Congratulations to Jack Collinson who has made the top 5 and a spot in the New Zealand team to the World Champs in Brazil. Congratulations also to Mahia who has qualified for the North American team.

Open Fleet Results Green Fleet Results

The official 2009 Nationals website can be accessed here http://www.optimistnationals.org.nz for reports, results and pictures. Check it out for full details of the 187 competitors in the Open fleet and 58 in the Green fleet.

Progress Reports

Tuesday 14th April.

Light to medium strength winds for the last day.

Jack Collinson has made the NZ Worlds team by finishing 7th overall and 5th NZer. A great effort for one of the big boys especially in the lighter wind strength races. Mahia held 11th overall,  Ellie was 37th, Markus 47th, Matthew 57th, Jack Simpson 68th, Aaron 107th, Sam 155th, Maddie 158th and Eliza 165th. Chris finished 5th and Guy 49th in the Green Fleet

Monday 13th April.

Back to strong winds again and big seas. Three more races were completed, with a fourth one cancelled due to the average wind speed approaching 30kn with wind against tide kicking up nasty waves. The Singapore team decided to go out for a training session showing us we should have been racing!

Jack Collinson is still the leading Wakatere sailor, having moved up to 5th overall and 4th NZer. Mahia has now moved up to 11th overall (7th NZer) after being able to drop his first days races. Ellie is now 31st, Matthew 53rd, Jack Simpson 63rd,  Markus 66th, Aaron 114th, Sam 145th, Eliza 156th, Maddie 167th. Chris is coming 9th and Guy 47th in the Green Fleet

Sunday 12th April.

Another day of light tricky sailing with only two races completed.

Saturday 11th April.

A further 4 races were held in stronger northerly winds of around 15-20kns. A tough day of racing for the kids but some great downwind rides.

Friday 10th April.

Only two races were held due to the very light southerly winds that settled in around midday. Jack Collinson is leading Wakatere sailor in 12th, Markus was next but lost a 14th after a port starboard protest. Sam Wallis had an amazing first day to be next in 38th, Ellie was 57th, Jack Simpson 59th, Matthew 69th, Mahia 90th, Aaron 152nd, Eliza 162nd, Maddie 163rd. Chris was coming 19th, Guy 33rd in the Green Fleet

Thursday 9th April.

This was the first day to register and get boats through the safety checks. Later in the afternoon came the parade in club groups followed by the welcome and opening ceremony. With no afternoon sun and a cold southerly blowing the parade wasn't much fun so was over with as quickly as possible.

A large number of sailors have arrived and have been practicing since last weekend. Everyone is keen to get on with racing tomorrow. So far the weather has been mostly windy, 20-30kn and big seas, giving the kids some fast and exciting rides downwind along with a few swims.