in August. (full story) |
Brits finish 5th in Europe - 21 July 2008
The British Optimist Team has just returned from the recent 2008 Optimist European Sailing Championships held at Lake Garda, Italy having secured a place at the 2008 Inaugural European Team racing event to be held at Ledro in late August.
The British Team was made up of seven sailors, Annabel Vose (14) Royal Southern YC, Jess Lavery (14) Emsworth SC. Nia Jones (15) Cardiff Bay YC, Scott Wallis (12) Spinnaker SC, Tim Gratton (14) Hayling Island SC, Ed Riley (14) Warsash SC, and Tomas Pain (15) Cardiff Bay SC. (full story) |
Optimist Worlds Turkey - Day One to Three - 21 July 2008
The team arrived at the immense Altin Yunis hotel complex, 1000 beds Buckingham Palace sized dining room and epic waterfront. The Team measured on arrival day but had fun and games with David’s sail because he was using Christians other sail. Why well that’s another very long story involving a sail tube sails and a saw for cutting down the sail tube!
(full story) |
EX GBR Optimist Sailors take 2008 ISAF Youth Worlds by Storm - 18 July 2008
Congratulations from IOCA(UK) to the Great Britain Team at the ISAF Youth World Championships where the team has won two Gold Medals and the prestigious Volvo Team Trophy for only the third time … with a day to spare.
Great Britain last won the Volvo Trophy in 1995 and 1996, with many of the sailors in those teams now representing Great Britain at Olympic level. The ISAF Youth World Championships, taking place in Aarhus, Denmark, is the Olympics of Youth Sailing with the Great Britain team being selected from the RYA Youth Championships held in the Easter holidays. From this years GBR team of 10 sailors, 6 are ex Optimist sailors and they have done the Optimist class proud.
(full story) |
2008 Optimist World Championships - 14 July 2008
The British Team have arrived safely in Cezme, Turkey for the 2008 Optimist World Championships, having flown out from the UK on Sunday with Team Mum, Jennifer Williams, and Duncan Truswell from the RYA.
Team Coach, Alan Willams, joins the party on Tuesday, to take over from Duncan as the team prepare for the event, with the first races scheduled for Thursday 17th July.
Good luck to the team of Tom Britz, Jamie Diamond, David Grant, Christian Townrow and Matthew Wallis.
More news will be posted as it comes through, and for reference the event website can be found here - www.optiworld2008.com
(full story) |
Optimist Europeans at Lake Garda - 04 July 2008
The GBR Optimist team have been in Riva Lake Garda for several days now competing in the European Championships against sailors from 38 other countries.
The typical Ora thermal wind Garda is renowned for has failed to materialise and instead a variety of shifty lightish breezes has dominated up to now!
After nine races in the 140 strong boys fleet, Tim Gratton is lying 20th and Scott Wallis 32nd. Tom Pain and Ed Riley are finding the conditions tougher, but had better races today.
In the girls fleet of just under 100 boats, Jess Lavery and Annabel Vose have been posting a great set of results, Jess lying 14th and Annabel 15th, meanwhile Nia Jones has found the conditions a bit more difficult in the middle of the fleet.
Kirsty Bonar the GBR coach said that with two more days racing scheduled the sailors are hoping for at least one day of the famous Ora wind before the end of the championship! And Carla Stanley the Team Manager is doing a great job looking after the team and celebrated her birthday on Monday. (full story) |
IODA European Championships - Thursday 3rd July - 03 July 2008
The latest news from Lake Garda on Thursday morning is that the team are all fighting hard against un-typical Lake Garda conditions, with the Ora wind not behaving as expected for this time of year. Kirsty Bonar, the Team Coach, is working hard with all the team to keep them positive and focused, whilst Carla Stanley, Team Manager is ensuring that they are relaxed, appropriately fed and ready for each days racing.
Finding internet access however is proving hard, and this update comes courtesy of a text from Carla this morning!
Full results are available here: http://ioda.fragliavelariva.it/
(full story) |
British Optimist team set off to Lake Garda for Europeans - 26 June 2008
Following a really tough team selection series in April and May where the top 80 British Optimist sailors battled in out for places in the Worlds, Europeans and Swiss nationals teams, the GBR Optimist Europeans Team which includes 4 boys and 3 girls are going to Lake Garda to compete in the Optimist Europeans 28th June to 5th July.
The team which includes Ed Riley, Tim Gratton, Thomas Pain, Scott Wallis, Annabel Vose, Jess Lavery and Nia Jones are all looking forward to competing against sailors from 38 other countries. Annabel Vose has recent experience of Lake Garda finishing 5th girl in this years Easter Regatta and in the early 40’s overall out of 999 Optimist sailors.
Kirsty Bonar is the team coach supported by Carla Stanley the team leader. In the build up to the Europeans Kirsty has worked intensively with the team and she is hoping for classic Garda conditions with the Ora wind kicking in each day to bring out the best in the team - more reports to follow. (full story) |
IOCA National, Intermediate and Development Squads - 23 June 2008
Just a reminder that you do not have to apply for a place in the IOCA squads listed above. You will however need to have competed at the following IOCA major events:
- Volvo Musto Optimist Inlands (Main Fleet)
- Volvo Musto Optimist Nationals (Senior or Junior Fleet))
- Volvo Musto Optimist End of Seasons (Main Fleet)
The sailors are then invited by IOCA(UK) based on their overall ranking. (See IOCA Squad Selection policies under PUBLICATIONS/DOWNLOADS) (full story) |
Over 200 competitors at Royal Lymington over three weekends in early June - 20 June 2008
The Western Solent, close to the mouth of Lymington River, has been the venue for national Optimist racing events hosted by the Royal Lymington Yacht Club, on three consecutive weekends in early June.
These included the first ever Lymington "PolyOppy" Open on 1st June, followed by the Harken Royal Lymington YC Optimist Regatta on 7th June, and finally the main Harken Royal Lymington YC Optimist Open on the 14th and 15th June. Three fantasitc events with over 200 competitors in total enjoying racing close racing. (full story) |
2008 RYA Eric Twiname Championships - 18 May 2008
The weekend of 10th & 11th May saw the six Zone and three Home Country teams competing in the 22nd RYA Eric Twiname Championships held at Rutland Water. The competitors, including the 60 strong Optimist Class, are all selected from the winter training RYA Zone & Home Country Squads. (full story) |
2008 Team Selection Trials - Weekend 2 - Weymouth - 12 May 2008
The top sailors in the Optimist Class in the UK reconvened in Weymouth for the second weekend of their 2008 Team Selection Trials over the weekend of the May Day Bank holiday ready to conclude the competition for places in the IODA World Championship Team, the IODA European Championship Team and a team to attend the Swiss National Championships. With only 5 races completed in Pwllheli two weeks earlier (due to high winds) all eyes were on the weather, with the potential being for a complete contrast, as the forecast looked worryingly light. (full story) |
Guernsey Open Cancelled - 27 April 2008
We have decided today to cancel the Guernsey Open on 24/25 May.
This is with much regret but with a month to go and only 2 entrants (both not fully confirmed) from other clubs and sponsorship moneys to consider we have deceided that the event can not take place this year.
(full story) |
2008 Selection Trials - Weekend 1 - 24 April 2008
The top 85 sailors in the Optimist Class congregated at Pwllheli for the first weekend of their 2008 Team Selection Trials on the evening of Thursday 17th April, with competition at stake for places in the IODA World Championship Team, the IODA European Championship Team and a team to attend the Swiss National Championships. (full story) |
Joint Zone Squad Weekend at Rutland - 12th/13th April - 16 April 2008
More than 100 Optimist sailors, their parents, and about 20 coaches converged on Rutland over the weekend of 12-13 April for their final training weekend of the year.
The zones included South, South West, East, South East, West, North, plus the Scottish and Welsh regional squads.
Each morning there was an hour in squad groups, followed by starting practices in groups of about 50 boats, which included lane holding, and short races around a windward leeward with a leeward gate.
