Optimist Dinghy Sailing in South Africa

Philip Bendon in Palamos

Philip Bendon of Knysna participated in an international coaching clinic plus a big regatta in Palamos last week. He finished 97th in a fleet of 240 Opis! Well done Philip and welcome back home.

Event website/results: http://www.cvpalamos.org/regatas/kabb/index.html

Eero

Incentives for youngest sailors

After attending (as the driver...) several junior regattas around the country during the last couple of years I would like to make a point about our results and prizes.

In the Optimist Nationals we have three fleets (age categories) and separate trophies for each, also one for best under 12yrs. We give a trophy to the best girl, best first timer and best wooden boat (a rapidly disappearing category - perhaps need to be revised to "best non-IOD95 hull"...?). But in our points series and club races we pretty much put our hands together for the same guys time after time. These topnotches certainly deserve it, but what about the little champs who have given their heart and soul just to get around the course and the younger ones who are the best in their age category and the best girls??? Shouldn't we lift these guys above everybody else to encourage more new kids to join the fun?

I believe the people organising the regattas would happily sacrifice their bottle of wine (transferred into junior prizes) to see the numbers of participants doubling. This (different categories within Optimist class, based on age and gender rather than A and B fleet) is a standard procedure in a lot of other countries, in Finland they run two results lists (also a combined) in every regatta, one for 8-12yrs and the other for 13-15. Best girl gets a prize in every event and a special "Fighter's trophy" is also a very common thing (someone with the outstanding fighting spirit and attitude / heroic performance or something similar). In bigger regattas a "daily firsts ceremony" on each day gives another additional opportunity to reward the most outstanding performances of each day, a Bar One or an event sponsor's cap can mean a lot when the timing is right...

For example last weekend's WC Interschools event was one of the weekends where the young and eager should have been rewarded for just being there. Instead only the (same old...) winners were called to the podium while the little ones were wondering if they ever make it that far. The attendance and energy levels were high and promising, such is the interest towards our novice courses directed to the primary schools...

Let's work towards 200 Optimist sailors on the start line in Youth Nationals 2008!

Hike hard and never give up!

Eero

Feedback and future plans (a strictly personal view!)

Hi All,

It was an informative and constructive Saturday at ZVYC, with 16 sailors and lots of parents, coaches and other interested people attending.

Worlds feedback as I read it brings up a few issues that we should learn from and that we should pay attention to:

Focus and attitude: to break into the top100 we must maintain peak mental fitness and we need to be hungry for doing well, it seems to be that many of our sailors are satisfied by just getting there? This is a coaching and goal setting issue, a whole mindset change might be needed to bring our results onto a new level, I believe we can do better than we "normally" do. It's about how much the SAILORS want it.
We know the regatta is a mind-blowing experience, in S. America days were too long and things weren't as smooth as we would like them to be - but it's the same for all.
Do we need to learn from Izivunguvungu sailors, who actually want to make things happen even if they don't have the perfect set-up for every regatta. They travel thousands of kilometres in a hot back of a bakkie, they help each other to get their boats to the events, onto the trailer and off again. They don't have tens of mommies and daddies running around them, they don't have an unlimited account at Central Boating or North Sails. They have the passion and the will and that takes them a long way. My crystal ball tells me that within a few years these guys will dominate the dinghy racing results in RSA.
Age issue and team dynamics. IODA has now set a minimum age for the Worlds (the sailor must turn 12 during the year of the event). This is a tricky one as kids grow and mature with such different pace. A light weight kid who sails full years in Optimists should not be sent to the Worlds as first international experience in the age of 11. At the same time another child might miss his/her golden moment if held back since the growing process goes on and a year might mean big changes on board... For the team dynamics and the management and coach of the team a more evenly aged team is probably easier to handle. A team that trains together with the Worlds coach as much as possible will generate a stronger and more unite team spirit, which will lift all individuals to reach their personal peaks at the right moment. Despite of being mostly an individual sport, a strong team will mean a lot when we are away from home. The Singaporeans always talk about TEAM and what a team they were - Team racing world champions and all five sailors within top15!
Coach - Ideally we would like to see a neutral (not a parent) coaching the Worlds team. A youngish) top sailor, who is mature and experienced enough to be the sportive leader of the team. I think they listen better and take more on board from a younger person than one of us old .....? But surely there will be other issues like the commitment level, time input, money needed etc We would ideally send a team manager who can be an assistant coach and knows the kids well, a country rep to sort out the IODA admin. and meetings.
I think the team would need to spend some time together as a social unit before travelling. Long weekend camps away from home, training clinics, perhaps some other activities including staying away from home for a couple of days. I know, time is limited, but it would be beneficial to work on the dynamics of the team along the way.
International experience and exposure, we would need to create relationships to other nations and teams, participate in training clinics and/or try to bring them here. The other kids are no superhumans, but they are used to socialize with and sail against the world's top sailors in the same way we do within our clubs and provinces. Yes, always the $$$$$ thing spoiling great plans and ideas! But let's be creative.

