Wraysbury Lake SC's Optimist Club
Race Results
Here you will find information and results for all the Club Optimist Race Series. Downloadable PDF files are also available for each of the following series.
Follow this link for the latest Open report and results.
Follow this link for results of Oppies saiing in main fleet races in 2007.
Series results |
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| LAMBS Spring | SWANS | SWANS Summer | SWANS Regatta Final | SWALLOWS Autumn |
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The LAMBS Spring SeriesRun over five Sundays through March and April. A series of ten races (two races each Sunday) run for a combined Gold and Silver Fleet, with seven races counted in the final results - the winner wins the LAMBS Trophy. Lollies And Mars BarS (LAMBS) Prizes are awarded to each competitor each weekend based on finishing positions in each race, and performance improvement compared to the previous weekends performance. LAMBS Series Results available here: Lambs 2007and from previous years - Lambs 2006 & Lambs 2005 |
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The SWANS Summer SeriesRuns from May through to early September. This is a series of ten races run with separate Gold and Silver Fleets, with seven races counted in the final results. The winner of the series in each fleet wins the Taylor-Beth Trophy. In addition, individual race winners win a WHATS Hat (Wraysbury Hat And Trophy Series), which gives automatic qualification to the WHATS Final - a 3 race, one day, regatta in September. Only one hat can be won per season, so if a race winner has won a hat already during the current season the highest placed non hat winner wins the Hat for that race Swans results for 2007 are hereand for prior years (2006) are here. |
Go - WHATS Final 2003 |
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The SWANS Regatta FinalA one day event held in early September to mark the end of the summer and back to school. A three race regatta with separate Gold and Silver Fleets, with the main prize being the WHATS Trophy (the best prize in the Wraysbury Optimist Fleet). Other prizes are also awarded across both fleets. WHATS Series and Finals Results currently available here:
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The SWALLOWS Autumn SeriesRun over five Sundays from October to early December. A series of ten races (two races each Sunday) run for a combined Gold and Silver Fleet, with seven races counted in the final results - the winner wins the SWALLOWS Trophy. SWeets And LOllieS (SWALLOWS) Prizes are awarded to each competitor each weekend based on finishing positions in each race, and performance improvement compared to the previous weekends performance. SWALLOWS Results available here:- Swallows series Autumn 2007 And previous results here:- |
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Race Reports
Here you will find Information Reports and Results from events attended by the Wraysbury Optimist Fleet.
Reports currently available :
Inland National Championships 2008
Main fleet results
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Regatta fleet results
Quick link to Optimist Inland National championship results is here. |
2008 Optimist Open Meeting
May 10th 2008
Your results are here, race report to follow.
2007 Optimist Open Meeting
June 23 rd saw Wraysbury Lake hold its 2007 Optimist Open meeting. Maybe the less than ideal weather forecast, or the ever more busy class fixture list kept away a few of the regulars, but still some 35 boats turned up for the event.
The day started with a light but steady westerly breeze and no rain, and the first two races got away on time - using most of the lake. In the main fleet, the battle for the front was quickly established, with Ollie Cooper and Chris Taylor from Wraysbury, Tim Gratton from Hayling, Josh Tolley from Papercourt and Katie Russell from Burghfield all battling it out. The top places changed regularly as race one progressed, and eventually Ollie emerged as the winner, with Chris second and Tim third. The second race was initially dominated by Josh Tolley, who built a commanding lead. This is lake sailing, however, and the shifts meant it was never all over, and eventually Chris managed to reel Josh in to win the race, with Josh in second and Tim in third. Only just behind, Katie Russell was building a consistent series with two fourth's, followed by Josh Voller, James Taylor and Duncan Hampshire.
The Regatta fleet sailed the same course, following the main fleet from the line. Whilst competition at the front of the fleet was fierce, for a number of the sailors this was their first taste of Open Meeting competition - and all did very well coping with the vagaries of lake sailing. Both of the first two races were won by nine year old Jennifer Cropley - with Amy Jenkins second in race 1, whilst Esther Fenton-Jones from Papercourt was second in race 2. Elizabeth Greagg just behind with a consistent two third places.
A lunchtime downpour killed off the wind completely. The breeze slowly returned but swung to the South, but was very unstable, causing the PRO some anxious moments. Eventually, on a reconfigured course, and in a light shifty breeze, Race 3 got underway. The main fleet herd were clearly spooked - requiring a general recall. Away at the second attempt, and with the discard due to kick in, a tense battle developed for the regatta, with places changing regularly at the front - especially between Ollie Cooper and Chris Taylor. In the end Ollie grabbed the lead on the last lap and held on to win the race and regatta, Tim Gratton finished the race second with Chris third whilst Katie continued a theme to finish fourth. In the Regatta fleet, Jennifer managed to capsize, and the race was won by Emily Gent from Warsash, with Esther Fenton-Jones second and Callum Tolley of Papercourt third
Overall results
Main Fleet:
1 st : Ollie Cooper - Wraysbury Lake SC
2 nd : Chris Taylor - Wraysbury Lake SC
3 rd : Tim Gratton - Hayling Island
4 th : Josh Tolley - Papercourt
Regatta Fleet:
1 st :Jennifer Cropley - Warsash
2 nd : Esther Fenton-Jones - Papercourt
3 rd : Amy Jenkins - Papercourt
Full results available at: http://www.optimistsailing.org.uk/new/home.htm
2006 Optimist Open Meetings
This year, not satisfied with one annual Optimist Open meeting, Wraysbury hosted TWO in honour of our 50th anniversary. The second meeting on 16th September attracted exactly 50 boats.
