Bermuda Jr Optimist Sailors Competing In Italy
The 2013 IODA Optimist World Championships 2013 kicked off on Wednesday [July 17] with Ceci Wollmann leading the five Bermuda sailors after day one in Lake Garda, Italy.
Wollmann had two very good races placing 9th and 15th and sits in 37th place overall in the 259 boat fleet. Wollamann is also the 4th placed female. Benn Smith is in 109th [15, 42], Chase Cooper is 121st [21, 44] and Campbell Patton is 145th [42, 31]. Mikey Wollmann scored a 23rd and an OCS [over the line early] penalty in race two to end the day in 183rd. Another two races are scheduled today [July 18].
A summary from the event organisers, “A fantastic start to the 51st World Optimist Championships: Italian Dimitri Peroni leads after two races with sunshine and winds of 15-18 knots, neck and neck with the formidable helmsmen from Singapore Loh and Koh.
“The first day of the World Optimist Championships, organised by Fraglia Vela Riva, got off to a perfect start. 58 countries are taking part with 259 helmsmen who each surpassed the technically challenging qualifications in their home country. Despite the grey skies early this morning, a good wind of 14/18 knots picked up just at the time of the start of the first race, the sun then broke through and all of a sudden the day was transformed into one of perfection for this the 51st World Optimist Championships which ends on the July 25 after 12 total regattas, as well as the team regattas scheduled for the 20th and July 25.
“Two races were held today: the first results confirm that Singapore is one of the strongest teams with Italy, who in this opening day of the Championships, confirmed with their ability their knowledge of the regatta course. In this the first phase there are many ties since the participants have been divided into 4 heats according to the regulations.
“Today the strongest were well focused as they achieved their first important points. Three different heats gave 2 clear wins for Dimitri Peroni of Malcesine, Italy and Singapore’s Loh Jia Yi and Ko Yi Kun. They were followed by Houtman of The Netherlands [2-3] and Liado Duran of Spain [4-2]. Singapore dominates also in the girls: 13th overall for Han Bertha, with a third and sixth partial [the girls rankings will be extracted from the overall one].”
The full results can be obtained here [PDF].
