Optimist Open at Parkstone Yacht Club

by Sandy Ramus, Kate Davis and Melissa Franklin 13 Oct 22:52 NZDT 28-29 September 2024

It was time for the annual Parkstone Optimist Open Meeting 2024, which took place two weekends ago. It was a weekend of winds at either extreme with day 1 of drifting to day 2 of thrilling races that kept both sailors and spectators on their toes.

Main Fleet

Day 1 greeted us with a beautifully sunny Poole Harbour and a light North Westerly breeze. As the fleet launched, the breeze started to falter, casting doubt on whether it would hold for the races. After a single general recall, Race Officer Brian managed to get the fleet away in a marginal 5 knots. The breeze soon shifted, favouring those who had chosen the right side of the course. Main Fleet newcomer Theo Fox seized the opportunity and took the bullet, with seasoned sailor Jonny Rogers hot on his heels, securing second place. Rufus De La Haye from Hayling Sailing Club rounded out the top three. Despite efforts to start another race, the conditions led to a wise early call to AP over A.

Sunday presented a stark contrast with a forecast of 30 knots and a solid 20 knots on the water as the fleet launched. Sailors faced a strategic choice between less sea and wind on the left or chop and breeze on the right. Local sailor Harry Draper and Hayling's Finn Ramus, both heavy wind specialists, excelled in these conditions, with Draper ultimately taking the win. Ramus got 2nd and local champion Eliana Edwards fought hard to secure third place.

In Race 2, the breeze increased to 23 knots, setting the stage for another battle between Draper and Ramus. Finn led at the top mark, but Harry caught a monster gust on the last run, gaining a 20-yard lead. After the gate, Ramus picked up a strong streak of breeze just in time to edge ahead at the finish line. Lazlo Drummond from Lymington demonstrated impressive upwind speed, securing third place.

The Race Officer made a wise decision to run a shortened race for the third, with gusts approaching the 30s. Max O'Hare from Royal St George Yacht Club in Ireland reached the windward mark first with a commanding 25-second lead. The fleet, however, closed in, showcasing their competitive spirit. O'Hare skilfully defended his position in an impressive tacking duel against Ramus, securing the win. Ramus finished second, earning him the overall victory, while Draper took third, claiming the Silver. Jonny Rogers' consistent performance in both light and heavy breezes earned him third place overall.

Racing Regatta

With light and shifty conditions, the fleet completed 6 races on the Saturday. On Sunday the fleet were then greeted with 20 knots. Roger made the wise decision to hold the fleet ashore while main fleet launched and then the fleet were raced in the relative shelter of Parkstone Bay. The fleet managed to sail 2 races before it was decided to end the day. Archie Dowling finished in 1st, with Elsie Hutchinson in 2nd and Camilla Garlick in 3rd.

Coached Regatta

24 boats were entered in for Coached Regatta and sailed 8 races in very light and shifty conditions. All sailors improved their racing throughout the day. On race 1 they were coached up to the line but by the 8th race they were all lining up on the start line and sailing upwind competently. Unfortunately, the Sunday was too breezy for this fleet so they were held ashore. Well done to Finley Eyre, 3rd, Toby Jones, 2nd and Dexter Truswell who came 1st.

We extend congratulations to all the sailors and a heartfelt thank you to everyone who contributed to making this event a success.

Overall Results:

