Some of the Wakatere Optimist sailors have been getting involved in the Louis Vuitton events in Auckland this month.

Taking the opportunity to get up close to the big boats Jack S & Mahia (training with NZSA) and Matthew, Ellie and Logan (training with Wakatere Advanced group coached by Logan in a borrowed Opti) nearly got run over by Alinghi who dived into the spectator boats trying to shake off Prada.

If you saw the news coverage on TV 1, you'd have seen five optimists frantically getting out of the way! You can see it at the following link as well Optis Chased by Alinghi

Jack S racing the Amercia's Cup boats "If I tack now I think I can cross them"

Other Wakatere Opti sailors have had a chance to race in the Junior Pacific regatta in the Viaduct harbour. Wakatere's 2007 World Opti champ Chris Steele was also in action, showing the younger ones a thing or two.

Charles Michel, Felix Capon and Chris Coleman

Chris won all 6 races in the 2 day heats. Another lot of heats follow for another group on Tuesday &  Wednesday. The final 10 from each heat meet next weekend. Fantastic viewing from the Team NZ base (open to the public). Spectacular capsizes, glances off super yachts and great speed as a few sailors were left behing as their boats took off without them and just great to see Chris Steele do his stuff at such close range.