Optimist Open at Island Barn Reservoir Sailing Club
by Chris Balding 30 Jul 2021 11:13 UTC
24 July 2021
Island Barn Reservoir Optimist Open © Gavin Hayhurst
Island Barn hosted its first Optimist Open in recent years. 16 boats took part across the Championship fleet and Coached Regatta fleet. There were a total of six races with a break in the middle for some lunch and a debrief for the Regatta fleet.
The top three boats in each fleet received Rooster Sailing vouchers.
Toby Vincent (6019 - Newhaven and Seaford SC) led the first two laps of Race 1 but got caught on the last lap by Jo Wimpory (6456 - Bewl and HISC) who was closely followed by Theo Smith (6575 - South Staffs SC) and Ewan Hamilton (6231 - Newhaven and Seaford SC).
Wimpory led Race 2 from the start with Hamilton in 2nd place who held those positions until the end. 3rd and 4th place was contested between Harry Whelan (6449 - NSSC) and Smith.
Some line shyness in Race 3 but again Wimpory led out from the front. And then a battle for 2nd, 3rd and 4th between Hamilton, Smith and Vincent.
Conditions for the afternoon were quite different with a lighter and shiftier breeze. At one point it was possible to lay the windward mark from the pin end of the line.
Wimpory read this very well. However, there were some significant changes in position as the shifts came through the fleet.
Smith got in front of Wimpory to win race 5 which was the only time Wimpory did not win a race all day.
Wimpory's almost picket-fence results saw him a clear overall winner with Smith in 2nd place and Vincent in 3rd.
In the Regatta fleet Edward Taylor (5664 - IBRSC) showed his speed and local knowledge to win all but the last race which was won by Oscar Smith (5843 - South Staffs SC).
Jessica I-am-only-doing-3-races Todd (5330 - IBRSC) led the last race for a whole lap only to hit the mark and open the door for Smith and Taylor.
Todd finished in 3rd overall with some stand out performances from Dylan Boynton Lavelle (4057 - IBRSC) who finished 4th with Matthew Wimpory (6259 - Bewl and HISC) in 5th.
Many thanks to all the competitors, their support crew and IBRSC for hosting a great event. We look forward to more in future.