Team SLMASC hosted the Trinity Point 2016 NSW State Championship for the International Optimist (Opti) Dinghy class last weekend, with this being the first time that the event has been awarded to a NSW club outside of Sydney.

A fleet of 166 boats, crewed by children ranging from 7 to 15 years of age, accompanied by a large fleet of support boats full of parents, coaches and spectators descended on the club, and despite the threat of rain in the lead up to the event, we enjoyed perfect ‘postcard’ sailing conditions with many first time visitors in awe of the club venue and facilities.

2016 Opti States (SLMASC) – Day 1

The NSW Championship involved 2 full days of competitive racing spread across 3 fleets separated based on the skill and experience of the junior sailors. The ‘Green Fleet’ had 60 competitors and comprised the less experienced sailors who raced on a smaller course with the support of our club assistant instructors who helped teach racing skills while building the confidence of the junior sailors, many of whom were entering in their first major championship. The Intermediate Fleet comprised 62 competitors who had graduated from Green Fleet and were working hard to join the 44 top young sailors in Open fleet. A very high emphasis was also placed on teaching good sportsmanship with many of the major prizes awarded to ‘good sports’ observed in each of the fleets.

The hosting of the NSW Championships marked a significant milestone for our relatively new Opti Learn to Sail and Learn to Race programs which started out with just 4 Opti dinghies around 3 years ago but has grown rapidly, with over 30 boats on the water in the weeks leading up to the event. We were delighted that 22 of our local juniors were able to compete in these State Championships on their home waters, with several of them having only taken up the sport in the last few months.

The club is extremely fortunate to have such high calibre head coaches for our youth sailing programs with Adam and Lanee Beashel leading the team in coaching the kids each week with the assistance our dedicated instructors and assistant instructors.

Last Year the club had only a handful of our juniors enter the State Championships, mostly in Green Fleet at the beginner level, however in just under 12 months Adam and Lanee have coached 22 of our young sailors though to State Championship level, with SLMASC represented in all 3 fleets for the first time. Bridget Conrad was the clubs first Open fleet competitor and placed a very creditable 22nd in an extremely hot fleet of 44 top level competitors …. well done Bridget. In the Intermediate Fleet the success and progression of our Opti program was readily evident, with the club filling 3 of the top 5 places overall, with Darcy Hillhouse (1st), Trent Beashel (2nd) and Joel Beashel (5th). Despite only joining the Opti program around 3 months ago, Ruby Cowan took 1st place in Green Fleet and she is bound to be quickly moving up a level into Intermediate. There were many other great performances from all of our sailors and Team SLMASC were also extremely excited to take out the inaugural Beashel Trophy for the highest representation in Green Fleet, which was a real credit to our entire coaching team.

Darcy Hillhouse (SLMASC) – 1st Intermediate Fleet

At the presentation ceremony on Sunday afternoon, Jeremey Atkinson, President of the NSW Opti Association, announced that this years states at SLMASC had been one of the very best ever held in the long history of the event. This was only possible with the generous support of many sponsors, with the major sponsor Trinity Point (Johnson Property Group) having been right behind the event from the very start. Our ‘army’ of over 60 volunteers were fantastic and we simply could not have pulled it off without the support, dedication and hard work of each and every one of you …. thank you for a job well done. We have received many messages of thanks and recognition for the fun had by all and the high quality of the event, and have been asked by many to pass ontheir thanks and congratulations to all club members who made the event possible.

The real stars of the weekend however were the amazingly talented young sailors from all around the state (and beyond), with the awesome performance of our Team SLMASC juniors rightfully making their parents, coaches and the club extremely proud. Well done kids …. the best is yet to come!

To see some great highlights of the event courtesy of Beau Outteridge Productions, click on the link below and enjoy!

I wish you a happy Easter and a very enjoyable long weekend. If you are on the roads or heading out on the water …. take it easy and stay safe.

Smooth Sailing!

Phil Evans
President SLMASC