PSC Sailors at Optimist End of Seasons - October
26 Papercourt sailors attended the Optimist End of Seasons at Rutland on 9/10 October. Many sailors were looking to attain places in the IOCA squads, others were to have a first go at the Main fleet while for others this was a first try at Regatta fleet sailing. Saturday was damp and misty with a force 3-4 gusting 5, Sunday however dawned with bright sunshine and a force 3-4 that freshened to force 5 in the afternoon. Ideal for parents (and younger ones) to try a lap of the lake on bicycles!
There were many stand out performances from those in the 227 boat Main fleet not least the 6 sailors aged 10 and 11 yrs old trying the main fleet for the first time. Three 1 hour races each day was a punishing schedule especially when facing the more experienced 13 and 14 year olds. Emily W, Emma H, Conor W, Jake H, Jack L-C and Nick W all did themselves proud and despite a few capsizes all came ashore with smiles on their faces if not weary limbs!
Closer to the front Esther F-J put in a good series with three top 20 results in her flight to finish 49th. Robert M and David B had strong series with 69th and 72nd overall respectively. Dominic H had a great Saturday to cement 113th - outstanding for a non squaddie. Jessy H three top 50 results for her 128th closely followed by Jamie Smith in 136th.
The 94 Regatta fleet sailors positioned in front of the club probably had stronger wind being to leeward of the lake, but had the benefit of lunch breaks and 10 shorter races over the weekend. Again plaudits first for the 8 and 9 year olds giving it a go for the first time. Chris J (oppy age 9) was 35th, Charles H (oppy age 9) 57th and Patrick Whelan (oppy age age 8) was 82nd - very well done. Nicholas Walters only sailed Sunday but put in some strong results including a 4th while Hannah Birchall was 50th. At the front it was battle royal to be the first Papercourt boat. James H 2nd and 5th on the last day left him 25th, Zoe James was 21st with Annabelle Whelan's 4th and 14th in the last two races just pipping Alice Handley by 2 points finishing 18th and 19th overall respectively.
Many sailors will be hoping to gain places in various IOCA and RYA Zone squads in the coming weeks and we wish them all the best, while the new young guns in the Regatta fleet will be looking to make a name for themselves in future years.
Main Fleet
49th Esther Fenton-Jones
69th Robert Masterman
72nd David Brand
113rd Dominic Hall
128th Jessy Hammett
136th Jamie Smith
157th Oscar Wright
159th Alice Smith
179th William Birchall
188th Hattie Lucas-Clements
194th Emily Smith
195th Emily Walters
196th Emma Handley
201st Conor Whelan
204th Jake Hardman
206th Jack Lucas-Clements
218th Nick Wishart
Regatta Fleet
18th Annabelle Whelan
19th Alice Handley
21st Zoe James
25th James Hammett
35th Chris James
50th Hannah Birchall
57th Charles Handley
66th Nicholas Walters
82nd Patrick Whelan
Report by Paul Hammett
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