(full story) |
Your Committee needs you - NOW - 13 April 2008
The Optimist Class is now urgently looking for new volunteers to step forward and pick up the reigns of running this fantastic class; I personally will be very sad if my last three years of effort, and those of my fellow committee members are not taken forward for the benefit of the next batch of Optimist Sailors.
No volunteers and the class will fall apart … its as simple as that, because many of the current parents involved on the current committee are moving on this summer, and those remaining simply cannot carry the class on their own. Events will not get organised, teams will not be selected, and fundamentally the finances will not be managed.
(full story) |
Chilly Joint Squads Weekend at Weymouth - 07 April 2008
57 members of the National Optimist Squads converged on Weymouth for the last Winter squad training weekend over 5-6 April.
The weekend included training in small groups each morning followed by starting practice, then after a quick lunch it was out onto chilly waters of Portland Harbour to race for the prestigious National and Intermediate squad cups.
(full story) |
Lake Garda - 26th Easter Regatta - 27 March 2008
A world record entry for a single class, 998 Optimists from about 31 countries descended on Riva for the Easter meeting. The GBR team included 12 members of the National Optimist Squad and a small number of other GBR entries.
The dramatic and inspiring scenery made an impressive back drop for the event and even through it was early in the year the famous southerly ‘Ora’ breeze made an appearance on 3 days, and the northerly ‘Peeler’ dominated for the final day.
(full story) |
Garda Easter Meeting - 22 March 2008
999 sailors: the biggest world's biggest single-Class event just got bigger.
The Garda Easter Meeting, already in the record books as the biggest single-Class event in the world, has this year moved up several gears to record an entry of 999 Optimists from 29 countries.
The reason may be partly that these waters will host this year's IODA European Championship but the increase in popularity also reflects the general growth of Optimist sailing in Europe. Reports of previous years that Lake Garda provides brilliant sailing combined with excellent value in accommodation and meals have obviously spread to the new sailors and their families. Riva itself and neighbouring clubs have been hosting a multitude of training courses for up to ten days prior to the regatta, and if anywhere in Italy could run out of pizza the region would have. (full story) |
Lymington Easter Regatta - 22 March 2008
The Lymington Easter Regatta on Friday and Saturday has been re-scheduled and a one-day event is planned on Easter Monday.
You should have received an email outlining the options. Please email sailing.events@kbsuk.com to let us know if you are planning to attend on Monday or are unable to attend. (full story) |
Top British Sailors competing abroad in Italy and the Netherlands this Easter - 20 March 2008
Great Britain’s top Optimist Sailors are travelling abroad this Easter in search of top competition, prior to our own UK Team Selection Trials in a few weeks time.
Twelve of the top sailors selected from the UK rankings are in Italy for the Lake Garda Easter Regatta, where racing starts on Thursday 20th March, with the event continuing to Easter Sunday, with a further forty sailors in the Netherlands, for the Braasemermeer Easter Regatta where racing takes place from 21st to 24th March. (full story) |
IMPORTANT: MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS and EVENT ENTRIES - 10 March 2008
Families should take note that if you have not fully renewed you membership, or indeed joined IOCA as a new member in 2008, then you will not be able to enter the Inland Championships in May.
Membership Renewal is done on line, but you must still (for this year) send a cheque for the fees. To join or renew you must follow the steps as outlined on the Membership 2008 section of the website, and you MUST send in your membership fee to the Class Coordinator.
You can now check 2008 Membership Status via a link from the Members Forums (select "Optimist Family" section) and follow the instructions. If this tells you that your membership is not renewed, then please follow the renewal/joining instructions fully BEFORE querying with the Class Coordinator.
Note for renewing members that if you provided date of birth information that doesn't match with that already held then the membership renewal may also fail. (full story) |
DINGHY SHOW UPDATE - THANK YOU TO ALL THE HELPERS and VISITORS - 03 March 2008
The dinghy show held at Alexandra Palace was declared a success by all those attending.
Big thank you to the volunteers:
- thank you to all of you (sailors and parents) that manned the stand over the WE, and cheerfully greeted visitors, information seeker and prize hunters alike
- thank you to Steve Witty, who provided a shiny new Optimist to give the stand high visibility
- thank you to the sailors who each spent 2 hours each enthusing children about their sailing fun, and distributing Optimist Class leaflets
A vote of confidence from Olympic Sailors:
- thank you to Paul Goodison for coming to the stand and taking time off his Olympic duties to energise our sailors
- thank you to Ben Ainslie for choosing the Optimist to start coaching his nephew (son of ISAF new supremo and also ex-optimist sailor: Jerome Pels)
See you all next year at Olympia
Alain
(full story) |
Swiss Open Nationals 2008 - 23 February 2008
Normally a team of British Optimist sailors would attend the French Nationals each year. Unfortunately in 2008, the British Nationals at Pwllheli will finish too close to the start of the French Nationals for the team to get there in time.
The IOCA committee has decided that in 2008, the team will go to the Swiss Nationals in Geneva instead. This regatta starts slightly later in August, which will allow the team to get there more easily. It will be hosted by the Société Nautique de Genève, home of the Americas Cup. The Swiss Nationals usually attracts sailors from many countries and will be a good experience for our sailors.
(full story) |
Upcoming events and IOCA membership - 20 February 2008
Spring is in the air - flowers are starting to bloom - and soon you will be able to sign up for the Selections, Inlands etc. As in past years, EventAssistant will check your membership status when you register. If you have not already registerd for 2008 then now is the time to do so. (This year you will be able to pay by cheque or credit card).
In the next few days the Notice of Race will be available for the Selections, Inlands and End of Seasons.
For those of you who have not thought about accommodation, this is rapidly being booked up. See the message from Grafham about the Inlands. (Links are on the left). (full story) |
Garda and Irish Nationals - Team Announcements - 11 February 2008
IOCA are pleased to announce a representative team that will compete at the Lake Garda Easter Regatta, venue for this years IODA European Championships at the end of June. We are also pleased to announce that invitations have gone out to sailors selected for the Junior Team that will represent Great Britain at the Irish National Championships in Tralee Bay in August.
Follow the link for the full details: (full story) |
Membership 2008 - 23 January 2008
Become a member - Renew you membership for 2008 through our simple online system.
We invite new members to join IOCA and enjoy a year of sailing, training and racing, wherever you are in the UK, in the most popular children class.
Existing members should renew to continue receiving OPNews, participating in IOCA training, and entering racing events.
(full story) |
Nationals 2008 - 17 January 2008
Hello,
I have received many enquiries about entering the 2008 Nationals, and I can tell you that we hope to have the on line entry and volunteering system open by May 2008.
But before we can accept all the entries I need some volunteers to come forward to help with the planning of the event in general, and more specificaly with the social side of the nationals.
Nothing will be too onerous and the more assistance I get the easier it will be for everybody.
So please drop me a line at diggerharden@supanet.com and give a few hours to support our children
Also this will be my last year as Sailing secretary as the children continue to grow despite trying not to feed them too much.
So we will need a volunteer to take over from me as Sailing Secretary come the Nationals, most of the forward planning for several years ahead has already been done, and the great support from all the other committee members and parents in general make the position both enjoyable and rewarding.
If you think you can make the commitment please contact me either by e mail or call07736478257 to discuss the role further.
Happy sailing
Digger
(full story) |
Papercourt Winter Open - 11 January 2008
Over 100 sailors turned up for the first Optimist Open of the year at Papercourt Sailing Club in Surrey, making it a record for this annual event. On a bright sunny day with medium winds, the first meeting of the new calendar attracted a strong fleet. The high calibre of the young sailors registered demanded a split into gold and silver fleets with three races held for each. (full story) |
Naples - Final Day - 07 January 2008
Another different wind, both in strength and direction greeted the sailors for the last day in Naples – this time it was blowing from the West of Sicily( not that you could see it in the driving rain and poor visibility), around 250degrees and 20 knots, with building seas, around 2metres of swell.
