Hall of Fame

2020 - European Championships, Slovenia

Nicola Sadler gets a top ten finish in the Optimist Europeans Girls fleet held in Potoroz, Slovenia.

The Optimist Europeans girl’s fleet consisting of 113 sailors sailed a qualifying series over 3 days. The qualifying series split the girls into 2 fleets. These fleets are re organized each day based on the day’s results.

After 6 races and a combined result the fleet was split into Gold and Silver groups for a 5 race final sailed over 2 days. Bringing the total duration of the regatta to 5 days.  Being late in the year the summer sea breezes were very weak and therefore all the races where in light to super light air. Ranging from 3 -8 knots.

Nicola sailed a relatively consistent event with a qualifying score line of 15, 4, 4, (33), 12, 8. As you can imagine it is easy to find yourself deep down the fleet in the shifty light air conditions.

2019 - World Championships, Antigua

Ian Walker was outstanding at the Optimist World Championship in Antigua in July, finishing in 5th place overall from a fleet of 255. To my knowledge this is the best finish by a South African Optimist Sailor at Worlds.

Overall Results

South Africa's Ian Walker - World Optimist Championships 2019
Ian welcomed home by fans, friends and family.

South Africa's Ian Walker - 5th at the World Optimist Championships 2019
South Africa's Ian Walker - 5th at the World Optimist Championships 2019

2017 - Youth Nationals, Midmar, Kwazulu Natal

From left to right: 1st place & National Champion - Ian Walker; 2nd place - Matt Ashwell; 3rd place - Sean Kavanagh; 6th place & First Girl - Nicola Sadler

President's Award 2017

Bryan Carstens recipient of the President's Award for 2017. Awarded to Bryan for being the highest placed South African at the 2017 African Optimist Championships sailed in Egypt

President's Award 2016

Pictured with Matt are Craig Leslie (Manager Optimist Sailing SA) and Shellee Nel (Secretary Optimist Sailing SA).

Matt Ashwell, recipient of the President’s Award for the best International Achievement – 2nd overall at the Optimist African Championships 2016, Luanda, Angola.

 

Sailor of the Month - December 2016

As published in 'SAILING for Southern Africa' - December 2016

2016 - Youth Nationals, Theewater, Western Cape

Winners A Fleet: 1st girl – Chiara Fruet, 2nd – Ian Walker, 1st – Matt Ashwell, 3rd – Alex Falcon

2012 - African Optimist Championships, Tanzania

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David Wilson - winner of the African Optimist Championships 2012 in Tanzania

2012 - Youth Nationals, Pine Lake Marina, Sedgefield

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1st Calvin Gibbs; 2nd Georgou Divaris; 3rd Arin Long
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1st Girl - Kirsten Clarke

2011 - All Africa Games, Mozambique

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1st Optimist Boys - David Wilson
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2nd Optimist Girl - Emma Clark

2011 - Youth Nationals, Hermanus

1st Daniel Spratley; 2nd David Wilson; 3rd Emma French

2011 - Team RSA, Optimist Worlds, New Zealand

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