AIODA Optimist Open and Australian Championship 2012

Team Manager’s Report - AIODA Optimist Open and Australian Championship 2012

The AIODA Optimist Open and Australian Championship for 2012 was held at Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron, Manly, Qld from 14-21 January. There were a total of 165 sailors with competitors from Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong and French Polynesia (Saint Paul).

A team of 13 sailors from WA travelled to Qld for the event: 10 from Gold Fleet (Open) and 3 from Green Fleet (Silver) representing several WA Clubs (SoPYC, FSC and RFBYC).

RQYS had organised a pre-Nationals training clinic over two days which was well attended by our WA sailors and allowed them to adjust to the local conditions.

There were 118 sailors in the Open Fleet and the NoR outlined that 15 races were scheduled over the 5 days (which included one lay day). The weather for the first few days was wet and windy with strong wind warning from BOM which resulted in only one race being completed on Day 1 and for the organisers (and concerned parents) wondering if the minimum races required would be reached.

Day 2 saw BOM post a gale warning which resulted in all racing being abandoned and the day being treated as the scheduled lay day. This announcement was followed by the belated Day 1 spot prizes being handed out - much to the delight of all sailors. Many sailors (and a few coaches) then went out and treated themselves to a day at the movies! Better sailing conditions were forecast for the next three days (fingers crossed).

Day 3 saw better weather, although very light winds in the morning with stronger winds later in the afternoon. The course was shortened and five races were completed with the realisation that maybe 12 races might still be possible. Our WA sailors had mixed results. Two stood out – Sarah Kirke (best result a 1st and a 4th) and Elliot Young (best result 6th and an 8th).

Stronger winds for the last two races for the day saw the more experienced sailors in their element achieving more pleasing results (the smiles stood out as they came ashore). Training in similar conditions back home was paying off.

Day 4 saw another 4 races completed in a day when the weather became windier and windier – the casualties were several broken ratchet blocks. However, Alistair Young stood out of the pack with two 1st , a 4th and 7th (not to mention a BFD) and Richard Maher whose best result that day was a 4th and a 5th. Jayden Dalton also achieved his best result in the regatta with an 8th.

By Day 5 (Friday), the wind was still strong. Four races were completed which gave us a total of 15 races for the regatta. Another great day for Alistair Young with four straight wins. Richard Maher and Annabelle Davies also did well.

The final results saw Australia and New Zealand dominate the top places.

Open top 3 place results: 1st Jack Graves (Vic); 2nd Alistair Gifford (NZ) and 3rd Lola Stoodley (NZ)

Australian Champion results: 1st Jack Graves (Vic); 2nd Alistair Young (WA); 3rd Jim Colley (NSW).

Australian Best Girl in the Open Fleet went to Jaime Swavley (NSW), with our own Annabelle Davies (2nd) and Sarah Kirke (3rd).

WA also cleaned up in the Teams Racing winning all races in the heats to meet Victoria in the finals, which they won. Well done to the WA Teams Racing Team of Alistair Young, Richard Maher, Annabelle Davies and Elliot Young. A pleasing result for coach Mike Davies.

Our second WA Teams Racing Team were disadvantaged by a wrong call by the jury boat, who later apologised but they were still knocked out of the competition. A tough call for for these upcoming teams racing sailors - Ben Walsh, Zac Littlewood, Jayden Dalton, and Shannon Dalton.  Your day will come.

The WA Green Fleet consisted of 47 sailors with 3 sailors from WA - Shannon Dalton (SoPYC), Ezra Kaye (FSC), and Mack Young (FSC – who is the youngest in the Young family and the WA team).

This fleet was also affected by the weather with eight races being held over only two days of suitable conditions. Well done to Shannon and Ezra who took out 1st and 2nd place respectfully. A big congratulations to Mack Young who celebrated his 7th Birthday during the regatta and very proudly announced that he had completed all 5 races that day.

The rankings from the Nationals is also used to select the top 25 Australian sailors to form part of the Australian Optimist Sailing Team (AOST). These sailors are selected to represent Australia at international regattas with the top five being selected for the Optimist World’s which will be held in the Dominican Republic in July 2012. Our WA sailors did very well with six sailors making the top 25 this year. Congratulations go to Alistair Young (2nd and World’s selection), Richard Maher (8th), Annabelle Davies (16th), Sarah Kirke (17th), Elliot Young (20th) and Ben Walsh (24th).

On behalf of the WA team and parents I would like to thank our three coaches, Mike Davies (Gold Fleet), Mark Whittington (Gold Fleet) and Paul Green (Green Fleet) for doing such a fine job and sometimes in very trying conditions.

I would also like to thank Casey Walsh for stepping up and offering her Racing Officer services to RQYS who were left short of volunteers due to moving the lay-day and Anne Littlewood for volunteering to do Support Boat duty (at Marker 1) which she appeared to thoroughly look forward to each morning (and had some very funny tales to tell over dinner each night!).

A big thank you to the parents and grandparents who decided to take their optimist sailor/s to the Nationals this year – it is a big commitment which requires full family support. I hope you and your sailor have enjoyed the experience.

Once again, congratulations to all our WA sailors. There were many reports of our sailors encouraging their fellow WA sailors to do well out on the water and following the rules of sailing (and doing their penalties in a timely manner). Your behaviour on and off the course did us proud.

For those of you staying in the Optimist Class I look forward to seeing you at Sandy Bay Sailing Club in Hobart next year. For those who are moving on, good luck in your selected classes.

Best Wishes,

Melinda Davies

WAIODA President and 2012 Nationals Team Manager 26th January 2012