Young Sailors Brave Winter Conditions at IOCA Optimist Championships in Rutland

Overcoming the bracing chill of British winter, 128 young sailors gathered at Rutland Sailing Club for the IOCA Optimist Winter Championships. Despite the weather playing spoilsport, their tenacity and passion for sailing were anything but dampened. With winds between 10-15knots, the competitive sailors embarked onto the water, ready for an exciting weekend of ‘snakes and ladders’ racing.

A fleet of 93 boats made up the Main Fleet, with the racing committee headed by Nigel Biggs. Laszlo Drummond stood out on the first day with three 1st place finishes. The competition grew intense on the second day as racers struggled for dominance on the leaderboard. Jonny Rogers edged out Laszlo Drummond by 2 points to take the first overall spot, while Sean Di Salle secured the third. In separate categories, Lizzie Hudson was the top girl, Archie Dowling took the under-10, and Theo Fox the under-11 spots.

The smallest fleet, the Coached Regatta, comprised four enthusiastic sailors, combining training and racing. Coached by Lola Andrews, their determination was notable. Running on ‘hot chocolate power’, they persevered on the water even as the other fleets retired, keen on improving their racing skills. Fletch Sheely won this category, followed by William Zhang, Zoe Grundy and Amina Melhem.

Hats off to Rutland Sailing Club for providing excellent facilities and superb race management, ensuring fun and competitive races despite the wet weather. Contributions from parents, sailors, and the organising committee truly made this event a success. This competition serves as a testament to the resilience, dedication, and pure love for sailing embedded in each competitor.