Optimist

The South African Optimist Sailing Team that represented South Africa at the 2010 African Optimist Championships in Kilifi, Kenya.

Tristan Rogotzki, Joshua Woolard, Dane Collingridge, Cara Stubbs, Ryan Barnardo, Moya Moorcroft and Matthew Gaughran.

Well this is it. We've arrived at the airport in Mombasa. Wake up call at 04h00, loaded the bus and headed off at 04h55. The Nairobi flight is slightly delayed, 20 minutes, no issue.

Yesterday we did two races and were done by two pm. The coaches all raced back to the club, with Bendon a clear leader, pity about the OCS. It has been a tough regatta and I'm sure the kids will have learned a lot. Final results up on the Sailing Kenya website.

The closing ceremony was a wonderful affair down on the beach. Dave Booth was wished well for the future, he is stepping down at the end of the year. The girl from Algeria was the overall African champion. They were so strong the whole week. The kids spent half the night swapping kit etc, normal thing; the other half of the night they spent packing.. If something is "lost" it was probably packed by a mate. We checked all the rooms twice and have left nothing behind.

We've had a fun time, I'm sure the kids have had a ball and at the same time have come away with valuable sailing experience

The Kilifi, Kenya 2010 African Optimist Championships South African Sailor Placings:

7th: RSA 1342 - Tristan Rogotzki
16th: RSA 1385 - Joshua Woolard
29th: RSA 1327 - Dane Collingridge
32nd: RSA 1367 - Cara Stubbs
34th: RSA 1401 - Ryan Barnardo
38th: RSA 1384 - Moya Moorcroft
40th: RSA 1381 - Matthew Gaughran

The Kilifi, Kenya 2010 African Optimist Championships Top 10 Sailor Placings:

1st: ALG 900 - Imane Cherif Sahraoui - Algeria - Female
2nd: TAN 26 - Tarick Nielsen - Tanzania - Male
3rd: KEN 115 - Maxim Sanders - Kenya - Male
4th: ANG 165 - Paulo Amaral - Angola - Male
5th: TUN 3 - Mohamed Raouf ben Naseur - Tunisia - Male
6th: TUN 4 - Ines Gmati - Tunisia - Female
7th: RSA 1342 - Tristan Rogotzki - South Africa - Male
8th: KEN 116 - Richard Sanders - Kenya - Male
9th: TUN 1 - Dhia Chaaben - Tunisia - Male
10th: KEN 111 - Lara Granier - Kenya - Female

After yesterday's lay day, today was an up day for some and a few fell down on their positions so are feeling a little down themselves.

The day's racing started off in 8-10 knots of really shifty breeze. It picked up to a wind of 15-18 knots as the day progressed and at times was very gusty making conditions tricky and frustrating. It was a long day with racing finishing at around 4:30 after four races. They are really learning a lot about sailing in variable, shifting conditions (as some said 'pond' sailing and would much rather have sailed off-shore.)

Philip has been fantastic chatting to each one individually and also having group de-briefing sessions analysing the day's sailing. He has also been very helpful chatting and encouraging the sailors on the coaching boat on the water.

The group of S.A sailors have been a fantastic bunch and have 'come together' nicely as a team with Philip's guidance and leadership.

Saturday is the last day!!! Two races to go finishing around 2:00.

Dane sends his love, so does Cara, so does Moya, so does Josh, so does Ryan. Tristan saw his Mom today for the last time, they leave tomorrow.
Judging by the state of the rooms, clothes etc all over the place it will take a long time to pack!

The closing ceremony is at 5.00 on Saturday on the beach. We leave early on Sunday morning at 5:30 for our flight.

Leave your comments and wishes here.

Well today's team racing was hectic. We were up second against the European team and to a man (plus girl) the guys were out to get them.

They were up against some really good sailors. It ended pretty much in a stalemate as they all sailed the wrong course following the Aussie's lead in race one.

Next up against Tanzania, we came second.

Angola were three ahead going into the last beat and lost.

We then came up against Kenya B and needed them to not complete a 2 turn penalty (he did 1 and a half) to go through.

Last four and Kenya A were out for revenge, They sailed well and got one over us, that was us ending fourth. Champions are Algeria.

Thursday is snorkeling and glass-bottomed boat trip for the lay day to Malinga. We leave around 9h00 for the trip and return after lunch. (also it's Philip's birthday so it'll be great to relax for the day)

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The sailors are in high spirits after Tuesday's sailing and their performance. The day started off cloudy again with early morning showers as they were launching, clearing again for a lovely hot morning.

The wind started off moderately during the first race then dropped off for the second race. For the third race the wind was fairly strong (+-25 knots - sailors estimates hee hee) then it died down with the sailors battling to finish. The rain poured down at one stage, still warm though.

