Optimist open meeting at Warsash Sailing Club

The main fleet return home, tired but happy after the Optimist open meeting at Warsash © Roger Cerrato

On Sunday the 7th of July 88 keen Optimist sailors from the 93 entered arrived at Warsash SC with their fingers crossed for some wind. After spending the previous afternoon worried about keeping the children suitably hydrated in 28 degrees C the worries of the organisers soon turned to "will there be enough wind to sail against the tide....".

Main Fleet PRO Peter Knight elected to launch on time at 1030am and the 43 strong Main fleet headed out towards the Solent under tow. At 11am the 24 boats in Regatta Fleet launched and headed out to Cat Head bay where Nigel Russell and his team were laying a course just out of the shipping channel.

The breeze initially proved tricky on both courses with 8 knots interspersed with numerous flat spots. Eventually the breeze built up enabling three races to be completed on the Main fleet course whilst the Regatta fleet had five.

Meanwhile once the flooding tide had filled Kipper Pond adjacent to Warsash SC's main clubhouse Kyle Wood led out the Coached Regatta fleet of 21 boats. For many of the young sailors of 7 and upwards this was their first taste of an open meeting and with the breeze quickly building it was a baptism of fire for some!

We were lucky enough to have two fantastic ex-Optimist sailors helping out as coaches with this fleet: thanks to Amy Smith and Mathias Potter.

Evie Cumming port tacks the Regatta fleet in the Optimist open meeting at Warsash - photo © Roger Cerrato

All boats we're back ashore by 4:30pm for delicious cakes baked by the WSC Kipper mums. Competitors and club members alike then enjoyed one of Warsash's famous "Sausage Sizzles" before the prize-giving.

Prizes were handed out by WSC Commodore Trevor Bryant and David Witt skipper of the 100ft super maxi SHK Scallywag fresh from their victory in the recent Transatlantic Race.

Well done to winners in all three classes.

Thanks to Lewmar for supplying the prizes including some fantastic bespoke glass plaques. Thanks also to Ballistic RIBs for loaning a brand new 5.5m rib to support the Regatta fleet.

Alex Saunders wins the Coached Regatta fleet in the Optimist open meeting at Warsash - photo © Roger Cerrato

Main Fleet Results:

Regatta Fleet Results:

Coached Regatta Fleet Results:

Coached Regatta fleet fun in Kipper Pond during the Optimist open meeting at Warsash - photo © Roger Cerrato