The start line
James Kyle, Monday, 24 July 2006
Sailing Aplenty at Optimist Dinghy State Titles
Over the weekend of July 15/16 the Queensland International Optimist Dinghy Association held their 2nd State Championship on Moreton Bay. The event was hosted by Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron.
The Optimist Dinghy is a one design, single handed sail boat for children under 15 years. The Optimist is sailed in 110 countries around the world and is growing in Australia. In January 2006 the National Title was also held at RQYS and the Charter Boat supplier generously supplied a free boat to the Queensland Association. This boat was officially handed over to the Association on the weekend by the director of Sail One Mr Scott Elliott. This boat will be used on a rotation basis to assist new sailors into the class.
The weekends racing provided a range of conditions for the 14 competitors and some came from as far as Sydney to support the event. There were 6 races with the worst result dropped for the final score.
Results 1st Amy Gallagher from Ormiston, 2nd Sean Ott from Labrador, Angus Galloway Pullenvale, 5th place and first non Queensland competitor was Milly Bennett from Sydney.
Olympic 470 class sailors preparing for Beijing in 2008 presented the trophies.
If you are interested in getting your children involved in the Optimist Class and having a lot of fun please phone Al Harrison the Association President on 3893 0955
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