More than 350 sailors from as far afield as the USA, the United Arab Emirates and Zimbabwe descended on Largs for what was the 48th Optimist British Open National Championships.
Torrential rain and gusts of 20 knots were the order of the last day in Largs for the Optimist Nationals. Behind by 9 points with the advantage of Freddie Grogono having scored a bad result as discard Matthew Whitfield knew he had a lot left to do at the end of a light and predominantly shifty week of sailing between Cumbrae and Largs. A consistent series against a large number of foreign teams and breeze forecast young Matthew from Penarth finally found the extra pace scoring two bullets on the final day to go into the final race equal on points. Alas not to be, as the battle for the championship ensued. It was not to be, for the second year as Matthew had to settle for 2nd to the Grogono Brothers.
For the Welsh, a strong performance from all the squad, with Toby Morsley, 7th in the senior fleet and 5th British sailor with David Pain finding form in the breeze to finish just behind in 10th. For the Welsh National and Regional contingent 2009 2010 GBR national and intermediate squad places are now in the grasp of many with 18 Welsh sailors currently ranked in the top 100 of the UK ranking. (Must be a record for Wales!?)
As well as the main Senior and Junior fleets, around 100 of those sailors competed as part of the Regatta fleet for the youngest sailors just learning the racing ropes who enjoyed a week of racing and coaching and some serious fun, and spent a day sailing and singing with Olympic Hero Ben Ainsley not forgetting Optimist 1940’s legend Herbie!
This is the ninth year Volvo and Musto have jointly sponsored the Optimist Sailing Class in the UK and includes support for three major annual championships: The Volvo Musto Inland Championships (16-17 May 2009), the Volvo Musto National Championships (7-14 August) and the Volvo Musto End of Season Championships (10-11 October).
Full results http://www.optimistsailing.org.uk/new/home.htm