The Speed Sails Midland Optimist Team Series consisted of eight open meetings at Barnt Green, Hollowell, Northampton, Notts County, Staunton Harold, Middle Nene, Ogston and Scaling Dam Sailing Clubs. Competitors needed to compete in four open meetings to qualify for the series.
The series aimed to give our squad sailors an opportunity to put their skills learnt over the winter into good practice but also introduce our non squad sailors to competitive racing. The star of the series was Tom Fenemore (Barnt Green) who qualified in third position in the series, his first season of competitive racing. First girl was Cora Kenmuir-Hogg (Staunton Harold).
In total over 70 sailors took part in the series ranging from Scaling Dam SC to Lymington SC.
The early leader of the series was Aaron Holman with a win at Barnt Green, Martin Wrigley came second. Hollowell SC had the best attendance with 26 boats some coming from as far as Lymington. The event was won by Fraser Woodley with Robert Badderley second, both from Burfield SC.
The third event was at a very wind Northampton Sailing Club with gusts of up to thirty knots. The event was won by Andy Kilburn with Harriet Ward second. In contrast Nott’s County was a light wind event which was won by Georgia Booth for Scaling Dam with Andrew Kilburn from the home club second.
The Midland Area Championships were held at Staunton Harold Sailing Club. The event was sailed in a shifty 12 to 16 knot breeze which resulted in some close tactical racing. The Championship was won by Andrew Kilburn with Arran Holman second. The Regatta Fleet was won by Tom Smith from Nott’s County SC.
The next two open meetings were at Middle Nene SC and Ogston SC. Middle Nene was sailed in a variable wind, the event was won by Andrew Kilburn with Josh Haynes second. Ogston SC attracted a lot of new faces to the series from the home club. The event was won by Sarah Norbury with Andrew Kilburn second. The final event at Scaling Dam Sailing Club was won by Andrew Kilburn with Sarah Norbury second.
Results
1st Andrew Kilburn Nott’s County SC 4pts
2nd Arran Holman Hollowell SC 13pts
3rd Tom Fenemore Barnt Green SC 25pts
4th Cora Kenmuir- Hogg Staunton Harold SC 31pts
5th Eve Wilkinson Bell Scaling Dam SC 42pts
Midlands Optimist Team (MOT) wishes to thank all clubs who hosted events and their members for their support and assistance. Furthermore we wish to extend our thanks to Speed Sails who have generously provided prizes to be awarded at the first of our winter open training sessions and AGM: South Staffs SC 27th November.
The series can certainly be considered a success. There were many regular faces but vitally lots of new ones too. MOT is reliant on the good will of local clubs, volunteers in the form of club helpers, rescue crews, galley, on shore help and of course the parents and sailors. It is a fun environment enjoyed by some of the best Optimist sailors in the country and is always keen to recruit new sailors. There is no formal joining process, just turn up at an event and you will be made very welcome by all.