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Fifteen young sailors from Wellington, Nelson and Picton gathered at the Queen Charlotte Yacht Club last weekend to prepare for the upcoming Optimist national championships in Picton.
The sailors got more out of it with larger numbers.
The locals were joined by sailors from Worser Bay Boating Club and Nelson Yacht Club for a weekend of high performance training sessions. It was an overwhelming success and it's hoped the three clubs will get together more often to help improve the development of the young sailors.
With the clubhouse still damaged from the recent storms, the sailors were accommodated at either the camping grounds or billeted with Picton sailing families.
The Saturday morning brought cold south-easterlies and the sailors headed to the outer sailing area for a few training drills accompanied by coaches Tim, Tom and Lola. In the afternoon they sailed three races in 18-knot winds.
It was a big day for the sailors and they were cold, tired and hungry when they returned to the club - the big BBQ and dessert did a lot to help them recuperate.
It looked far from promising on the Sunday morning and it took until 11am for the northerly to fill in. The time was spent with theory, fitness and group discussions before the Worser Bay team had to depart to make the Interislander ferry.
Sailors dining in the VIP area at the clubhouse.
