US leads Optimist fleet

The UK Volvo Musto Optimist National Championships continue in Weymouth

The American youngsters at the Volvo Musto Optimist National Championships are topping the results board in both the senior and junior fleets. The 109 sailors in the regatta fleet have also been racing the past two days, managing to fit in six races as well as training to perfect their sailing skills.

Sarah Williams (13) from America is currently leading the senior fleet and is the only girl in the top ten, with a first and second place today to add to her second and sixth of yesterday. Spanish sailor Eric Plancon (14) is a mere four points behind her with 15 points overall, followed by the first British sailor Ben Harden (14). Plancon was very happy with his performance today, “I had a great time out there and love sailing here in the UK. It’s great fun!”

Irish sailor Alexander Rumball (13) moved up from eighth on the first day to fourth after the two races of the day, with Danish, Laerke Lokdam (14) also moving up from sixth to fifth.

Hunter Johnson (12) from New York Yacht Club leads the junior fleet, five points ahead of his nearest rival Dutch sailor, Niels Broekhuizen (12). The young American enjoys the conditions out on Weymouth Bay, with the 15 knots of breeze being similar to the conditions he races in at home. Third place was won by Nik Froud (12) from the United Emirates Team with a fourth and a second pushing him up the leader board.

First Brit in the junior fleet is Jamie Diamond (12) from Hampshire, he found the wind out on the course perfect again today for Optimist racing. “It was an awesome day on the water. I love sailing against the foreign sailors as they are very competitive and push the rest of us.”

The regatta fleet, which are all learning to race competitively, had a great day out on the water. It started with games and coaching at the Weymouth and Portland National Sailing Academy, before heading out for their three races. Benjamin Waha (11) is in first place, with Joseph Burns (10) in second, only one point behind. Norfolk’s Jo Girling (11) has done very well today moving up from tenth position to third.

“It was an enjoyable day on the water, we had clear skies, sun and a brilliant sea breeze. After a few false starts by the fleets, we managed to complete two very competitive races, with the positions changing continuously in each fleet. The points are so close at the top of the leader board tomorrow’s racing could be very interesting,” said Nigel Alderton, the Event Safety Co-ordinator.