A total of 257 young optimist sailors competed at the Volvo Musto End of Season Championship, which took place at Rutland Sailing Club over the weekend of the 11-12 October.

Olympic Gold Medallist and Volvo Musto Optimist Sailing Ambassador Iain Percy, was on hand on Sunday to watch the racing, conduct a master class to the young sailors and also present the prizes.

Lack of wind on day one of the championship, meant that only one race was competed. Luckily for the race committee, the wind picked up on day two, therefore four races could be completed.

As the majority of the senior Optimist sailors moved on to other class’s after the Optimist World Championship, therefore the End of Season Championship, was an opportunity for the younger sailors to show the selectors what they could do. Tim Saxton (13, Baldock) and Patrick Metcalfe (13, Port Dinorwic) who were both sailing in the same fleet, lead the regatta from the first race. Tim finished the Championship in title podium position with eight points, with Patrick in second place, with nine points after having to use his discard for a disqualification. First girl and sixth overall went to Sophie Weguelin (Lymington, 14) with 20 points. Junior sailor, Matthew Rainback (12, Poole) had a great regatta and finished in ninth place overall.