Volvo Musto Optimist National Championships at Largs Overall
by Gillian Smith 15 Aug 2009 10:25 BST
7-14 August 2009
Young Scot claims glory in thrilling Volvo Musto Optimist Nationals finale
Callum Airlie is the 2009 Volvo Musto Optimist British Open and National Champion after a thrilling end to the prestigious Championship event in Largs, Scotland.
Placed in third overall – and second Brit - going into the final day of racing on Scotland’s West Coast today (Friday 14 August), the 14-year-old from East Lothian YC toiled in relentless, torrential rain and winds gusting over 20 knots to post regatta-winning scores of second, first and seventh to land the top prize ahead of second-placed Josh Voller (Burghfield SC) and Roger Dorr (USA) in third. Oliver Grogono (St Mawes SC) in fourth overall claimed the Carsue Trophy for finishing third Brit.
It was a topsy-turvy week at the top of the Senior fleet leaderboard, for sailors aged 13 – 15, with Airlie, Dorr and Voller trading places among the top three on a race-by-race basis - at the close of play yesterday just three points separated the trio.
But not even a final race capsize could upset the young Scot’s title charge today as he triumphed in the end by a massive 25 points.
Some of Britain’s most illustrious Olympians have passed through the Optimist class on their way to the biggest prize in World sport including triple Olympic Champion Ben Ainslie, two-time Olympic gold medallists Iain Percy and Sarah Ayton and Andrew Simpson, who claimed Beijing 2008 Star class victory alongside Percy.
After joining the list of high-profile former winners, including Ainslie, double Olympic silver medallist and Team Volvo for Life sailor Nick Rogers and two-time 470 World Champions Nic Asher and Elliot Willis, Airlie said: “I was insanely focused before racing, I didn’t do any of the socialising I normally do and it was probably the most focused I’ve ever been. I was nervous but not so nervous that I was tearing my hair out, I knew what I needed to do and was determined to do it.
“Seeing the names on the trophy just feels awesome and it hasn’t really sunk in that I’ve won it yet. This was the event I was concentrating on this year, so to win it especially in Scotland feels amazing.”
American Megan Grapengeter-Rudnick was the dominant force in the girls’ event all week, and wrapped up victory by finishing eighth overall.
However, there was double celebration for Guernsey YC’s Johanna Asplund, 14, who not only sealed second spot in the overall girls’ fleet but also landed the OCRA Best Girl Trophy for finishing the top British girl after an impressive week on the Firth of Clyde.
Hayling Island’s Megan Brickwood, also 14, pushed Asplund all the way for the British girls’ crown before taking the Brading Trophy for finishing second British girl while Cardiff Bay YC’s Sara Doust claimed third.
A final day hat-trick of third places propelled Ireland’s Cian Byrne to the top Ranson Trophy prize in the Junior fleet, for sailors aged eight – 12, with Jack Johansson (USA) second.
Meanwhile in claiming third overall in the Juniors young St Mawes SC sailor Freddie Grogono ensured there was double celebration for the Grogono family by taking the Optimist Junior National Champion Trophy. South Staffordshire Sailing Club’s Sarah Norbury, 12, claimed the Best British Junior Girl Trophy.
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.
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.
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).
For full results visit www.optimistsailing.org.uk