Main Fleet

Pos	Sail No	Helm	Club	R1	R2	R3	R4	Pts
1st	6655	Finn Ramus	Hayling Island	‑8	2	1	2	5
2nd	6656	Harry Draper	Parkstone YC	‑29	1	2	3	6
3rd	6611	Jonny Rogers	Royal Lymington Yacht Club	2	4	‑7	4	10
4th	6622	Laszlo Drummond	RLYMYC	5	(UFD)	3	6	14
5th	6639	Rory Armstrong	Royal Southern Yacht Club	(DNC)	6	5	5	16
6th	IRL1565	Max OHare	Royal St George Yacht Club	12	5	‑23	1	18
7th	6632	Eliana Edwards	Parkstone YC	10	3	6	‑25	19
8th	6447	Bear Baker	Royal Lymington	4	8	‑13	7	19
9th	Irl 1667	Patrick Fegan	Malahide yacht club	‑50	7	8	9	24
10th	6608	Rufus de la Haye	HISC	3	16	12	‑18	31
11th	6618	Wilbur de la Haye	HISC	‑20	10	10	11	31
12th	6593	Fraser Hakes	Parkstone YC	‑23	9	4	22	35
13th	6512	Darcy ODonnell	Royal Southern Yacht Club	‑19	11	14	10	35
14th	6374	Freddie Jones	Chichester Sailing Club	‑35	14	9	15	38
15th	6635	Isla Hutchinson	R Lym YC	9	‑22	18	14	41
16th	6612	Charlie Holland	Royal Lymington	‑32	13	16	12	41
17th	6446	Samuel Machell	HISC	(UFD)	20	11	17	48
18th	6651	Merryn Wealthy	Warsash	15	‑24	15	19	49
19th	6547	Jacques Kent	Parkstone YC	16	18	‑19	16	50
20th	6316	Sean Di Salle	Gurnard SC	6	(UFD)	37	8	51
21st	6631	Patrick Di Salle	Gurnard SC	18	12	‑30	21	51
22nd	6578	Ruby Coster	RLYMYC	24	15	20	‑41	59
23rd	6147	Gracie	CBYC	21	‑23	17	23	61
24th	6474	Felix Gladman	Bosham Sailing Club	‑27	17	25	20	62
25th	6494	Zoe Green	RLymYC/NetleySC	11	27	29	‑34	67
26th	6480	Natalie Ayling	RLymYC	14	26	‑32	27	67
27th	6620	Chloe Davis	Parkstone YC	13	25	‑33	33	71
28th	6572	Oscar Hoyle	Parkstone YC	26	‑36	22	24	72
29th	6646	Max Ellis‑Asquith	Warsash	‑47	41	21	13	75
30th	6515	Rupert Garlick	Itchenor Sailing Club	‑38	21	27	31	79
31st	6331	Iain Coward	HISC	‑55	19	31	32	82
32nd	6439	Jack Ward	HISC/Warsash	‑46	30	28	29	87
33rd	6275	Theo Fox	Emsworth SC	1	44	‑48	44	89
34th	6484	Isabella Deas	Parkstone YC	28	(RET)	36	28	92
35th	6600	Roisin Epstein	CBYC	‑56	37	26	30	93
36th	6394	Josie Clark	Parkstone YC	25	35	34	‑43	94
37th	6633	Henry Finch	Royal Lymington YC	36	38	‑40	26	100
38th	6105	Sam Wealthy	Warsash	‑43	28	38	35	101
39th	6644	Tom Keegan	Parkstone YC	40	39	24	‑47	103
40th	6546	Felix Palmer Ward	Hisc/esc	17	45	‑50	42	104
41st	6643	Finnian Keegan	Parkstone YC	‑37	34	35	36	105
42nd	5844	Robby Mayo	Lymington Town SC	22	40	46	(DNC)	108
43rd	6476	Joshua Ayling	RlymYC	‑48	29	42	40	111
44th	6561	Finn Kameen	Bosham Sailing Club	‑53	31	44	39	114
45th	6505	Guy Kent	Parkstone YC	7	43	(RET)	DNC	117
46th	6381	Carwyn Parry	Parkstone YC	30	‑51	39	49	118
47th	6596	Maddie White	HISC	‑61	33	43	48	124
48th	6398	Cara Lynch	Warsash/HISC	45	‑47	41	38	124
49th	6346	Felicity Knibb	HISC	‑51	42	49	37	128
50th	6658	Oscar Stephens	HISC	41	‑53	47	46	134
51st	6615	Meri Greenaway	RSrnYC	42	32	(RET)	DNC	141
52nd	6535	Olivia Grant	RLymYC	‑54	52	45	45	142
53rd	6350	Charlotte Davis	Parkstone YC	33	48	(DNC)	DNC	148
54th	6617	Finley Browne	HISC	31	(DNC)	DNC	DNC	165
55th	5378	EJ Ayton	HISC	52	46	(RET)	DNC	165
56th	6306	George McCormick	Parkstone YC	49	(DNC)	51	RET	167
57th	6249	Stefano Marangio	Burghfield Sailing Club	34	(DNC)	DNC	DNC	168
58th	6070	Rory Butterfield	Emsworth Sailing Club	39	(DNC)	DNC	DNC	173
59th	6416	Emily Franklin	Parkstone YC	60	49	(RET)	DNC	176
60th	6552	Amelia Browne	HISC	59	50	(RET)	DNC	176
61st	6609	Eloise McCarthy	Parkstone YC	44	(RET)	DNC	DNC	178
62nd	6576	Arthur Pattison	Itchenor	57	(DNC)	DNC	DNC	191
63rd	6084	Monty Lewis	Spinnaker Sailing Club	58	(DNC)	DNC	DNC	192
64th	6594	Finn Byrne	Pevensey Bay	(DNC)	DNC	DNC	DNC	201
64th	6610	Nia Byrne	Pevensey Bay	(DNC)	DNC	DNC	DNC	201
64th	6659	Hugo Fletcher	Royal Southern Yacht Club	(DNC)	DNC	DNC	DNC	201

