OPTIMIST STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

FREMANTLE 2022

THE WAIODA 2022 OPTIMIST STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS was recently hosted by Fremantle Sailing Club (FSC) over three days from the 7th to the 9th of January. From a total of 30 entries across the Open, Intermediate and Green Fleets, RFBYC had 22 competitors representing the Club with an even split of boys and girls.

The conditions provided great racing dominated by seabreezes in the range of 10 to 20+ knots which at times tested heavy weather boat handling skills, especially when mixed with the ocean swells. It was great to see everyone enjoy a fantastic three days of sailing and for some a great first experience sailing on the open waters outside of the river.

On the final day the competitors enjoyed catching up at the main clubhouse for the presentations where RFBYC was well represented on the podium. In the Open fleet Murray Duthie won five of eleven races in taking out top spot from second placed Jasper Stay. Bindy Vitales-Jones came in third place overall as well as accepting the trophy for first female sailor with Isla Molyneux taking second placed female sailor.

At the start of the last race the top three Intermediate Fleet boats were on even points and by the end racing, one point separated first and second places. Congratulations to Orlando Ligovich who finished the Intermediate Fleet in first place and to Nicholas Gillham who came a close second place. For the Intermediate Fleet, Juliette Van der Hoek was the second placed female sailor.

In Green Fleet, Stephanie Nelson finished first from Olive Hooper in second place, with Caroline Hoffman and Harry Cooper also representing RFBYC.

Congratulations to all sailors who took part and a big thank you to FSC, the Race Committee and the volunteers, both on and off the water, who made this a very successful regatta. Thanks also to all the fantastic coaches who provided their knowledge and support and made the event fun for all the sailors. For the full results plus lots of great photos and videos from the event, see the WAIODA Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/pg/ waiodasailing/posts/

above left: 2nd place Girl Intermediate Fleet – Juliette Van der Hoek above middle:1st place Intermediate Fleet – Orlando Ligovich above right: 2nd place Intermediate Fleet – Nicholas Gillham bottom left: 2nd Girl Open Fleet – Isla Molyneux bottom right: Charlie Stay accepting Jasper Stay’s second place in Open Fleet 15