Little Tornadoes Make Splashing Statements At The 2nd SAFYC Optimist Championship

There was great anticipation in the Club for one of the most-watched-for Optimist events of the year – the 2nd SAFYC Optimist Championship. Fleets of optimists together with their distinctive sails arrived at the SAF Yacht Club by the truck-loads from sailing centres around Singapore. Months and weeks of vigorous training are expected to bear fruits through this competition of brawn and intellect .

TParents and their children made their way to the Changi Clubhouse well before the first race of the day on both 10 & 11 March 2007. Amidst the healthy buzz of conversation, the sailors rigged their boats and prepared themselves for the competition ahead.

A total of 164 sailors took part in this year’s Optimist Championship, an increase of 20 from the previous year. The sight of so many Optimist sails congregated at the launch area made for excellent photographic opportunities to commemorate the event.

At 2pm sharp, Race 1 started and the sailors set off in their quest to be the winners in the 2nd SAFYC Optimist Championship. Just as one thought that things were going perfectly, the first race was abandoned because one marker buoy went adrift. Though slightly disappointed at having their leads cut short, the sailors duly made their way back to the start line. Fortunately, all other races went smoothly from then on and Mother Nature did her best to assist the sailors by providing bright skies throughout both days.