Kit Guide

IOCA Optimist Winter Champs

This year's Optimist Winter Championships were held at Datchet Water Sailing Club on a very cold and shifty weekend.

On Saturday we had light winds. I had a bad first race, but in the second I came 28th! I was so happy :-D The third and final race of the day on Saturday started well, but I got caught on the wrong side of a wind shift and ended up discarding that race. It wasn't the best start to the event but Sunday would be a new day and I was determined to improve.

We woke to a dark, cold and stormy day but at least I was warm with my full Rooster Racewear on. It felt very windy on the bank, with winds gusting up to 30mph. The launching team had a very interesting time getting me afloat, I was carried by one of the launch assistants into my boat, which was nice but they nearly capsized me before I had even started sailing! I had a much more consistent day coming 28th again in the first and second races. In the final race, after a poor start, I worked hard to pick my way through the fleet finally finishing 34th, with the cold starting to really bite. My final result overall was 74th out of 128 boats. I was really proud of myself for once, as all the training seems to be paying off.

Until next time. Jenna Snedker - Optimist 6164.