The first flight got off in what looked to be a very generous gesture from the Race officer who signalled a clear start, but the 2nd flight clearly overstepped the mark and had the first general recall of the event.
(full story) |
Naples - Day 2 - 06 January 2008
Day 2 say the overnight results posted, with GBR interests as follows:
Harry Derbyshire 58
James Parker-Mowbray 69
David Pain 79
Annabel Vose 104
Jess Lavery 131
But Day 2 also brought the Sirocco wind from the left of Sicily- only a light one at about 12-14 knots but huge waves with a serious cross chop.
The goal for the day was to get off the line with speed- sounded easy in the evening debrief!!
(full story) |
Naples Open - 06 January 2008
4 of the team (Jess Lavery, David Pain, Harry Derbyshire and James Parker-Mowbray) flew out from Stansted on Jan 2nd, full of Xmas cheer and mince pies and loaded up with spars and sails as well as loads of filler, sandpaper, spare centreboard stops, and most of the internals off own boats but still within the Easyjet limits (some more easily than others!!)
Arriving at Naples Airport, we were informed that the mast would pop out of the normal carousel which had several tight bends in it, so with Jess directing the ground crew via the access hole, the rest of the Team grabbed all the gear as it started rolling.
After a quick barter session in the arrivals hall with a minibus driver, we set off to the B & B, arranged by our hosts, the RCCYC in Naples and it all worked fine! We were about 200m from the club and set out for the first of several piazzas and an excited group went off to sleep.
After a leisurely start (09.30 at the club)- a full days work on the boats all old club owned boats and not been lavished with too much TLC in recent years... but everyone set too and did a fantastic job, cleaning , filling, sanding swopping and by 5.00pm, they were looking pretty nifty...
(full story) |
Yachts and Yachting 2008 London Boat Show Pursuit Race - 13 December 2007
The Class Association have been approached by Yachts and Yachting to ask whether we would like to participate with two Optimists at their 2008 London Boat Show Pursuit Race.
This takes place on the last Sunday (20th Jan) of the London Boat Show at Excel in East London.
The eagle eyed amongst you will realise that this clashes with the January Optimist Squad Weekend and RYA Zone Squad Weekend. IOCA consequently would expect all members of these squads to attend their squad training in accordance with their squad contract / committment.
However, we recognise that there are other sailors who may wish to participate who are not in any of the squads. IOCA are therefore now inviting any sailor not in a squad, and who is ranked 150th or less, who is interested in participating in this event to contact our Class Coordinator on iocauk@btinternet.com. If there are several interested parties the two sailors will be selected according to ranking.
IOCA would like to point out that the event has limited safety cover, and no organised changing facilities. The event too is sailed in the docks next door to Excel and conditions can be challenging if it is windy.
Interested sailors must indicate their interest as requested before 20th December 2007.
(full story) |
IOCA Support for Overseas events - 23 November 2007
This is just a short note to remind parents, and probably let some of you newer parents know for the first time, that IOCA have a policy to encourage and support groups of UK sailors travelling abroad.
When 8 or more Optimist sailors attend an overseas event IOCA intend to contribute towards the cost of a coach and a rib for the event.
If you are intending to visit events such as Euro Med in Malta, Garda, The Belgium Nationals, Carantec, or any of the numerous events that are open to sailors of all abilities with a group of Optimist sailors, you MAY be eligible for a generous contribution from IOCA
However, I must emphasise that you MUST apply to Jackie Taylor(treasurer) and Graham Dibb (training Officer) for approval before committing yourself to any expense.
(full story) |
2008 Calendar - Closing Date for posting of Events - 22 November 2007
IOCA (UK) would like to progress production of the 2008 Event Calendar as early as possible in January for early despatch to renewing members.
If flotilla's want their events (Open Meetings and Open Winter Training) included on the Calendar please can they ensure that all dates and details are added to the Website Calendar by Sunday 16th December at the latest. Events posted after that date cannot be guaranteed to make it onto the calendar.
New events can be posted to the calendar very easily using the "Add Event" button at the top of the calendar.
(full story) |
Vigo "Semana del Altantico" Regatta - Spain - 08 November 2007
Last week a team of six GBR sailors represented IOCA (UK) at the Vigo “Semana del Altantico” Regatta in north western Spain. The team, selected as the top sailors on the Provisional Ranking List before the End of Seasons (selected in this way to meet the entry date and sort our logistics), comprised David Grant, Christian Townrow, Ben Robinson, Tom Britz, Callum Ellis and Ben Harden. (full story) |
IOCA (UK) New RIB Expenses Policy - 08 November 2007
IOCA(UK) would like to draw attention to all RIB owners who provide RIB’s for both Squad Training and as part of our Major Event Official Safety Fleet that a new Expenses Policy (2007-08) has now been published. (full story) |
20th European Opti Team Cup - 01 November 2007
Our Team of 5 finished a creditable 12th overall at the Opti Team Cup in Berlin last weekend. The event is one of the toughest team racing events in the optimist calendar, with teams from 16 countries, mostly comprised of Worlds and European team members, competing for the title of European Champions. Our team was the youngest, and most inexperienced, but they still manged to beat the Ukranians, Slovakians, Czechs and Belgians. The weather was light, making the End of Seasons seem positively breezy! However, the boys worked hard to cope with the tricky conditions and the complexities of 4 boat team racing. The eventual winners were Poland, with USA 2nd and Singapore 3rd. Thanks to Nick Cherry for support both on and off the water.
(full story) |
Volvo Musto Optimist End of Seasons - 25 October 2007
Video podcast now available.
Present and 'future Olympians' at the Volvo Musto Optimist End of Season Championships
The 300 young Optimist sailors at the Volvo Musto Optimist End of Season Championships had a tricky two days on the water. This Championship is the last selection event of the year for the sailors, so it’s the final opportunity for them to shine.
The Volvo Musto Inland, National and End of Seasons Championships are all ranking events used to help in the selection of the top Optimist sailors, who form the National Squad for Great Britain. These sailors represent the UK at International events such as the Optimist Worlds, the Europeans Championships and the French Nationals.
The End of Season Championships also counts in the selection process for the Intermediate, Development and Zone Optimist squads. These squads, supported by the RYA, provide the sailors with expert training during the winter months.
Over the two day event held at Weymouth & Portland National Sailing Academy, the Main fleet of 243 sailors had five, two flight races in the light and shifty conditions experienced inside Portland Harbour. Dutch Optimist sailor Jolbert Van Dijk won the event with four first places in his flights and dropped his only bad result of a 27th place. The 14 year old commented, “I am very pleased with the result and love sailing here against the English, who are hard to beat.”
(full story) |
Berlin Team Racing - 23 October 2007
Craig Dibb, Matt Wallis, Toby Morsley, Josh Potts and Jamie Diamond are travelling to Berlin (Potsdamer Yacht Club) to represent Great Britain at this year's 20th European Opti Team Cup which takes place on the 27th/28th October. Nick Cherry recent winner of the RYA National Match Racing Champinships will be coaching them prior to the event.
We wish them all the best in one of the toughest 4-boat team racing events in Europe.
For more details visit the Club website (full story) |
National and Intermediate squad Invitations - 16 October 2007
Further to the publication of the Provisional Rankings for the 2007 Season (which can be viewed via the Results page), the Class Association can now confirm the immediate timetable for communication of Squad Invites, documentation and the acceptance process.
