Inland Champion Matt Whitfield

The 200 Main fleet sailors managed six races over the weekend with Optimist World Squad member, Matt Whitfield, 14, from Penarth Sailing Club taking the overall win by 8 points from fellow World Squad member, Sarah Norbury, 14, from South Staffordshire Sailing Club. European Squad member, Jemima Lawson, 14, from Emsworth Sailing Club finished third on equal points to Sarah Norbury. Jemima sailed well and consistently over the weekend but Sarah finished the second day winning two consecutive races, to take second.    

Jemima Lawson, third in the Main Fleet

“The weekend went really well! I sailed well in every race apart from the last one but it was quite a challenge because there were some races with a lot of wind and some with not that much so it was hard to be consistent in every race. There were also massive shifts to work with.” Said event winner Matt Whitfield.

It was also close at the top of the Regatta fleet with William Heathcote, 9, from Royal Lymington Yacht Club and James Hammett, 11, from Papercourt Sailing Club both finishing with 9 points apiece. It was a great first championship event for William who showed great racing skills, finishing the event in style by winning the last two races. They were followed closely by Marrhew Ke Vasseur, 12, from Guernsey Yacht Club. Top girl in the fleet was Zoe James, 12, from Papercourt Sailing Club who took one race win and finished 5^thoverall. Royal Lymington Yacht Club and Papercourt Sailing Club dominated the Regatta fleet with 3 sailors from each club finishing in the top ten.    

Regatta Fleet Champion Will Heathcote

“The first day was very windy so we didn’t race but the second day wasn’t as windy and we had some good racing. I enjoyed the weekend, I really liked being out on the water sailing and I’m glad I won,”  said William Heathcote.

The next UK National event on the Optimist calendar is the Volvo Gill National Open British Championships, to be held at Pwllheli Sailing Club from 30^thJuly to 5^thAugust. The event attracts around 500 Optimist sailors from around the globe and will also be celebrating its 50^thanniversary.     

"Winds on Saturday gusting over 25 knots gave the top sailors at this year's Inlands the chance to show what they can do, and show us they did, with an impressive display of boat handling and racing particularly at the top end of the fleet.  Matthew Whitfield proved a worthy winner in the Main fleet, and great to see a couple of the girls, Sarah Norbury and Jemima Lawson showing their paces in the windy conditions to finish second and third.  William gave notice of his intention to be a fine young sailor by winning the Regatta fleet.” Recounted Marshall King, Chairman of the International Optimist Class Association after the event.

Check out our Inland video diaries from the Volvo Chill-Out Zone diary pod 

http://www.kbsuk.com/ioca/website/indexv.asp

Check out more images on our exclusive Optimist Facebook tab http://on.fb.me/mQp4Pm

Full Main fleet results can be found here http://bit.ly/kHnivA

Regatta fleet results can be found here  http://bit.ly/krYcU6