Issue date
The 2017 Interislander Optimist Challenge and the Port Marlborough Starling Championships had record numbers last weekend, so much so the open Optimist regatta is now the biggest event in the country behind the Optimist national championships.
There were 114 competitors in the open fleet, 50 in the green and rainbow fleets as well as 38 sailors in the Satrling fleet, with the majority travelling to Picton from the North Island. The North Island retained the Interislander challenge trophy.
The rainbow and green fleet competitions were sailed in front of the Queen Charlotte Yacht Club and the open and Starling fleets in the outer harbour.
Seb Menzies (Murrays Bay Sailing Club) won the Optimist open fleet, taking home the Interislander trophy, from George Lee Rush (Wakatere Boating Club) and David Buchanan (Charteris Bay Yacht Club).
The green fleet was won by Sean Kensington from Kohimarama Yacht Club.
Luke Cashmere (Wakatere Boating Club) and Oliver Cowley (Queen Charlotte Yacht Club) ended with the same points in the Starling fleet but Cashmere took first place on countback.
The weather and wind conditions proved challenging for many. The first day initially featured gusty winds (many capsized trying to get to the start area) and rain but ended with little wind (some didn't finish the third race inside the designated time); the second day saw light winds and the third warm temperatures and a developing breeze. The final day saw race one of the green and rainbow fleets sailed together when about 50 Optimists were cheered on by support crew on the water and hundreds of spectators off it, which was a real highlight for many youngsters.
The Interislander is now in its ninth year and has become an important feature on the New Zealand sailing calendar. It has also helped in the development of local race management and judges - there are now four local judges and a good number of quality race management personnel. It is also a fun event for both sailors and supporters to travel to a regatta of this nature and is a boost to the local area.
Next season the QCYC members and volunteers will need to perform twice: once for the 2018 Interislander Optimist Challenge, which doubles as the pre-nationals, and again at Easter for the 2018 NZIODA national championships.