First, the lists of sailors who are being invited to join both the 2007/08 National Squad and the 2007/08 Intermediate Squad are as follows (in ranking order):
National Squad:
David Grant, Tom Britz, Ben Robinson, Christian Townrow, Callum Ellis, Tim Gratton, Ollie Cooper, James Parker-Mowbray, Harry Derbyshire, Ben Harden, David Pain, Josh Sparks, Calum Murdock, Annabel Vose, Craig Dibb, Jess Lavery, Matthew Wallis, Tarra Gill-Taylor, Nick Haynes, Tomas Pain, Scott Wallis, Jack Martin, Jamie Diamond, Matthew Whitfield, Eleni Morus, Matthew Foskett, Chris Taylor, Nia Jones, Stephanie Harding, Georgie Mothersele
Intermediate Squad
Ross Williams, Ed Riley, Charlie Warren, Charlie Cox, Robert Dyer, Toby Morsley, Harry Gozzett, Zoe Parkinson, Callum Airlie, Robert Baddeley, Roo Clark, Michael Moruzzi, Melissa Hamilton, Dan Bullock, Molly Frost, Katie Russell, Zach Brubert, Ross Stanley-Whyte, Ollie Gozzett, Sasha Bruml, Anna Greenwell, Josh Voller, Charlotte Alderton, Hannah Jones, James Poyner, Jake Braybrook, Tom Kemsley, Ben Batten, Sophie Hamilton, Misha Bruml
The formal squad communication process is detailed in the full news item following this link.
(full story) |
Provisional Rankings now online - 16 October 2007
The provisional rankings after completion of the IOCA major events can now be viewed via RESULTS. Any queries should be set to the IOCA Class co-ordinator by the 21st October. The selection committee will then look at squad membership. Invites will then be sent out as soon as possible after that. Squad dates have already been published on the calendar. (full story) |
Renaissance Reinsurance Junior Gold Cup - Bermuda - 15 October 2007
Hamilton, Bermuda: Denmark's Jes Lyhne Bonde led an international invasion of the Renaissance Reinsurance Junior Gold Cup this week.
Bonde won overall honors with the low score of 37 points in the 13-race, two-discard series. Bonde, who placed fifth overall last year, showed great consistency in a variety of weather conditions, winning two races, placing
second three times and scoring nine top-five finishes overall.
NO British boats took up their inivitation to participate due to the clash with the End of Season Championship. (full story) |
Record 338 at End of Season Championship - 11 October 2007
This weekend will see a record number of 338 young Optimist sailors competing on Weymouth Bay, at the Volvo Musto Optimist End of Season Championships (13 - 14 October 07). The Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy, the 2012 Olympic venue, hosted the largest ever Volvo Musto Optimist National Championships earlier this year (28 July – 3 August 07) and following the success of this event, hundreds of competitors signed up for this weekend’s Championships, which aptly coincides with the Optimist class’s 60th Diamond Anniversary.
The Championships will also be attended by Team Volvo for life member, Paul Goodison, who has been recently recommend by the RYA to the British Olympic Association to compete at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. Goodison will be on hand to present prizes on Sunday afternoon and talk to the young sailors about his Olympic experience and encourage them to continue racing ... (full story) |
For all those Diehards! - DIAMOND BALL - 04 October 2007
Me again! It seems that there are still some diehards who want to go ahead with a party so I have spoken to the venue and there is a smaller room available for a scaled down event. Same date, champagne, three course dinner and bar etc I need absolute confirmation asap so if you would like to come please let me know as a matter of urgency.
Thanks
Jos
oppieball@btinternet.com
(full story) |
Optimist Diamond Ball - 02 October 2007
Dear Optimist parents. It is with much sadness that I am making this final appeal. I have not sold nearly enough tickets to make the Optimist Diamond Ball a financial viability and so it will be cancelled at 5pm tomorrow, (Wednesday 3rd October) unless I get significant confirmed intentions to attend by then. Ideally I need 150 bodies (could probably scrape through with 130) but the current figures are only around 80 (of which only 30 have paid). I am going to cut my losses and cancel by the one-month cut off. I will still be liable for a 4 figure cancellation fee but after tomorrow this more than doubles to 65% of the total contract value.
My apologies to all those that have been enthusiastic and behind me all the way - it seems that those that want to party are in the minority!!
(full story) |
Optimist Diamonds are Forever! - 06 September 2007
If you don't subscribe to Yachts & Yachting go and buy the 7 September issue, P92-94 features the Optimist Nationals...some great publicity for our Class!
How you seen the videos/podcasts on the Volvo Optimist site? (full story) |
French Nationals - Day 4 - Wednesday 22nd August - 29 August 2007
For those of you who did not find the report in the forum pages - here it is again
Today was the day that the "RAID" was held on the lake. This is a long race for all the groups, beginning with a “rabbit run” start. It does not count towards the final results so the team decided to treat this as a lay day ... (full story) |
French Nationals - Day 6 - Friday 24th August - 29 August 2007
The last day of the French Nationals at Lac de Serre Poncon saw the Division 1 sailors split into Gold and Silver Fleets based on the overall results from the previous 4 days of qualifying races. Six out of the eight sailors in the British Sailing Team made it into the Gold Fleet, and two were in the Silver Fleet. The Gold Fleet sailors were Alex, Tom, Ollie, Callum, Robbie and Sam. Annabel and Craig were in the Silver Fleet. Henrietta Brand, a private entry from the UK, was also in the Silver Fleet.
It was another warm and sunny day with the wind building from a slow start up to about 10 knots, from the West. The fleet were sailing the Carantec course with the Gold fleet starting first and doing the outer loop in each race, followed by the Silver fleet on the Inner loop. There appeared to be more wind on the Inner loop which meant that the Silver fleet had a slightly easier day than the Gold Fleet sailors ...
(full story) |
OP-News - Urgent call for articles, photos etc - 26 August 2007
Please note that 3 Sept is the cut off date for copy/photos for Op News, so far i have only received one short article and a link to a few photos. If you want Op News to continue you need to contribute.
Editor
(full story) |
French Nationals Day 5 – Thursday 23rd August - 24 August 2007
Sunshine once again welcomed the sailors to the turquoise blue waters of Lac de Serre Poncon for the 2nd to last day of racing. The wind varied from 5 to 12 knots on average, but was very patchy and inconsistent in strength and direction. These conditions brought mixed fortunes for the sailors. The top three places are held by German sailors, with Pia Nuernberger and Paul Preuss tied for first place overall ... (full story) |
French Nationals - Day 3 - 23 August 2007
A very tricky day, which started with heavy overnight rain and plummeting temperatures resulting in snow capped mountains when the team awoke this morning, but Kirsty still had the team in the swimming pool for early morning fitness before heading down to the club!!
The fleet launched on time in a light breeze and warm sun and headed the 3 miles down the lake for the Division 1 start area under grey skies, and then waited ages for the breeze to settle before the course could be laid. (full story) |
French Nationals - Day 2 - 21 August 2007
The team had a very good day in the French Nationals at Lac de Serre Poncon. There was sunshine all day, temperatures in the 20's and wind gusting to 18 knots from the North West. Although this was a predominantly gradient wind, the direction was oscillating through 30 degrees, making it key to play the shifts on the beat as well as down-wind.
Pia Murnberger from Germany is wearing the yellow shirt as the overall leader at the end of the day after 3 races.
Calum Ellis and Tom Britz pulled off a 1st and 2nd for Team GBR in one of the races. Alex Mothersele also won a race in convincing style as well .
The team places overall are:
Tom Britz - 5th
Robbie Urwin - 22nd
Alex Mothersele - 28th
Callum Ellis - 35th
Ollie Cooper - 36th
Craig Dibb - 43rd
Annabel Vose - 56th
Sam Robinson - 69th
In Division 2, Georgie Mothersele pulled off two 1st places, so also wears a yellow jersey overnight as the overall leader of that fleet after 3 races. (full story) |
French Nationals - Day 1 - 20 August 2007
The Optimist sailing team representing Britain at the "Coupe internationale d'été Optimist 2007" have all settled in and are ready for action.
The event is being held at Lac de Serre-Poncon in the Southern French Alps. The team is Oliver Cooper, Sam Robinson, Tom Britz, Annabel Vose, Robbie Urwin, Craig Dibb, Alex Mothersele and Calum Ellis. They arrived at the venue early and did 2 full days of training with Kirsty Bonar as the coach. There was a practice race on Saturday 19th which most of the team used as an opportunity to get a Black Flag at the start. That evening there was an official parade of all the teams through the local town of Chorges followed by a warm welcome from the organisers at the opening ceremony. Racing starts tomorrow and the weather looks set to be warm and sunny again. The main challenge sofar has been to avoid dehydration and sunburn in the Alpine sunshine.
