Optimist nationals

On the 20th-25th of March I, Macgregor, went to the optimist nationals which was 5 days long but due to weather two days were blown out (too windy to race).  An optimist is a class of yacht that is usually used to learn to sail but because they have become so popular they are now a boat that is raced internationally.   I was in green fleet which is the fleet for people who haven't done many races outside of there area.  

Day one consisted of one race as it got too windy to race.  I came 11th Out of 50 boats which I was happy with as I had only been racing optimists for one season and they were my conditions :). 

Day two was blown out :( which gave us the chance to visit Wellington city including the national library and visiting the colosil squid and Macano display in Te Papa :).

Day three we had 4 races to make sure we got a series in.  I got a 14th, 15th, 19th, and a 30th which left me in 16th place overall and 14th in NZ :).

One of the sailing rules of racing is that once you've raced and completed 5 races your worst score does not count in your final score/placing.  

On Sunday (day 4) we had an early start with our briefing at 9:00am and first start at 9:35 which was very early compared to other days that had a 10:35 start!!!.  I placed a 16th, 26th, and a 46th which left me in 19th place overall and 17th in NZ :).  I got the 46th place because someone did not follow the rules and made me capsize :(.  At least I didn't come last!!

Day 4 (Monday) was the last day and it was very windy....PERFECT!!.......NO SAILING, it must have been to windy!!!  I biked as fast as I could to the yacht club to find there was no sailing :(.  At least I got left in 19th place overall and 17th in NZ (yes there were to French!!) and that's where I stayed :).

By Macgregor Jones :)

Me (Macgregor) sailing my optimist (water tight) at the optimist nationals
in Worser Bay Wellington.