As the Guernsey RS Feva sailors travel to Brittany for the ALLEN RS Feva World Championship, the younger Optimist sailors head north for the Volvo Musto Optimist British National and Open Championship. Over the course of next week, eleven Guernsey Optimist juniors will be among the approximately 500 sailors battling it out for the National Championship titles at the 2012 Olympic waters of Weymouth.

Of the eleven Guernsey sailors, four will be in the main fleets and the other seven in the regatta fleets. The championship will start with measurement and registration on Saturday followed by a practice race and the Opening Ceremony on Sunday before the regatta kicks off on Monday morning.

For the main fleets, a twelve race series is scheduled over five days with the National champions being crowned next Friday. The regatta fleet will sail more but shorter races and will also have coaching sessions and the popular sail-away day on the program.

In the 13-15 year-olds senior main fleet, the Guernsey hopes are with National Intermediate Squad sailor Clementine Thompson and Development Squad sailors Poppy Rickards and Sam Crosby whereas Tom Lees who will make his main fleet debut will be flying the flag in the upto 12 year-olds junior fleet.

Among the regatta fleet sailors there are many who have made great progress over the season and they will not only benefit from the experience and joy of a major championship but will also stand very good chances of performing well.
Given the success at last year’s National Championship it may be challenging to put in a repeat performance. But don’t be surprised if we see the Guernsey youngsters excel again!

Best of luck to all the Optimist sailors! Enjoy the sailing, the social activities and the opportunity to race at the 2012 Olympic venue!

Follow the event on the IOCA event website www.kbsuk.com/Optimist/IOCAEvents/index.asp?EventID=26 and on the GYC Junior blog www.gycjuniors.wordpress.com.