Issue date
Returning from the New Caledonia Optimist Nationals recently was the 10-strong New Zealand Optimist Development Team.
Youngsters to compete included 11-year-olds Amelia Angus, Ned Bacon, George Pilkington and Lizzie Shapland as well as 12 year-olds Luke Armstrong, Suede Cowley, Luc Gladwell, Wilbur Stanley and Sean Sun. The team trained together in Auckland throughout winter under the guidance of coaches Matt Coutts and Tim Adair, with the off-season sailing allowing them to hone their sailing skills, improve fitness and truly become a team.
Noumea’s reputation for consistent breeze did not disappoint throughout the event with 6-12 knots during the build-up and a slow increase in brease throughout the regatta culminating in a steady 15 knots on the final day.
The New Zealand Team performed extremely well, most enjoying a placing in the top 20. The highest placing team member was Suede Cowley from QCYC who placed 7th, while Amelia Angus of Kohi was awarded prizes for the third placed 11 year old and third placed girl.
The entire team fell in love with Noumea with its swaying palms, plethora of kite surfers and warm, clear water. The non-sailing highlight was an amazing day on Duck Island, swimming with tropical fish and turtles.
Team Manager Mark Shapland said, “The New Caledonia Nationals is the perfect start to a young sailor’s international sailing career. We are very proud of the NZIODA 2016 Noumea Development Squad, the improvement they have shown and their performance at the regatta. The team and their parents are very grateful to SRC Yacht Club for hosting such a well-run regatta and for their generosity. We also thank Matt and Tim for their excellent coaching and NZIODA and OWNZ for their support.”