The feedback from the water (Pete):

Hiking, the effort and the technique were a huge issue, the lightweight guys who hike like demons have an advantage on their side, we are generally too lazy and passive on our boats.
Getting the first row start and maintaining the position for the first couple of minutes into the race are absolutely crucial, we slip too easily back and the fight back is a mountain to climb.
Communication with the coach - we must get used to communicate, before and after racing, on water and on land. We need the kids to get into the routine of getting and giving feedback, for their own benefit. We must have a dedicated coach boat on the water for all bigger events. How great would it be to have video footage to go through after each day of sailing, it's fun and it works. No illusions and golden memory stories.
The never give up attitude. The world championship was decided in the last race, on the last beat, in the last tacks. The new title holder came from far behind after a disastrous start to knock off the regatta leader in the last possible moment. If we could get even 50% of Julian Autenrieth's will to win, we would make small miracles on the water!

I think this will soon be called a book rather than an email, I let you go and think about these things, hopefully I will see some response here soon. I feel a bit lonely.

Sail safe and fast!

Eero

Busy Zeekoevlei

Hi All Optimists!

Less than two months until the Selections in Mykonos. While Alison and team are up and running for the arrangements on shore, the WC sailors are busy training on their favourite piece of (smelly) water! Coaches (Pete, Graham, Roger, Eero) are leading a great number of keen sailors through training sessions and white sails are seen on the Vlei practically every day of the week. This Saturday team coach Pete and manager Alison are passing on the experience from the Worlds and next week we will be able to do the same on the website for the ones who cannot attend. But one thing that we already have figured out is this: HIKING!! We tend to not hike nearly hard enough and on the runs we take a break! That is NOT FAST!

So, get to your boats, lengthen those straps and get your bottoms right out of the boat. To be able to hike hard on a long course and in several races a day for 6 days of racing, you need to be FIT and you must get used to the PAIN. Otherwise, ciaociao Sardinia or at least no top100''s while in Sardinia!

Another thing that I want to pass on to all our Optimists is the general set-up of your boats. Still far too many A-fleet sailors are not doing a proper job before going out. Sailties are coming off, sail is not properly set and tuned for the day''s wind, lines are chafing through, fittings are coming off, extension tillers are failing during the racing. Sailing is an equipment sport and that means (except needing to be friendly with mommies and daddies) that we have to know how to use those equipment and we must look after it. And we need spares and tools to follow us where ever we travel. A wrongly set sail, a gear failure or a penalty for failing the check at sea in Selections can and will cost you the trip overseas. We saw several cases at last Selections and again in the Nationals. Do not give the points away for free!

Now you have 8 weeks to pump up those sixpacks and leg muscles of yours while taking a good look at your equipment and reading the "how to tune up your rig & sail" -guides.

The first race of the Selections is eight weeks away but the race has already started. Don''t miss the boat!

Happy Sailing!

Eero

Optimist.co.za: Hermanus Points Series

Hermanus Points regatta was a great success what comes to sailing conditions and great relaxed atmosphere on shore. HYC looked after all sailors and hangarounds in great style, sailing on the water went on smothly and services on land were fantastic. We all found a piece of level enough land to put up the tents and enjoyed fires and good food in the evening.

The optimist fleet saw nearly 30 A-fleet sailors and an encouraging B-fleet as well. Saturday was a rather windy session and some of the younger and less experienced kids were battling to survive. Brevan Thompson dominated the A-fleet and sailed away from the fleet in both races. Another sailor fresh from the Worlds in Uruguay, Michael Crosland, also showed incredible speed as he capsized at the gybe mark but managed to fight back to a second in the same race! Sunday''s three races did a bit of a reshuffle to the fleet as wind was much lighter and the heavy sailors lost their advantage. Brevan also proved to be mortal and was beaten in two of the three races on the final day. Michael Crosland won one of the races as Tim Manley, Alex Lehtinen, Josh Rubenstein, Josh Stubbs, Alex Burger and Ashwin Daniels were also showing good pace. The last race of the regatta was won by Josh Rubenstein followed by Constantia Waldorf School class mate Alex Lehtinen.