In all they improved on their positions and after Saturday's individual racing will be able to discard another race and this will see improved positions for most. (See: www.sailingkenya.org for updated results)

We all seem to be having our turn at picking up a 24 hr tummy bug. Started off with John and Dane then Ryan, Moya and today Philip and Cara. We are making sure they are hydrated and treating with immodium / flat coke. (think it's the change in diet) All seem to bounce back afterwards.

Wednesday is team racing which they are eagerly looking forward to, maybe not if they knew they are sailing against the Europeans, Serbs, Danes, Greeks and one other - all hotshots in the top 5 or so, should be fun.

The South African Sailors positions after 6 races:

• 18: RSA 1401 - Ryan Barnardo
• 21: RSA 1385 - Joshua Woolard
• 24: RSA 1342 - Tristan Rogotzki
• 26: RSA 1367 - Cara Stubbs
• 37: RSA 1381 - Matthew Gaughran
• 41: RSA 1384 - Moya Moorcroft
• 48: RSA 1327 - Dane Collingridge

Leave your comments and wishes here.

The Northern Region Youth Provincial Championships will be be sailed at Aeolians Club, Vaal Dam, Gauteng from Friday, 24 September to Sunday, 26 September 2010.

Download the Notice of Race here.

The sailors had an early wake-up call at round 7.30. After a great breakfast they got organised rigging their boats etc. The morning started off rather overcast and while having their briefing had some light showers. They launched at around 9.45 a.m. with the first race at 11:00.

The wind was switchy, light earlier in the morning and picked up later which made conditions difficult. The course is a greatly modified trapezoid, the sailors are doing a sausage to start before doing the normal trapezoid. There is no gate which creates huge congestion at the bottom mark, needless to say with lots of screaming and shouting and the odd protest. Luckily only Ryan protested another sailor for barging, seen by the jury who whistled the kid into a 720/360.

They sailed 3 races finishing after 4 so a relatively long day.

The fleet has 69 boats with South Africa placed as follows:

• Joshua Woolard - 20th
• Cara Stubbs - 22nd
• Ryan Barnardo - 24th
• Tristan Rogotzki - 31st
• Moya Moorcroft - 41st
• Matthew Gaughran - 47th
• Dane Collingridge - 54th

The forecast for Tuesday (Today) is a slightly stronger wind so all are hoping to improve on the days results.

Team sailing is on Wednesday.

Leave your comments and wishes here.

Sunday was a cloudy humid day. The sailors were at breakfast at 8:00 a.m. then went off to rig their boats.

They launched at around 12:00 midday with the practice race scheduled for 1:00 p.m. The clouds moved over the bay around that time and it then started raining, seeing the wind die.

After many recalls the race eventually got under way. The race was officially won by an Aussie with Tristan unofficially second as he ducked the finish boat. The rest of the team did quite nicely as per tradition didn't want to cross the finish line (bad luck.)

The opening ceremony got underway at 5:00 p.m. with all the teams meeting up at the hotel alongside the pool deck overlooking the bay.A flotilla of dhows passed down below signalling the start of the procession down to the beach. The weather by now had cleared and it was a pleasant cool evening. The ceremony went off well. Philip hoisted the S.A flag and Moya poured the water in the 'mixing of the waters' ceremony.

The first race gets under way at 11:00 a.m. on Monday with three races scheduled per day with a max of 12 for the regatta. We have a top ISAF juror from Poland an expert on rule 42 (propulsion) and she will be briefing the sailors daily.

The team is in high spirits and ready for the day

Leave your comments and wishes here.

A beautiful day in Kilifi. The sailors were up 8ish this morning and after a great buffet breakfast had a swim and some free time til lunch exploring the resort. They got allocated their boats,rigged up and went out to practice starts and some light training.The wind was round 18 knts which they were all happy with.(all had to hike extensively) They came in at 5 and went swimming again.We have a lovely enclosed verandah off the chalet where Philip chats to his team and debriefs them.

Tomorrows plan is to get some training done in the morning. The resort offers free diving lessons in the pool so a few are interested in trying this out.

The resort got really busy today with most of the teams arriving (total of 18) so we are pleased we arrived yesterday.

All the kids are fine and send love to you all

Take care the G's Philip and sailors.

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Today (28 July) the South African Optimist team, who will be competing in the All African Championships in Kilifi Kenya, left for Kenya.

The Championships start with the Practice race on Sunday.

The Forecast is looking very good for the week, with average winds of about 15 knots and 26C weather for the whole week.

We left early on Wednesday morning with the whole Team meeting in Johannesburg International. After a full day of travelling we finally arrived at our amazing hotel right on the waterfront. Everyone is very tired but in great form and ready for the sailing to start.

On Thursday morning we will get our brand new Zou Boats and will hopefully hit the water for a bit of practice.

We will keep you all updated on our progress.

Cheers

Philip Bendon