Coached Fleet

Pos	Sail no	Helm	Club	R1	R2	R3	R4	R5	R6	R7	R8	Pts
1st	6019	Dexter Truswell	Netley SC/Royal Southern	‑6	1	1	4	6	4	1	4	21
2nd	5714	Toby Jones	Chichester Yacht Club	‑10	4	3	2	2	2	2	7	22
3rd	5789	Finley Eyre	Parkstone YC	3	3	2	3	8	7	4	‑12	30
4th	6169	Mary Peats	CCSC	11	‑16	9	10	3	1	3	2	39
5th	647	Skye Lynch	Warsash/Hisc	7	10	6	8	‑17	5	15	1	52
6th	5985	Ingaela Leask	HISC	8	12	5	‑18	1	10	9	11	56
7th	5760	Leo Ellis‑Asquith	Warsash	1	6	15	1	‑18	13	12	9	57
8th	5445	Edith Charles	Papercourt	‑22	11	13	12	5	8	8	8	65
9th	6324	George White	HISC	18	15	‑19	11	11	3	7	3	68
10th	4617	Euan Green	NetleyYC	‑20	19	17	7	4	9	6	10	72
11th	6531	Benjamin Kirkham	BSC	5	13	12	9	‑20	11	5	18	73
12th	5914	Tom Hadfield	Parkstone YC	13	2	7	‑16	7	15	16	14	74
13th	4547	Marcia Storey	Parkstone YC	9	9	11	13	9	14	11	‑17	76
14th	5805	Floriane Parry	Parkstone YC	15	7	14	14	12	12	‑21	15	89
15th	6066	Noah Hughes	Parkstone YC	4	14	10	17	13	16	‑18	16	90
16th	6276	Mia Clark	Parkstone YC	2	5	4	5	(DNC)	DNC	DNC	DNC	91
17th	6253	Lucy Armstrong	Royal Southern YC	16	8	‑21	20	14	21	14	6	99
18th	6475	Rufus Evans	BSC	14	17	8	19	16	6	‑20	19	99
19th	6400	Kate Keegan	Parkstone YC	12	20	16	‑22	19	18	19	5	109
20th	5202	Ben Hannaby	Gurnard SC	19	‑22	20	21	10	20	10	13	113
21st	5525	Annika Franklin	Parkstone YC	‑21	21	18	15	21	17	17	20	129
22nd	6311	Emmy Aldred	Parkstone YC	‑23	23	23	23	15	19	13	21	137
23rd	6304	Jessie Burt	Parkstone YC	17	18	22	6	(DNC)	DNC	DNC	DNC	138
24th	5528	William Hall	Warsash SC	(DNC)	DNC	DNC	DNC	DNC	DNC	DNC	DNC	175

Regatta Fleet

Pos	Sail No	Helm	Club	R1	R2	R3	R4	R5	R6	R7	R8	Pts
1st	6345	Archie Dowling	RLYC	1	10	5	3	5	‑11	1	1	26
2nd	6520	Elsie Hutchinson	R Lym YC	3	5	7	4	1	5	(DNC)	6	31
3rd	508	Camilla Garlick	Itchenor Sailing Club	6	2	‑16	6	12	7	3	3	39
4th	6376	Lumia Greenaway	RSrnYC	9	6	1	‑15	14	2	5	5	42
5th	6328	Reubyn Storey	Parkstone YC	2	16	9	1	4	6	(DNC)	DNC	61
6th	4998	Evelyn Rogerson	Warsash SC / HISC	11	8	11	7	6	15	4	(DNF)	62
7th	6565	Kit McCarthy	Parkstone YC	7	11	13	5	2	3	(DNC)	DNC	64
8th	6428	Joshua Cadbury	Parkstone YC	10	9	‑20	11	11	20	2	2	65
9th	6183	Evan Hannaby	Gurnard SC	5	14	4	10	7	16	10	(DNC)	66
10th	5156	Nathalie Hall	Warsash SC	17	4	17	‑19	18	1	7	7	71
11th	6355	Olivia Knibb	HISC	14	1	19	2	8	13	(DNC)	DNC	80
12th	6320	Evelyn Dudley	Papercourt	15	3	14	20	‑21	18	6	4	80
13th	6048	William Foster	Warsash Sailing Club	8	17	2	13	9	9	(DNC)	DNC	81
14th	5839	Rufus Kelly	Parkstone YC	(DNC)	DNC	10	12	17	10	9	9	90
15th	6264	Thomas Peats	CCSC	18	18	8	14	‑20	19	8	8	93
16th	5765	Josh Johnston	Parkstone YC	(DNC)	DNC	3	18	10	4	13	DNF	94
17th	6519	Hettie Hutchinson	R Lym YC	4	19	12	21	3	12	(DNC)	DNC	94
18th	6212	Maxim Lucas	Royal Southern	13	15	6	8	16	14	(DNC)	DNC	95
19th	5817	Max McCafferty	RLYC	16	12	15	9	15	8	(DNC)	DNC	98
20th	6497	Florence Evans	BSC	20	7	18	17	19	17	11	(DNC)	109
21st	6301	Alice Aldred	Parkstone YC	12	13	21	22	13	21	12	(DNC)	114
22nd	6300	Teddy Deas	Parkstone YC	19	20	22	16	22	22	(DNC)	DNC	144