Optimistic outlook for sailing club

Optimist and Starling categories.

After a two-year Covid-enforced absence, the Interislander Optimist Challenge and Port Marlborough Starling sailing championships returned to Picton Harbour on February 10-12. However, there were other issues to deal with this year, namely the state of emergency declared as Cyclone Gabrielle ravaged the upper North Island. This prevented some of the top sailors from attending, meaning the Interislander Optimist challenge did not count as one of the two ranking regattas for NZ selection this year.

Despite that, 134 youthful sailors took part in the 13th edition of the previously-annual event which, according to organisers, proved “a great success”.

Held over three days - Friday, Saturday and Sunday – the regatta catered for young sailors in both

It also offered visiting families and supporters “a taste of Marlborough” on Friday evening.

“Overall, it was a great success,” said Queen Charlotte Yacht Club stalwart Christel Hopkins, “it all went really well.

“The winds were a bit light early on but they got up to around 20knots on the final day. The atmosphere was really amazing. It was great catching up once again with friends from all over the country.”

Thirty-four local sailors took the opportunity to compete in a regatta on home water.

Among the top results, Louis Barry won the Optimist Rainbow fleet section, with Dougie Mabey third. In the Optimist Green fleet Hamish Newman finished sec ond and Devon Marshall third.

Christel said the Picton-based club was currently in good heart.

“We have got a lot of up-andcoming sailors, which is really creates a really cool atmosphere and not just for the big regattas. There is a really good vibe here now.”

The surge in numbers has thrilled club members.

“We have put a record number of kids through the Learn to Sail course, run by Kate Overend, and a lot of them are staying [with the sport] … so it has got really good prospects for the club,” said Christel.

“Also, we have a lot more people putting their hands up to help. We used to scramble for volunteers but now there are a lot more parents and families joining in and helping out – which makes it