TOP 5:
1. Brevan Thompson, ZVYC
2. Michael Crosland, ZVYC
3. Tim Manley, ZVYC
4. Alex Lehtinen, ZVYC
5. Josh Rubenstein, ZVYC

Eero Lehtinen, ZVYC

Optimist.co.za: Worlds Championships FINAL Report

The final day of the championship was nail-biting! Race 15a was completed by 12h30 in shifting winds but several attempts to sail the other four divisions were abandoned as the Race Committee and sailors waited in 32� heat for the huge swings to give way to the incoming northerly. Eventually the last divisions sailed in a fresh breeze, and all divisions completed race 15.

By chance Julian was in the same start as the overnight leader Griselda Khng (SIN). His target was to finish in the top nine and two points ahead of his rival. This he did with very little to spare and emerged as champion by just two points. Julian Autenrieth from the Bayerischer Y.C., Germany is the 2006 IODA World Champion. The Latin American sentiment was consoled by the well-deserved bronze taken by Edgar Diminich of Ecuador who, at 55kg, contradicted the idea that this was a regatta for lightweights.

Champions of girls' sailing may regret that we do not have a female champion to follow Tina Lutz's 2005 win but it is notable that 7 of the top 21 sailors were female.

Also of note was that all of the Singapore team was in the top 15!

Top 15 results:

1. GER11861 - Julian Autenrieth
2. SIN33 - Griselda Khng
3. ECU136 - Edgar Diminich
4. PER284 - Stephanie Zimmermann
5. MAS81 - Rufina Tan Hong Mui
6. NZL4216 - Marcus Hansen
7. ECU118 - Jonathan Martinetti
8. CHI284 - Benjamin Grez
9. ITA6784 - Leonardo Dubbini
10. SIN55 - Russell Kan
11. BRA3036 - Diego Montautti
12. SIN11 - Sean Lee
13. SIN22 - Rachel Lee
14. JPN1145 - Haruka Komiya
15. SIN77 - Timothy Seet

FINAL RSA Results:

Name R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8 R9 R10 R11 R12 R13 R14 R15 Final

Brevan Thompson 68 (75) 13 14 39 58 (OCS) 6 62 40 47 32 55 27 31 141

Michael Crosland 28 47 46 47 32 40 22 51 52 20 35 (62) 41 (63) 47 150

Matthew Shaw 57 (72) 21 37 32 52 (OCS) 41 41 37 65 46 48 66 35 173

Scott Stephens 58 (68) 38 56 40 48 45 21 46 52 55 66 55 (68) (OCS) 190

Alex Lehtinen 64 (70) 64 58 59 68 (OCS) 45 67 69 52 38 49 68 35 208

Boats were packed up and handed in and we all made our way to the Radisson, where a wonderful closing ceremony took place in the Ballroom. The South African Ambassador, Ben Joubert and his wife also attended the ceremony. The African cup went to Ahmed Ragab (position 131), and Ahmed had become a firm friend of the South African team � we were thrilled for him.

After lots of swapping of gear and many goodbyes and swapping of emails, and promises to write, we proceeded to bed (or at least to try and get some sleep as we had an early start). The hotel proceeded to rock throughout the night.

We set off to Buenos Aires the next day and arrived home safely on the 11th of January.

A final few words. Firstly, thank you to those of you who sent us mail, faxes and sms�s. When you are so far from home it was great to receive support and well wishes during this very tough and competitive regatta. A special mention to Roger Bryant and his wife who welcomed as back at Cape Town International. We really appreciate the time and trouble that you took to greet us. Thank you too to Alan Straton who has unfailingly downloaded my reports and photographs.

Next, thank you to my traveling team mates viz.
* Pete Shaw - our wonderful and dedicated coach, who never gave up
* Sally Shaw, Lynne Crosland & Andrew Thompson � who were always there at every turn to lend a helping hand. You made it all go smoothly.