There are also 3 entries from the siblings of the team sailors . They are Kirsty Urwin, Georgie Mothersele and Morgan Dibb. The team parents are all comfortably settled into apartments overlooking the lake and are also ready for a relaxing week in the Alps. (full story) |
John Merricks Sailing Trust Optimist won at 2007 Volvo Musto Optimist National Championships - 17 August 2007
Earlier this year the UK International Optimist Class Association (IOCA (UK)) announced that it had linked up with the John Merricks Sailing Trust as its official charity, and as part of the link up the Trust further announced that it would donate a brand new Optimist to be won by a sailor competing at the 2007 Volvo Musto Optimist National Championships in Weymouth.
The Championships took place at the end of July in Weymouth, and IOCA (UK) and the Trust are very pleased to reveal that the winner is Callum Airlie (12) from St Mary’s Loch Sailing Club in Scotland.
(full story) |
The IOCA Committee needs your help - 06 August 2007
Are you interested in joining the IOCA Committee to help the Optimist Class continue to develop and grow?
You'll have seen that there's a new Marketing Officer position on the Committee...it now needs filling!
Don't be put off by the apparent vast scope of the role...we've been busy building a Marketing Sub Committee and now have a team of committed people in place who have the specialist skills - eg writing Press Releases, editing Op News, putting Sponsorship Proposals together, etc etc...
We now need somebody to head up this team!
If you have some marketing background and probably more importantly some commercial experience and interest, please will you call me for a no commitmemt chat about the role, asap!!
(Or if you know somebody you think would be good at this role, might not step forward but might be persuadable, please send me their name and contact details!)
Jane Porter
01590 612902 or 07782 167862
jane@bartleymarketing.co.uk (full story) |
Nationals Thank You's - 05 August 2007
I hope you all enjoyed this years Nationals event as much as I did.
I would just like to reiterate my thanks to all of you who gave your time and energy to make this years event not only the biggest ever but also probably one of the most successful.
The Co operation from Mark Stubbins and all the team (Rosie, Phil, Ed, Jim) at the WPNSA helped 0the event to run as smoothly as possible.
Also a special thanks to Barbara and her team in the kitchen for keeping the sailors fed and watered
Digger (full story) |
IODA Worlds - Day 5 - 01 August 2007
Perfect winds of 16-18 knots rising later to 20 enabled the race committee to run four races today.
An outstanding 1/1/2/3 from Adonis Tsiboukelis of Greece sent him shooting up the leader board to a single point behind the current leader Benjamin Grez of Chile, and both Adonis and Chris Steele (NZL) have better second discards which will be taken after the first race tomorrow. But with the possibility of two or more races tomorrow the competititon is wide open.
Tomorrow's final day will, wind gods willing, be a fitting climax to the great, varied racing conditions provided by the bay of Cagliari.
GBR Results
13 James Grant 6/25/5/6
40 Phil Sparks 18/29/8/OCS
80 Christian Townrow 37/45/23/18
86 Aaron Smith 11/OCS/7/24
133 Ben Robinson 64/38/42/42
More news on the IODA Worlds FORUM Pages (full story) |
IODA Worlds - Day 4 - 30 July 2007
Wind returned to give a fantastic day's racing in average 24 knots, rising to an officially recorded 32 knots at one time. With waves of less than one metre this is the stuff Optimist sailors revel in.
While the hot-shots revelled in the conditions, at the other end of the fleet there were relatively few who were unable to cope (note that the score-sheets do not distinguish between DNF and DNC).
GBR Results
21 James Grant
30 Phil Sparks
69 Christian Townrow
82 Aaron Smith
114 Ben Robinson (full story) |
IODA Worlds - Monday 30th - 30 July 2007
After two rest days ( we missed out on the team racing becuase of our three OCS ) we are back in the dinghy park . We have a good breeze and are hoping to get in four races today . So far we have only done five and have no discard yet. Aaron and james are excited by the chance of more breeze. (full story) |
Worlds - Day 3 - 27 July 2007
Results after 5 races
34th Phil Sparks
73rd James Grant
98th Christian Townrow
129th Ben Robinson
141st Aaron Smith
Only one race was sailed on Day 3 due to light and falling winds. There is also a clear divide between those who flourished in the heavy weather of day 1 and those who prefer lighter winds.
Tomorrow (Saturday) fleet racing is suspended in favour of the World Team Racing Championship. The seeding for that championship, based on the results of the top four sailors per team in the first five races including discards, produced some shocks. Peru, frequent finalists, failed to qualify as did GBR and Japan. (full story) |
Worlds - Day 2 - 27 July 2007
A total of over 60 OCS and BFD disqualifications in race three had a dramatic, if probably temporary effect on the cumulative results after four races. The first discard is taken after five races.
Winds were lighter than on day one with a maximum of 12 knots but there was no problem in running two good races ...
GBR Results
43 Phil Sparks
59 James Grant (counting OCS)
96 Ben Robinson
102 Christian Townrow (counting OCS)
109 Aaron Smith (counting OCS)
(full story) |
Worlds - Day 1 Report - 25 July 2007
Today was the first day of racing here at sunny Sardinia.
The mistral left over from the practice race was blowing through the night and greeted the fleet as they arrived at the dinghy park.
The days races were held close to the shore, maybe the race committee were expecting a gale. The breeze ranged from 14-18 knots with some biggish light wind holes.
Sunny, warm and and windy what a combination ... (full story) |
STOP PRESS - Worlds Day 1 - 25 July 2007
Two races were sailed in strong winds at the IODA World Chamionships.
1st Julien Authenrieth (GER) (last year's champion) - 1,1
2nd Pierre Quiroga (FRA) - 1,2
3rd Ruggerro Titta (ITA) - 3,1
GBR results
11th James Grant - 6,6
18th Aaron Smith - 8,8
69th Christian Townrow - 34,17
71th Ben Robinson - 23,28
77th Phil Sparks - 42,13
Full results on www.optiworld.org under NEWS (full story) |
Nationals rapidly approaching - 19 July 2007
This year's largest event is rapidly approaching. We the British Optimist parents are hosting this event. In order to ensure the smooth running we require about 100 man-days of support per day throughout the week.
If you visit the Nationals event website, you will see numerous tasks that need man-power resourcing.
Firstly, many thanks to all those of you who have already committed to helping with this event.
For those, not yet "press-ganged", have a look at the opporunties available on the RIGHT-HAND menu of the event website and choose an activity you could help us with.
Lots of helpers make light work, and spread the load to enable all the parents to enjoy their week in Weymouth. (full story) |
Report from the Europeans in Greece - 17th July 2007 - 17 July 2007
A wonderfully successful European Championships has just concluded with the best British results for a long time. The team did incredibly well under difficult conditions, and can be extremely proud of themselves.
After two days of waiting for the wind to drop, the race committee managed to get one race completed on the final day. It was still very windy, but sailable. Some of the team had their best result on this last race, but for some the second discard meant that their overall placing dropped. Frustrating, but that’s sailing in these conditions. Full results available via the link on the left hand side.
The boats are all packed up, the sailing gear is back at the hotel, and the team are busy doing their final “swaps” whilst getting ready for tonight’s closing ceremony. Following that there will be a party in the hotel, so there won’t be much sleep tonight!
Tomorrow we fly back to England, hoping that you’ve used up all the rain in our absence…! Some chance - ed.
See you at the Nationals very soon.
Regards from Athens
The Europeans Team
(full story) |
Report from Europeans in Greece - 15th July 2007 - 16 July 2007
It was very windy today, with gusts of over 30 knots in the bay, so no sailing was possible. We waited on the beach until 2pm hoping it would drop, but to no avail, so we all repaired to the parents’ hotel once more to cool off in the pool.
In the evening we ate in an Italian restaurant in Glyfada. No arm wrestling results to report today, sadly, but we had a good evening, topped off by Haagen Dazs once more. This time we walked back to the hotel to shed some of the calories!
