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Nick Thompson talks Optimist Europeans at the RYA Suzuki Dinghy Show

by Karenza Morton 3 Mar 2015 13:43 GMT 28 February 2015
Nick Thompson with a group of Optimist sailors at the RYA Suzuki Dinghy Show © Mark Jardine

It was a case of past meets future as three young Optimist sailors joined British Sailing Team star Nick Thompson to look ahead to the 2015 Optimist European Championships at the RYA Suzuki Dinghy Show on Saturday (28 February).

Florence Brellisford, Sophie Johnson and Gabby Clifton spoke of their excitement of the Europeans coming to Great Britain for the first time ever as Thompson recalled becoming the first Brit to ever win the Optimist European title in 1999.

Around 250 of the World's top young Optimist sailors from over 45 countries will do battle on the waters of Pwllheli from 17-24 July in what will also be the first event staged at the new Plas Heli Welsh Sailing Academy and Events Centre.

Nick said: "I think the Optimists was the class that taught me the most. Every skill I now use in my Olympic sailing I learned from Optimist sailing so it taught me a lot. The Europeans should be good fun and that's really the heart of it."

It was a busy Dinghy Show for the Optimist Europeans as the event unveiled Harken UK as its latest Championship partner joining Olimpic Sails, official event sailmakers, and Pwllheli-based company Jones O Gymru crisps, who will be supplying packed lunches for all teams, volunteers and event staff. Organisers also spent time discussing other exciting potential partnership opportunities with suppliers as momentum ramps up.

To find out how you can get involved in sponsoring the Optimist European Championships contact

For more details about the event visit www.optimisteuros2015.com, like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/optimisteuros2015 or follow us on Twitter @optimisteuros15.

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