Thank you to all our sponsors back home

Lastly, results were not as we would have wished, and it is my personal belief that exposure to more international competitions and international coaching will improve our position on the International scene. Our last involvement in an international competition at Worlds level was 18 months ago, whereas a lot of the other top sailors have been attending the Continental championships as well has other top regattas (it came as a surprise to me that IODA and the sailors� local sailing bodies sanctioned attendance of their top Worlds� sailors at Continentals as well as the Worlds event -in some cases, a number of the IODA Continentals were attended prior to Worlds i.e. North & South Americans & then Worlds). What is exciting for us that the next Worlds are in 6 months time. Good luck to all of you RSA sailors in the Selections process. Also what is of note is that for some of the top teams, there is heavy Government support and sponsorship.

The Optimist Worlds Champ is a highly competitive and intense regatta well attended by 50 countries. As South Africans we had the ability to hang in there till the very end and to vasbyt! Well done RSA sailors, you did us proud.

From the 2006 RSA Oppie Worlds Team in Montevideo: Alex Lehtinen RSA1327, Brevan Thompson RSA 1370, Matthew Shaw RSA 1369, Michael Crosland RSA 1368, Scott Stephens RSA 1339, Pete Shaw � coach & Alison Thompson - manager, Contact details: secretary@optimist.co.za

Worlds website: www.optimistworlds.org.uy

Report by Alison Thompson

Optimist Worlds Photographs

Optimist.co.za: Worlds Championships Report No. 7

07/01/2007 (Racing day 6)

The penultimate race day dawned! The team was fired up and ready to go. Launching was at 10am and the breeze started off at about 6 knots NE, swung around NNE, and ended up at about 15 knots SE at the end of the day. However, the current became progressively stronger, and when it reached 3 knots the sailors couldn�t get around the gybe mark without tacking. The third flight of race 2 was abandoned as the sailors couldn�t get to the top mark in time as the current was so strong. In the last race the current swept the sailors down the start. Despite all this, 3 races (with three flights per race were completed)

The boys came off the water and were treated to South American Samba dancing & drumming whilst eating dinner. Imagine the size of their eyes (and all the dads!) when a scantily clad, (g-string & bra) beautiful South American dancer gyrated before their dinner plates. See photos for more details. Early as possible to bed �. And 1 MORE RACE TO GO!

Top Ten Results after 14 races

1. Singapore � Griselda Khng
2. Germany -Julian Autenreich
3. Ecuador � Edgar Diminich
4. Peru � Stephanie Zimmerman
5. Malaysia � Rufina Tan Hong Mui
6. Ecuador � Jonathan Martinetti
7. New Zealand � Marcus Hansen
8. China � Benjamin Grez
9. Singapore � Russell Kan
10. Singapore � Sean Lee

RSA Results after 14 races

Name R1 R2 R3 R4 R5 R6 R7 R8 R9 R10 R11 R12 R13 R14 Overall

Michael Crosland 28 47 46 47 32 40 22 51 52 20 35 (62) 41 (63) 145

Brevan Thompson 68 75 13 14 39 58 (OCS) 6 62 40 47 32 55 27 147

Matthew Shaw 57 71 21 37 32 52 (OCS) 41 41 37 65 46 48 66 175

Scott Stephens 58 (68) 38 56 40 48 45 21 46 52 55 66 55 (68) 186

Alex Lehtinen 64 70 64 58 59 68 (OCS) 45 67 69 52 38 49 68 214

Report by Alison Thompson

Worlds website : www.optimistworlds.org.uy
Photographs

Optimist.co.za: 2008 Championship Venues

At the IODA Annual Meeting held on 6 January the following venues were chosen for championships in 2008.

Worlds: Cesme, Turkey
South Americans: Paracas, Peru
Europeans: Riva del Garda, Italy
North Americans: Curacao, Netherlands Antilles
Asians: Doha, Qatar
Africans: Grande Baie, Mauritius
Oceanians: Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea

Regattas - Optimist Worlds Optimist.co.za: Worlds Championships Report No. 6

Optimist 2006 I.O.D.A. World Championship, Montevideo, Uruguay

Team racing day continued...

The team racing carried on until the early evening of the 4th. The RSA sailors went out on a boat with Pete to watch, and had lots of fun cheering on the teams, swimming off the boat and swimming to shore. The event was held very close to the beach, and it was easy to watch from the shore. The team racing results were:1. Singapore, 2. Peru, 3. Germany and 4. Japan

After the team racing, we went to an Africans meeting where the South Africans and the Egyptians (only other African country) met to discuss issues relating to the African Continent. Separate notes will be sent out when we get back.