Regards from Athens
The Europeans Team
(full story) |
Report from Europeans in Greece 2007 - 14th July 2007 (Updated) - 14 July 2007
Today saw the second of the six days of racing in the European Championships. Unlike yesterday when we had a fair bit of cloud, today was another hot and cloudless day with a northerly wind of around 20 knots. The team was launched by 10.15am and completed the two races scheduled for the day, returning to shore by 2.30pm. Our best result was a 3rd by David, and some of the other team members had some really good improvements in their positions compared to earlier days. You can find the individual results on the event website. We’re now just over half way through the 12 races, and have a further three days to go.
Off the water we are continuing to enjoy ourselves. Last night the team met up with the Grant, Gill-Taylor, Harden and Murdock clans for dinner in Glyfada, the suburb of Athens closest to us. The individual highlights of the evening included Jane getting a chance to hit the shops, and Anna beating Calum at arm-wrestling! We had a really nice meal at George’s steak bar, topped off with Hagen Daaz ice cream eaten on the tram back to the hotel.
Tonight after sailing there was a barbeque on the beach, with typically Greek food; it was an enjoyable way to finish the day. We had the usual wait for the bus back to the hotel, which has been rather frustrating all week, but things are slightly better in that the organisers have now laid on enough coaches to take us all in one trip.
The hotel is fairly noisy in the evenings, as you can imagine with around 100 sailors under one roof, with much mixing of the teams, and a multitude of languages in each corridor. It’s a great experience for the kids and they seem to be really enjoying themselves.
Regards from Athens
The European Team
(full story) |
Report from Europeans in Greece 2007 - July 10th Update - 10 July 2007
The pre-event is over, and we’re now gearing up for the European Championships.
Yesterday we had a day of sightseeing in Athens. We went by tram to the centre of the city and then walked up to the Acropolis. Sounds simple, but in over 30oC it was quite taxing, but once we got there it was well worth the effort and the whole team were really pleased we’d made it (photos on the website soon). After lunch in a Greek taverna, where we sampled the delights of cheese pie and other local delicacies, we retired to the luxury of the pool in the parents’ hotel and cooled off – much appreciated by the entire team! The evening meal was enjoyed overlooking the sea where we were treated to a glorious sunset.
Today it was back to the heat of the sailing venue and the joys of measurement. It was fairly well organised and we got all the boats through with no problems and all in half an hour. Registration and accreditation was also completed and we then headed back to our hotel for a relaxing afternoon out of the sun. Typical daily temperatures are well into the high 30s, so we’re working hard to keep our sailors cool. Fortunately, our hotel is air-conditioned, as are the coaches and trams, so it’s very pleasant.
Wednesday, July 11th, is the practice race and opening ceremony, and then we’re into six days of racing. The sailors are working hard on the water, and getting used to the local sailing conditions, thanks to some great coaching by Graham Vials. Off the water they are meeting old and new friends and having a great time.
Results from the Pre event can be found on the event website www.optieuro2007.gr (full story) |
IOCA GBR Euros team arrive in Athens safely - 05 July 2007
Dear All
Today was very hot, team went to site at about 10 am and got the boats together. They are all brand new bluemagic’s and all were happy The site is interesting as it is quite away from anything and Mike is not sure it is big enough, There is very little shade and there will be 4 loos for all.. After a couple of hours of putting things together, Rose and I went shopping and to get petrol for the rib (good job I have a car) whilst the kids swam in the warm sea. Lunch was in Taverna on the beach and lasted till 2. Typically Greek with lots of fish and salads finished off with huge icecreams. All went sailing at 3 for 2 hours and I retired to the pool at the hotel.
Pre regatta starts tomorrow with as yet no idea of what time, very southern European. All the kids are well and a delight, all are covering up, wearing suncream and drinking lots. The wind today was 15-20 knots. They had a blast.
Regards whilst sipping beer by the pool
Your correspondent in Athens
(full story) |
Flanders Youth Regatta - 02 July 2007
Day one saw no racing with light winds and strong tides.
Three races were sailed in Nieuwpoort, Belguim on the 1st July. Tom Britz is currently lying in 3rd place have scored (2,1,10). Robbie Urwin is also competing against 116 other sailors from Belgium, Brazil, Czech Republic, France, Ireland, The Netherlands, Switzerland, South Africa, United Arab Emirates and the United States.
Day 3 saw the Dutch in the top 3 positions. Tom Britz is lying in 5th scoring a 3rd and 15th. Robbie Urwin has moved up to 20th with an 8th and a 2nd.
Day 4 saw only one race sailed. Tom Britz finished 3rd to move him up to 4th overall on 19 points one point off the broze medal position. The Dutch continue to dominate filled the top three slots. Robbie Urwin lost ground having lost a protest in race 4 (losing his 8th).
Day 5 saw heavy showers and strong winds. The organising committee decided not to run any more race so the final results from last night stand. (full story) |
John Merricks Sailing Trust official IOCA(UK) charity - 22 June 2007
The UK International Optimist Class Association (IOCA(UK)) is very pleased to formally announce that it is linking up with the John Merricks Sailing Trust as its official charity.
As part of this link up, IOCA(UK) is very excited to announce that the Trust will be donating a brand new Optimist, which will be won by a sailor at the 2007 Volvo Musto Optimist National Championships in Weymouth. This is a fantastic and generous offer, and the class looks forward to announcing the winner at the Prize Giving at the end of the week. The exact basis on which the boat will be won is being agreed between the Trustees and senior members of the IOCA(UK) committee, but it can confirmed now that it will be awarded to a British sailor competing in the Junior Fleet at Weymouth, with the exact criteria being announced at the Opening Ceremony on Sunday 29th July 2007.
(full story) |
Harken Royal Lymington YC Optimist Open - 14 June 2007
Harken Royal Lymington YC Optimist Open attracts record 126 entrants.
The Harken Royal Lymington YC Main Fleet Optimist Open, sponsored once again by Harken, took place over the weekend of 9 & 10 June in the Western Solent. This year’s event was also designated by the International Optimist Class Association UK (IOCA) as a Super Grand Prix, part of a UK wide travellers series sponsored by Rooster Sailing, and a record 126 Optimist sailors from all corners of the UK converged at Lymington for the weekend.
Strong tides were always going to be the main challenge for PRO Geoff Stock this weekend but Saturday dawned fine, and by the time the whole fleet had sailed down the river and a short way to the west, the sea breeze had already settled to a pleasant Force 3 and the tide had just started to flood.
(full story) |
Gold at World Island Games - 14 June 2007
Jane Sceales aged 14, who is a member of Yarmouth Sailing Club has just returned from winning the sailing trophy and Gold medal at the Youth World Island Games in Corsica. She is a member of the IOCA(UK) National Squad and will represent Great Britain at the European Championships in Athens during July. (full story) |
2007 Nationals - 14 June 2007
A couple of important pieces of information that you should all be aware of
Mother ship - due to the excellent number of entries I feel we need another mother ship for the main fleet
If you are able to hep please contact Digger on 07806624852
IOCA will pay the mooring fees for the week and you will be able to moor at WPNSA in the heart of the action.
ALSO If you were thinking of training at weymouth in the week before the event you will need to contact Rosie Julian for permission.
WPNSA are hosting the combined Cherub and International Moth national championships in the week prior to our event, which means that space at the sailing academy is limited. (full story) |
National Championships - Update - 13 June 2007
With a record level of entries for the Nationals this year at Weymouth, Its time to ask people to sign up and volunteer for duties at the Nationals.
I have in place a great team of people responsible for the overall smooth running of the different areas of the event, for example Steve Grant is taking overall responsibility for the results, Steve Witty is chief beachmaster and Nigel Alderton is safety control.
We now need YOU to step forward and support these key people to ensure our children can have a great weeks sailing. Please visit the national web site to enrole. (full story) |
IOCA Team Racing - 16th/17th June - 11 June 2007
IOCA(UK) are very sorry to announce that the IOCA Four Boat Team Racing Event scheduled to take place next weekend at Burghfield Sailing Club will now not take place as planned.
