Over the long weekend, the Optimist State Titles were held at Sandringham Yacht Club. The three day event had challenging conditions with wind strength and heat. It was great to see sailors representing four states across Australia.
On day one, Green fleet didn’t get on the water, but still managed to get in 9 races over the remaining two days. Atticus Healy, who sailed his first boat for the first time at this event, was sailing with mates Oscar Kirby and Charlie McLaren, who placed first and second male overall.
In Intermediate fleet, day one was also too windy, but sailors packed in seven races in varied conditions. Tate Cantwell sailed an epic last race and placed first under 11 year old at the event. Tate was just ahead of Tyler Deeth who sailed a consistent regatta and placed 5th overall and 3rd male. Charlie Kelley sailed his second regatta out of Sorrento and sailed out of his skin. He placed 2nd overall by 1 point and first Victorian.
In Open fleet, they had racing over the three days and completed 9 races. There were a number of standout performances. Tom Bonnett who sailed in last year’s Green fleet, Lilly Cantwell placed 1st under 11 year old female and port tacked the fleet more times than we had a hot dinner. Up the pointy end of the fleet, Acklin Stent sailed his best regatta yet, Lottie Griffth sailed a great regatta and finished her Opti career on a high, being crowned the female Victorian Champion. Augustus Buividas was crowned the overall winner and State Champion for the second year in a row and put on a dominant display with eight firsts and a second.
All of the sailors listed below are active sailors who train at Sorrento and other clubs and through VIODA, and are coached at events by our fantastic team: Head Coach Jack Lewis and Peter McCann. When we run training at Sorrento on Sundays, Angleique Gleeson and Grace Cockman are regulars too. This event is quite significant for Optimist sailors as it is often the final event and we wish Lottie, Leigh, and Maya best of luck in the next boat. Lastly, I would like to commend all the parents who invest time into their sailors and I would especially like to thank all those who serve on committees that make these events happen.
Results
Green Fleet
2nd Charlie Mclaren (1st Male)
3rd Oscar Kirby (2nd Male)
4th Atticus Healy (3rd Male)
Intermediate
2nd Charles Kelley (2nd Male)
5th Tyler Deeth (3rd Male)
6th Fred Cantwell (1st under 11 male)
Open
1st Augustus Buividas (1st Vic, 1st male)
3rd Lottie Griffith (2nd Vic, 1st female)
4th Acklin Stent (3rd Vic 2nd male)
7th Ashlea Tan (2nd female)
9th Leigh Harvey (3rd male)
11th Tate Cantwell
12th Frances Gibson (3rd female)
18th Lily Cantwell (1st under 11 Female)
23rd Tom Bonnett
