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