The event has been sadly cancelled for a variety of reasons, and although it is possible an alternative event may take place at a later stage, no firm decisions have been made. IOCA (UK) will confirm in due course whether it still plans to go ahead with sending a team to the Ledro Team Racing event in August, as this event was being used as the Selection Event.
The organisers and IOCA are very sorry that this has occurred at such a late time, as are Burghfield Sailing Club. They have indicated that anyone still wishing to sail at Burghfield on Sunday may do so as they are organising an internal "Burghfield Blast" event which will involve lots of very short races and lots of starts. (full story) |
Optimist Training Scheme and Log Book - 01 June 2007
One of the key benefits of membership of the Class Association is involvement in our Optimist specific Training Programme, along with a free Log-Book in which a sailors progress can be recorded, certificates added, and badges won.
We have been looking at the value the scheme brings to new Optimist sailors, particularly as the Log Book and scheme contains much 'class knowledge' and extensive experience in its content ... this has great value to any new sailor to the class, and our sailors love the Log Book as a record of their achievements.
Historically the Log Book has also been available for purchase by non-members, flotilla’s and other cubs and organisations, and we are happy for this to continue so that the scheme is used as widely as possible. However, in order to encourage IOCA membership we are increasing the price of the Log Book for non members as of 1st June 2007 to £12.50.
Flotilla’s, Sailing Clubs and other organisations wanting to obtain new Log Books for sale to non-IOCA members will therefore need to pay the new price for any new books ordered from the Class Coordinator. They should also sell any existing stock they may have at the new price. Alternatively, non-IOCA members can be encouraged to join the Class Association and they will then receive the Log Book as part of their Membership Pack at no additional cost.
(full story) |
IOCA Teams announced - 25 May 2007
The Optimist GBR World, European and French Championship Teams were announced this weekend during the Volvo Musto Inland Championship at Grafham Water Sailing Club (19 – 20 May).
The Selection Weekends took place at Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy (20 – 22 April) and Pwllheli SC (5 -7 May). The two events provided excellent tests for the sailors, with different tactics required for both light and strong winds. It was up to the sailors to use skill, grit and determination to take advantage whenever the breeze changed. (full story) |
Volvo Musto Inland Championship - 24 May 2007
Young sailors in the Volvo Musto Optimist Inland Championship faced extreme weather conditions on Grafham Water this weekend (19 – 20 May). A record 315 Optimist sailors headed out for the first day of racing on Saturday dealing with an exhilarating breeze of up to 30 knots. Aaron Smith, from Papercourt Yacht Club, took centre stage winning all his races and securing the championship.
The wind played a significant part in race positions with the experienced and older sailors in the Main Fleet revelling in the conditions. (full story) |
Squad Selection Policy - Adendum Announcement - 16 May 2007
Recently the IOCA(UK) committee announced the publication of its updated Squad Selection Policy which will be used for the selection of the 2007/8 National, Intermediate and Development Squads, and squads in future years. Selection is primarily based on earning ranking points from our three Ranking events, the first of which, the Inland Championships, takes place this weekend at Grafham Water.
The Selection Policy is available via the Publications/Downloads section on this website.
However, the Policy did not specifically cater for situations where one of our Ranking events clashes with a major international event to which we send a selected team - the European Championships or the World Championships.
This year we have the situation of our National Championships at Weymouth clashing with the World Championships; consequently five of our sailors will miss the National Championships, and some of them may well have been looking to earn ranking points at that event.
The committee have therefore approved an amendment to the Squad Selection Policy which caters for such eventualities, and this is now formally published here. In due course it will form an appendix to the published Policy, although it should be emphasised that this appendix only takes effect when there is a clash between one of our ranking events and either the European or World Championships, and it will only be applied to allocate appropriate ranking points to the sailors in the team that miss the clashing ranking event.
(full story) |
Looking forward to next issue of OP-News - 16 May 2007
We know lots of you are eagerly awaiting April's Op News which we'd originally promised for the end of April...
....and our new editor Catherine Massey is working hard to bring it to you as quickly as possible.
However due to technical teething problems (such as starting from scratch learning a publishing software and working out how to get the photos in!) Catherine's sorry to have to let you know that it's taking a little longer than she'd hoped...
...and it won't be with you until the end of May now.
Our apologies, we hope to get Op News back on track timing-wise, soon! (full story) |
Inlands Help needed - 13 May 2007
Calling all parents,
As you know IOCA is run by parents for the benifit of all our children,
Every year we loose a lot of experienced parents as children grow up and move on to sail other classes of boats.
This means that we constantly need to recruit and train new helpers to ensure the events run smoothly
For the Inlands we need some extra helpers for the registration process this will be for two or three hours on saturday morning only
Fiona Rainback will show you what to do
Without some more volunteers we will all be spending a long time queing to register
Please contact Fiona at ioca@btinternet.com (full story) |
Optimists battle it out at Pwllheli - 09 May 2007
75 (of an original 87) Optimist sailors travelled to Pwllheli for the Bank Holiday weekend 5-7 May for part two of the invitational 2007 Volvo Musto Optimist World and European Team Selection Trials, to battle it out for the International Optimist Class Association UK (IOCA) places to represent GBR at the IODA Worlds, IODA Europeans and the French Nationals.
With 8 of a possible 16 race series completed in light winds at Weymouth two weeks previously, there was plenty to play for. (full story) |
Optimist Diamond Anniversary Ball - 02 May 2007
Come on Parents ... beat the Nationals Regatta Fleet in terms of numbers, and sign up for the the Optimist Diamond Anniversary Ball, celebrating the 60th Anniversary of the design of the Optimist Dinghy. We are very grateful that Jos Stirling has stepped forward to organise something for the parents, and this is your chance to get involved.
The Ball takes place at Wokefield Park near Reading on Saturday 3rd November 2007, and we now need an early indication of interest - the event Website is now live via the Calendar, so get going and sign up; note that there is no Training Fleet - Ball goers of all standards welcome!
Event website can be accessed via the Optimist Calendar. (full story) |
Nationals online entry goes live - 01 May 2007
At 00:01 on the 1st May, the online entry system for the Volvo Musto Optimist Nationals went live. It certainly was not a stampede but rather an organised trickle in the early hours. (This is actually normal).
The first entry was received at 00:02:33 with a further 6 entries during the first hour. Things were quiet with only three entries between 1 o'clock and 6 o'clock.
My guess is that there were more of us watching the entry numbers increase than actually stayed up to enter at the "front of the queue".
There are plenty of places available for all who wish to sail at the nationals, and generous entry limits have been set in order to accommodate our members and visiting sailors subject to safety cover considerations.
Please do NOT leave your entry to the last minute as you might find yourself disappointed.
Many thanks
Your event administratiion team
PS at 09:30 entries stood at Seniors:6 Juniors:15 Regatta Fleet:34
PPS At 16:25 100 entries were received! (full story) |
Selections at Pwllheli - 30 April 2007
IOCA have been asked to advise all competitors that Camping, caravans and Camper homes are not permitted overnight at Pwllheli Sailing Club.
This is a planning restriction imposed by the local authority and PSC ask for your co operation on this matter
(full story) |
Girls doing great things - 30 April 2007
IOCA Girls Training Day, Grafham Water SC Saturday 28th April
Twenty three optimist sailors arrived at Grafham Water to find a good 20 knot breeze, instead of the forecast 10 knots!
The sun was out though, so every one was keen to go sailing, despite some being a little apprehensive, so everyone rigged & got changed.
The coaching team, led by Ally Martin, Charlotte Savage, Holly Jones and Peter Bell (who had to step in at the last minute!) decided that everyone should try to go sailing. The groups were 6 sailors to a coach & rib, with 5 in the youngest group, so safety was good. Every one was well dressed in case they went for a swim! Ally's group were all Zone Squad sailors, so they revelled in the breezy conditions.
