New Zealand International Optimist Dinghy Association

1st March 2010 The South Island again dominated the Interislander Optimist Challenge, Island of origin Opti style, the winner decided from the best results through the age groups from both Optimist Classes.

Jayvee Buchanan of Charteris Bay won the Open Optimist Class for the second time, Taylor Burn of Queen Charlotte was 1 point behind in 2nd, and Liam Closey of Murrays Bay 3rd. Grace Hawtin of Queen Charlotte convincingly won the Green Fleet, Steffi Loncar of Queen Charlotte in 2nd and Blake Woodfield of Taupo 3rd.

76 young sailors from all over New Zealand took to the sparkling waters of Queen Charlotte Sound outside Mabel Island in the Optimist Open Fleet.  The strong Green Fleet of 29 sailors sailed a separate course inside Picton harbour. Three days of racing were scheduled for the Optimists as this regatta is one of the NZ International Optimists Dinghy Association's three selection regattas outside of the National Championships for the sailors vying for spots to represent NZ in International regattas.

Marlborough's Mayor, Alistair Sowman, formally opened the event and sailors and supporters were treated to a stunning 'Taste of Marlborough' provided by generous local sponsors and the hard working QCYC kitchen team.

Racing started Friday in light and shifty winds but brilliant sunshine, first race for the Open Fleet under way by 1pm and 4 races were completed as scheduled but  long day on the water. The Port Marlborough Top of the South Youth Regatta started on Saturday, the sailors in P Class, Starling, Splash and Laser 4.7 joining the Optimists on the same course but with different starts.

Racing was scheduled for a 10.30am start and the Optimists were all towed out to the course only to wait for the wind to fill in. An early lunch was called for and the sailors were entertained with the antics of the Kohimarama Yacht Club crew in the Pirate ship, the old Port Marlborough tender flying the 'skull and crossbones, the crew brandishing all manner of rusty weapons.

The Principle Race Officer, Gerry Martin, did a great job of ensuring fair courses in the shifty conditions that saw many sailors climb or drop in placings depending on how well they could read the conditions. The Green Fleet inside the harbour had similar shifty conditions that saw the local young stars make the most of the racing. Phil Chandler, the Green Fleet Race Officer, looked after the junior sailors well and by end of the day they had completed another 4 good races.

Sunday started with a 6.30am tsunami warning and the possibility of a major delay. The arrival of the NZ Police telling us to pack up and leave the beach led to the abandonment of the Regatta. Prizegiving was shifted to the Queen Charlotte College assembly hall on higher ground. The threat of surges subsided so a BBQ completed the event back at the Yacht Club and we could toast the fabulous sailing conditions we weren't able to sail in.

The young Queen Charlotte sailors performed well in all classes and relished the chance to compete against some NZ's top young sailors. The Interislander Optimist Challenge is becoming well established on the junior circuit, the Port Marlborough Youth Regatta will grow with the Interislander success and create more good competition outside the major sailing centres. The comment was often made this weekend ...'who would pass up the chance of a great road trip to a great event'. 

Results for Interisland Optimist Challenge and Port Marlborough Top of the South Youth Regatta are now on the opening page of the QCYC website.  www.qcyc.org.nz

Rob Burn
Commodore
QCYC

Wednesday 16 December
Daily reports and results are being posted on the IODA website.
Teams racing is scheduled for today following 2 days of fleet racing. The team who will be racing are Markus, Ellie, Liam Closey and Michael. William is recovering from the exhaustion of yesterday's epic day and Jamie is looking forward to keeping her head cool and feet dry. 
The competition here is as hot as the weather. All sailors are the top ranked from their respective countries and many have competed at the Worlds. The Thailand sailor Nappakao Poompat, who finished 4th at the 2009 Worlds and first female, continues to dominate. The Kiwis are getting fantastic results given the level of competition!
Two races were completed on the first day with winds light and shifty. Liam Closey had a great first day on the water with a 12th & 15th.


Photos from Opening Ceremony & Racing Days 1 & 2

Today marked the official start of the regatta for measuring and registration. Having arrived on Wednesday we were well set up with the boats and ready. The kids have been on the water now for 3 days and are learning each day about the conditions. Today, there was a good 15-20 knots when they hit the water at 11:00--this was the most breeze there has been, although the pattern seems to repeat each day where it builds in the morning till about 12:00 then slowly drops during the afternoon.  The heat is intense!
When we arrived on Wednesday, the Malaysian Nationals were being sailed so there was much buzz and activity at the club. Yesterday was very quiet, with only our team and the AUS sailors on the water and around the club. The boats are all brand new, Far East or Extreme, and all measured in OK today.
Our hotel, which is away from the main tourist area of the island, has a very local flavour to it. The hot 10 minute walk to the club is through sleepy back streets of open air 'restaurants', fairly rickety houses and unkept buidings. The air is heavy with wonderful spicey aromas and breath-stopping open sewers!  We've been fairly conservative with the food so far, chosing the safety of the hotel food over the local offerings. KFC is a big sponsor of sailing in Malaysia and this regatta. The kids have mixed feelings about the prospect of KFC & rice for lunch on the water every day!
Last night, we all ventured to Chenang beach -- the main tourist area of Langkawi. It is 'picuture postcard' stunning!  The kids wandered through the shops finding a few treasures while the 'officials' took shelter from the scorching sun under the roof of a beach bar till the sun went down. We all ate at one of the restaurants along the beach.  
Tomorrow there's a practice race scheduled and the opening ceremony. Racing starts on Monday.

Photos from Friday 11th - day 2 on the water and sight seeing!

Photos from Thursday 10th - first day on the water


 Scroll down for the MESSAGE BOARD


The NZIODA Optimist team to compete at the Asian Champs in Langkawi, Malaysia this month, will be warming up in Auckland this weekend at the Sir Peter Blake Regatta. The Asian Champs are being sailed at the venue for next year's Optimist World Champs, from 12 - 20 December.
The team is William Linkhorn, Liam Banks, Markus Somerville, Liam Closey, Michael Hayton, Jamie Middleton and Ellie Copeland. We hope to bring reports and photos to you from Langkawi during the regatta. Good luck everyone!
Regatta website 

Yesterday four races were planned to try and get back on schedule. The sailors took to the course in a steady 10 knot wind for the first race.  Markus had a flier in the first race - finishing 2nd! As the temperature soared (to 42 degrees) the wind eased - to a mere 4 knots. The winner of the first flight managed to get across the finish line against the outgoing tide but many sailors failed to finish within the time limit. The second flight was abandoned and all the sailors were sent ashore. The second flight sailors went back on the water and waited for the breeze to fill in - not starting the race until around 5:30pm. It was a very long and hot day for Liam B, Ellie and William who were all in the second flight.
Tomorrow is a scheduled spare day so we'll all embark on an island adventure!

Saturday 12th December