#optimist – Yesterday Optimist sailors in Cork and Dublin were packing a punch into training in Cork and Dublin writes Claire Bateman. Royal Cork YC members of the Irish Optimist Squad were training at Howth Yacht Club and other RCYC squad members were training in Cork Harbour where they presented a spectacular sight as they appeared to be literally flying up and down and around in a stiff W/SW bitingly cold breeze in the immediate vicinity of the club.
Next week Optimist training will move to Baltimore for the mid term schools break and sailors will spend the full week undergoing rigorous coaching and workouts. It also provides the opportunity for a mid term family break for other members of the families as they generally move to Baltimore for the week.
This is an extremely important year for the Optimist Class as the European Championships 2014 will take place in Dublin. A decision has been taken not to compete in the World Optimist Championships 2014 but to concentrate wholly on the European Championships. Obviously the venue is very accessible for the Irish sailors and will give some extra competitors the chance to participate where they might not have been able to access the Worlds at some far lung venue.
The Royal St. George Club will host the Europeans from July 12th to 20th, 2014 and credit for securing the event for the country must be given to Frank O'Beirne of RStGYC. This means that Ireland as the host nation will have fourteen places instead of the usual seven.
Following the Worlds, Optimist action will move on to the CH Marine Irish Optimist Nationals and Open Championship to be hosted by the Royal Cork Yacht Club from August 14th to 17th, 2014.
