Over the Easter weekend, RQYS optimist sailors Finn and Alex Walker competed in the 43rd Easter Optimist meeting on Lake Garda, the event has long been seen as the biggest single class regatta in the world and holds the world record (over 1400 optimists). This year the numbers were down but still a healthy 800 plus boats were in attendance from 46 countries! The different countries competing was impressive with the standard strong European sailing nations there (like Germany, Italy, and France), But then also a host of lesser-known sailing countries like Turkmenistan, Libya and Bulgaria, The regatta was attended from all continents with strong representation from Brazil, Mexico the USA and China.

Arriving a few days before Easter both boys joined the optimist squad from Malcesine yacht club, a neighbouring club on the lake. This was a great experience and the italian kids’ part of this team were all super welcoming and made the boys feel part of the squad straight away. The local kids ranged from 7yr olds lightweights to 14yr old “veterans” and were all confident sailors in the usual afternoon “ORA” Lake wind that regularly blows over 20 knots…most of the Italian kids sail 5-6 days a week during the summer months, so the learning curve happens very quick!. The other noticeable thing with the group was the real team culture as they all rush to help each other launch and retrieve boats and encourage each other on the water.

Onto the regatta, day 1 greeted the sailors with a cold breeze off the snow-capped mountains, combined with rain, 11 degrees water temp and the array of boats and languages (especially from the excitable parents!) in the rigging lawn it was quite a sight and gave some butterflies in the stomach. Both boys took to the water in their respective fleets with the regatta broken up into 5 fleets of 140-150 boats. There day was mixed but after its completion both Finn and Alex were now comfortable with what lied ahead.

The following 3 days of the regatta had a mix of condition from 8 – 20 knots, highlights for both boys was top 10 finishes on the last day in there respective fleets, the racing was super well organised with spectators/parents being able to follow the optimists on the meta sail app in real time as all optimist were fitted with GPS trackers plus notifications of their positions were sent through WhatsApp at each mark rounding.

Overall, Finn finished 14^th in the Emerald fleet (145 boats) and his younger brother Alex 28^th overall in the pearl fleet (146 boats), both loved it and as is so often the case would love another chance to compete there given what they learnt during the regatta (bearing in mind they have no concept of what it all costs! 😊). They would like to specially thank long term RQYS member Scott Webster who splits his time sailing on lake Garda and living in Germany for his support whilst over there, and Greg Black for his advice beforehand from previous youth regatta experiences on the Lake.. finally, the awesome coaching team at RQYS headed up by Adrian. The experience showed the boys how unique and far reaching the sailing community is and the opportunities that it provides through the people you meet along the way. Also, the uniqueness of the optimist as a junior class and the fact you can pretty much hop in a boat anywhere in the world and compete .

Both boys look forward to what lies ahead on their sailing journey

Cheers,

Josh Walker

(Donor, Rental Car Driver, Dad)