Rutland Sailing Club Hosts Thrilling Optimist Team Racing Championship 2026: 'Where's Lazlo?' Victorious

The Optimist UK Team Racing Championship 2026 painted an inspiring picture of world-class sailing in action. The event, hosted at Rutland Sailing Club, saw team ‘Where’s Lazlo?’ emerging victorious, with a phenomenal display of teamwork and boating speed. The championship, presided over by Brenda Davies, saw 24 young sailing enthusiasts battling it out on water courses, artfully mapped in a starboard ‘S’ formation.

Underneath an overcast sky and amidst intermittent bouts of rain, the racers were undeterred. Saturday saw the completion of an impressive 36 races, with ‘Where’s Lazlo?’ finishing the day at the top of the leaderboard with an impressive 10 wins. Their only loss was to underdogs ‘Random Pirates’, but this only added to the spiralling excitement. Towards the end of the day, the team, consisting of racers selected to represent GBR at the Optimist World Championship, showcased their class, ending the day on top

In a thrilling finale, the trophy was ultimately claimed by ‘Where’s Lazlo?’. The team showed an impressive ability to recalibrate after their first race loss to ‘A2RT’, winning both the second and third races to claim the championship title.

In addition to the main title, event organiser Stuart Hudson awarded a number of spot prizes to recognise outstanding individual efforts. From demonstrating resilience in the face of adversity to maintaining a perpetual smile through the contest, young sailors were recognised for a host of exceptional qualities.

By the end, ‘Where’s Lazlo?’ stood as the UK National Team Racing Champions. An embodiment of superior team racing and splendid boat speed, they sure are the pride of the sailing community. As they gear up to make a splash at the World Championships in Tangiers, we wish them smooth sailing and gusty winds!