Morning session was boat handling, all the girls launched, and despite several capsizes! all kept going and tried really hard. Lunchtime was very noisy! with everyone tucking into hot food in the cafeteria.. The afternoon session was practise starts with the whole fleet, followed by a race. They did three big races in total, a few capsizes, but everyone managed to complete at least one race. (full story) |
Selection Trials - Day 3 - 22 April 2007
Light winds produced a race of snakes and ladders for most of the sailors. The leading pair of Phil Sparks and James Grant capitalised on the conditions to pull clear from the chasing pack finishing 1st and 2nd.
Tara-Gill Taylor took third place which catapulted him into the top 12. Craig Dibb picked up his second top 5 result of the weekend with a 4th. David Grant is keeping the pressure on for a Worlds place with a 5th in the last race for this weekend.
Overall standings after 8 races and 1 discard
1. Phil Sparks 8 pts
2. James Grant 17 pts
3. Alex Mothersele 47 pts
4. David Grant 49 pts
5. Anna Burnet 72 pts
6. Ben Robinson 76 pts
7. Aaron Smith 87 pts
8. Christian Townrow 90 pts
9. Calum Murdock 93 pts
10. Hermione Stanley 95 pts
Part II of the selection trials will take place at Pwllheli Sailing Club on the 5th - 7th May with a further 8 races scheduled. (full story) |
Selection Trials - Day 2 - 22 April 2007
Saturday saw another glorious sunny day and contrary to the weather forecast, 12 knots of breeze greeted the sailors at the start of race 5. Three races were scheduled for the day and completed in good time.
In race 5 Philip Sparks continued his winning ways finishing ahead of Craig Dibb and Alex Mothersele. James Grant continued his consistant sailing to finish 4th with Ben Robinson not far behind in 5th. (full story) |
Nationals 2007 - 21 April 2007
On line entry for the 2007 National Championships will be available from 1st May 2007. Entries made and paid for by the 31st May will be placed in a draw. The prize will be one free entry for the 2007 Championships. The draw will be made during the Nationals (full story) |
Volvo Musto Selection Trials - Day 1 - 21 April 2007
Friday saw 86 Optimist sailors participate in the first long weekend of the Volvo Musto Optimist World, European and French National Team Selection Trials.
The top five sailors will represent Great Britain at the IODA World Championships being held in Sardinia. The next 3 boys will compete at the IODA Boys European Championships in Greece and the top 3 girls in the IODA Girls European Championships. One more place is available to either a boy or a girl based on his/her ranking. The next 8 are eligible to attend the French Nationals.
After the light winds which plagued the RYA Youth Championships, the fleet arrived in Portland, wary of the weather forecast. Moderate wind on Friday with it being forecast to drop towards the end of the weekend.
The Optimist fleet was made up of the top 80 from the IOCA rankings and a few wildcard entries from the RYA Optimist Zone squads.
Last year's winner, Philip Sparks, is hoping to emulate back-to-back wins as has occurred on 5 previous occassions with Chris Draper having set the record of 3 consecutive wins. Buoyed by his convincing recent win at the Dutch Easter Regatta battle was to commence with other ex-World sailors James Grant, Anna Burnet, Christian Townrow and Aaron Smith.
With glorious sunshine and 10 knots of breeze from the Southeast, James won the first race ahead of Philip with Alex Mothersele in third.
Ben Robinson and Annabel Vose collected valuable points by finishing 4th and 5th respectively. (full story) |
Volvo Musto Selection Trials - 20 April 2007
Day 1 of the selection trials has seen four Optimist races in glorious sunshine and wind.
The overnight leaders are as follows:
1. Philip Sparks 5 points
2. James Grant 10 points
3. Alex Mothersele 27 points
4. Anna Burnett 33 points
5. Christian Townrow 42 points
6. Hermione Stanley 43 points
3 races are scheduled for tomorrow and the first discard will be applied once 5 races have been sailed.
For the latest information on what is happening in Weymouth click on Selections event website (full story) |
Bowmoor Easter Regatta - 18 April 2007
Fifteen entrants braved the windy conditions at the Easter optimist regatta at Bowmoor. Thankfully the new clubhouse was finally open to keep the parents comfortable.
A figure of eight course was set for the racing with some testing beats into the shifty and blustery conditions.
In the first race the fleet was a little eager and James Parker-Mowbray was over the line, knew it, thought about going back but did not duck far enough to satisfy the OOD. Most of the fleet went left with only Scot Wallis electing to take a huge right hand flier. At the first mark Ross Williams was in the lead followed by Issy Hamilton and Matt Wallis. Ross held the lead until the end of the second beat when he was caught out by a large windshift and just missed laying the mark. Matt overtook as Ross did his turn and held on for the remaining laps to win with Issy second and Scott third.
(full story) |
Garda Easter Regatta - 18 April 2007
The 25th optimist meeting at Riva del Garda took place over the Easter weekend and was attended by a team of 15 British sailors. Several were returning for a second time but some newcomers joined the team which was based at the Yacht Club in neighbouring Torbole.
The event attracts over 700 competitors from 21 countries and 563 of these are in the older ‘juniores’ fleet (sailors born in or after 1995). The team was supported by the SE zone coach Will Burdall who provided the sailors with 2 days pre event coaching and supported them throughout the four days of racing. (full story) |
Evening Meals at the Inlands - 16 April 2007
Please note that if you require an evening meal at Grafham water sailing club at this years Inland championship it is necessary to book in advance. This can be done online on the event website for the Optimist Inlands. (full story) |
British win at Braassemermeer 2007 - 10 April 2007
The 2007 Braassemermeer Easter Regatta will be remembered for many things by the many different UK sailors and families who were present. Most important it was one of our most successful visits to the Braassemermeer for many years with overall wins in the Gold Fleet and Silver Fleet, and, as announced at the prize giving, a “landslide” victory in the overall Team Prize.
Phil Sparks went one better after last year’s disappointment and won the event with a race to spare, and a large point advantage over second placed Morgan Kiss from the USA. (full story) |
Great British Start to Dutch Easter Regatta - 06 April 2007
Only one race was sailed in tricky conditions on the first day at this year's Durch Easter Regatta. The British showed their form with Phil Sparks winning his race.
Roger Stabbins finished 2nd in his race. Sam Robinson and Ben Gratton both finished 3rd in their respective races with Zoe Parkinson and David Grant finishing fourth.
7 more British finished in the top ten in their races.
Full results click here (full story) |
2007 IOCA(UK) Super Grand Prix Series - 29 March 2007
The International Optimist Class Association (UK) – IOCA (UK), acts in a coordination role to support Optimist Racing across the UK, and notably ‘Open’ Events organised by local Optimist flotillas.
For 2007, IOCA (UK), in conjunction with a number of such local Open events will oversee a Super Grand Prix Series, using the Overall Results from nominated events as a basis for a Series.
The winner of this inaugural Super Grand Prix Series will be presented with the Chairman’s Challenge Trophy, which will be awarded at the 2007 End of Season Championship.
click here (full story) |
2007 Nationals Plate Design - 29 March 2007
As many will already be aware, 2007 is the 60th Anniversary of when our beloved Optimist was designed by Clark Mills, and the popularity of the class now excels anything that might have been envisaged then; with more than 150,000 children around the world sailing Optimists it is the largest and still the fastest growing dinghy class on the world.
To celebrate this Diamond Jubilee the UK class association are organising a number of events and memorabilia to mark this. One such item is our Annual Plate which we present to every attendee at our National Championships. Over the past few years we have run a competition amongst the class membership for the design of this plate, it's objective being to capture the spirit of the class and the event venue; this has generated some great designs from our members, and the plates are prized collectables ...
(full story) |
Catherine Massey takes on OP-News Editorship - 21 March 2007
We are pleased to announce that Catherine Massey has volunteered to take over as Op News Editor, joining Issy Hamilton who's agreed to continue as Junior Op News Editor. The new editorial "team" will tell you more (and there'll be a photo so you can r | | |