#OPTI – In a further boost for Irish Optimist hopes at this year's world championships, Kerry's 14-year old Sophie Browne finished in the important top quarter of the pre-worlds event, taking 21st from 214 starters in today's final rounds of the Harken Invitational Regatta at Napier, New Zealand (See promo video below). The world championships start tomorrow at the same venue.
Browne, the sole Irish contender is among a strong female line up for the start of tomorrow's Optimist World Championships. The invitational Harken regatta precdes the worlds and it got off to a challenging start for many international sailors competing.
Many teams have used the Invitational Regatta as a way to acclimatise their sailors to New Zealand sailing conditions and the challenges of racing within a large fleet format where more than 200 boats were competing within a fairly tight area.
After a slight delayed start due the last minute sign up from a large number of sailors, the weather was perfect for a good day sailing, between 8 - 10 knots sea breeze. After race 2 the wind picked up to 15 - 18 knots, as predicted, and made some rough sailing.
214 sailors from 33 different countries headed out to sea this morning, all keen to get into it.
Provisional results show that the only male in Team Singapore won the first race. The second race was won by Chilean girl Franasco Ducasse and the third race was won by American sailor Marshall William who finished first in the last race with Chilean girl Franasco Ducasse the overall leader after four races.
The sailor holding the second position overall is another female, Justina Pacheco from the Dominican Republic.