We then went to a cocktail party at the club hosted by the South African Embassy. Ben Joubert, the ambassador, was extremely supportive and he invited Egypt, yacht club committee and event organisers, and local dignitaries. It was a relaxed affair, and to the best of our knowledge, no other embassies treated their countries to such an event. We tasted South African wines for the first time since we had left home, and were not disappointed. Our sailors mingled with the guest's children, and we all had a fantastic time. Thank you South Africa!

Day 5 : Free Day

The team rose early for breakfast and set off to Punte Del Este. We had managed to secure a bus for USD10pp less than the official tour operators, plus we had our own SA bus. Dave Booth joined us and Dave, the country rep from Trinidad. We had a wonderful day, visiting seaside villages, Caspueblo - the home of the artist Carlos Paez Vilaro, and finally to Punte Del Este, where we had lunch and went swimming in the Atlantic Ocean. The boys and supporters had a lovely time in the warm sea (we had a few jellyfish stings - Mike & Tammy - but they recovered well). A relaxed and refreshed team headed back to Montevideo, ready for the challenges of race day 4.

Day 6 : race day 4 (06/01/2007)

We all got up nice and early, and set off to the yacht club. I attended the second IODA meeting, where the voting took place for a number of venues for different Championships. I will circulate a detailed notes when I return, but the 2008 Worlds venue was decided viz. Cesme, Turkey. Looks like a fantastic choice, and one can walk from the hotel to the launching area. A reminder that 2007 Worlds is in July in Cagliari, Sardinia Italy.

06/01/2007 (day 4 racing)

Top Ten Results after 11 races

1. Singapore � Griselda Khng
2. Germany -Julian Autenreich
3. Ecuador � Edgar Diminich
4. New Zealand � Marcus Hansen
5. Peru � Stephanie Zimmerman
6. Brazil � Diego Montautti
7. Japan � Haruka Komlya
8. Ecuador � Jonathan Martinetti
9. Malaysia � Rufina Tan Hong Mui
10. Italy � Leonardo Dubbini

South African Results (229 competitors):

Name	R1	R2	R3	R4	R5	R6	R7	R8	R9	R10	R11	Overall
Michael Crosland	28	47	46	47	32	40	22	51	(52)	20	35	126
Brevan Thompson	68	75	13	14	39	58	(OCS)	6	62	40	47	155
Matthew Shaw	57	71	21	37	32	52	(OCS)	41	41	37	65	169
Scott Stephens	58	(68)	38	56	40	48	45	21	46	52	55	175
Alex Lehtinen	64	70	64	58	59	68	(OCS)	45	67	69	52	221

A special mention is needed for the wonderful SA supporters, Lynne, Sally & Andrew. They are there whenever we need a helping hand, and we have
really enjoyed having them with us, especially as with the two events, we have been away from home for so long.

Your messages have been very supportive, thank you one and all - Oppie Team RSA - Worlds 2006

Report by Alison Thompson

Worlds website : www.optimistworlds.org.uy
Photographs

Optimist.co.za: More and More.

And the best wishes for the team at the Optimist Worlds in Uruguay keep coming:

Sender's Name: Graham Robertson
Message: Hi Guys
It's great reading your news and seeing the results. Sounds like things are tricky there. Relax, focus on your strong points, get clear air at the start and maintain that clear air. Most importantly, keep on enjoying yourselves to the maximum. All the best and walk tall.

Graham

Sender's Name: Paul and Ash Crosland
Message: Dear Guys. Sorry no fax for breakfast tomorrow as we are sitting in the middle of the Kalahari desert. However we are still constantly thinking of all you wonderful guys. Michael, keep up the consistency. You have done very well for your first worlds, we are VERY proud of you. Please keep focused and enjoy yourself, only 4 races to go. To the rest of you, remember, it ain't over until the fat lady sings! Lots of your competitors will have one foot on the plane home already. Stay focused until the end and you will shoot up the ranking. You must remember you are all very special kids, not many children will have the opportunity that you guys have had. It has been tough but some of you, specially Alex, have an opportunity to go to another worlds, possibly 2 and your day will come.

Finally, we have to thank Alison and Pete for their devotion to sailing and to these boys. This campaign has taken up a lot of their time in preparation.

Finally just a small word of thanks to the supporters, Andrew, Sally, Lynne and the young girls.

Paul and Ash