The Alfred's News The Alfred's News Winter Edition 2018 | Page 12

Centreboard News
Pacific Boating NSW & Open Optimist Class Championship
2018
Event report by Fletcher Walters.
The RPAYC was host to the NSW Optimist States in March and it was a great event. Pittwater turned on a perfect NE sea
breeze day on day one and we had it build from 7 knots to over 20 knots, so there was something for everyone. I finished day
one in second place overall, three or four points behind my RPA mate Daniel Links. We had some great battles all day and the
stage was set for a show down on the final day.
At the event we had around 150 boats competing
and it was great to see so many RPA Opti’s out
and giving it their best. We have some great
sailors coming through the ranks.
Day 2 saw a change of pace as the breeze shifted
offshore and from the NW. It remained light all
day and the key was to stay in the pressure and
keep the option to tack at all times on the beats,
as the shifts were pretty big.
Daniel and I went at it all day and he sailed great
and maintained his points lead by the end of the
day to be the deserving champion. I finished
second and Finley Scade from Georges River SC
was third.
It was great to see lots of our intermediate fleet sailors step up to open fleet for the first time.
A huge big thanks to our Club members who gave up the lower car park for the weekend, so we could host the event.
Without this happening there is no way RPA could host 150 boats. Also, a massive thanks to the volunteers. There were
heaps of them wearing their Pacific Boating shirts around the boat park, so everyone knew what to do all day.
View the full results online here or visit the NSW IODA Website.
My next event will be the New Zealand Nationals. After that I’m hoping to do the North Americans in Mexico and the USA
Nationals before Daniel and I go to the Worlds in Cyprus. I’ll also get my 29er over the next few weeks which I’m totally
pumped about.