The four Northern Ireland competitors at the Irish National Optimist championships at Royal St George YC certainly had four days of valuable race experience last week which will stand them well for the future.
The four, three siblings from the Doig family, George, Freddie and Penny from East Antrim BC on Larne Lough and Matthew Holden from Ballyholme YC on Belfast Lough turned in commendable results in big fleets in challenging conditions ranging from the blistering heat, fickle winds, and strong tides.
It was challenging too for the Chief Race Office, Ed Totterdell, supported by David Lovegrove and David Bolger.
In the 37-strong Regatta Racing Fleet, a new departure for IODAI, ten-year-old Penny Doig had a 20th as her best place, and her brother George (12) finished 28th in the 70-strong Junior fleet with a best finish of 16th.
In the Senior fleet, Matthew Holden was 18th overall, counting his best result of 13th and Freddie Doig was 20th overall with scores which included a best result of 12th of 55 and in the same fleet.
Lucy Whitford Commodore of East Antrim BC was delighted to see the club junior and youth sailors representing the club; “They are gaining valuable racing skills to bring back to club racing. Freddie, George and Penny have had a busy couple of weeks and now it is the turn of our Topper, Laser and RS sailors who are all competing next weekend, good luck to them all”.
More on the Optimist Nationals here