50 th Anniversary Optimist Open Meeting – Saturday 16 th September 2006
Not happy with holding our usual one annual Optimist Open Meeting, Wraysbury Lake ran a second event on 16 th September at the request of the RYA, as they needed an extra event to support their South East Zone Squad Selection process. The Optimist Fleet happily stepped forward, and the well-oiled machine geared up under guidance from David Baddeley for the event. Seeing as it is the club’s 50 th Anniversary, it made sense to designate the event as the 50 th Anniversary Optimist Open Meeting, and as luck would have it guess how many sailors arrived for the event …. 50!!
There were many anxious phone calls and e.mails flying around in the days leading up to the event as the forecast suggested little wind, and the prospect of a selection event with no races loomed. However, Saturday dawned, and although it was a little overcast, there was a light breeze which was to hold for most of the day.
Twelve intrepid Wraysbury sailors arrived to do battle with the visitors, with several venturing into the main fleet for the first time in order to satisfy the Zone Squad qualification criteria, whilst one or two others were entering an Open Meeting for the first time. Following the traditional welcomes from Bruce Snelling (as flotilla leader) and David (event organiser), it was Phil Taylor who got on with the serious stuff – the racing.
He had a tricky job with the fickle, fluctuating light northerly / north westerly breeze, but three races were completed for both the Main and Regatta Fleets. The start line was laid near Buoy 5 for a beat up to a laid windward mark between 7 and 8, with the zig-zag course bringing the fleet back down the lake eventually to Buoy 3 (laid right down towards the village, and a beat up to another laid mark below the clubhouse.
Race 1 got underway more or less on time at 11.00am, and Oliver Cooper was clean away near the committee boat. He, and a group of five others, gradually pulled out a reasonable lead from the next bunch of 12 or so, where David Paul and Robert Baddeley were fighting for clear air, and further back James Taylor, Jamie Webb and Elizabeth Gregg were trying hard too. Oliver showed excellent light wind sailing skills – well controlled roll tacks, and very little movement in the boat, thus keeping his sail filled and the boat driving at all times as he pulled away to win Race 1, with David in 12 th and Robert 13 th.
In the Regatta Fleet, Wraysbury looked like taking a clean sweep in Race 1 with Mimi El Kazindar eventually getting the better of Jonathan Baddeley, Katie Harper and Jenny Smallwood. Alex Smallwood meanwhile (youngest and lightest in the fleet) was coming through strongly too, eventually finishing 6 th, with Grant Snelling in 10 th.
Race 2 was run back to back after Race 1, and Oliver really had to fight hard for a lap or so before eventually winning by a small margin, with David Paul gaining an excellent 4th. Jenny Smallwood started to find her own form, winning race 2 in the Regatta Fleet. Lunch followed, as the wind dropped and for a while it looked like there would be no more racing.
Thankfully prayers were answered, and a new breeze filled in eventually from the north west, and on a new course, Race 3 was underway. Oliver got caught at the wrong end of the line, and he really had to work very hard to get some clear air, but with a favourable lift he climbed to 3 rd at the first mark. On the first run he then gained second and then first …. and then sailed away from the fleet to record the largest winning margin of the day. Robert gained an 11 th and David was 12 th. In the Regatta Fleet Wraysbury really got their act together for the final race …. eventually finishing with the clean sweep – Jenny 1 st, Jonathan 2 nd, Mimi 3 rd, Grant 4 th, Alex 5 th and Katie 6 th – the visitors had had enough!! At one point in this race the overall result here was totally in the balance with any one of Jenny, Jonathan or Mimi being the potential winner depending on where they finished.
Sadly, with the delays at lunchtime waiting for the breeze, there was no time for a fourth race, so the competitors packed away their boats and prepared for the Prize Giving, the traditional Oppie Tea, and the even more traditional speech by the winning sailor, Oliver Cooper, who in his first ever such speech thanked anyone and everyone for a great days sailing. It was a tricky day, but the Wraysbury race team did a great job, and everyone returned home happy.Saturday 10 th June 2006
Despite the growing anticipation of England’s first World Cup match, 68 sailors - from as far a field as Bristol, arrived in bright sunshine to compete at Wraysbury Lake, demonstrating the continued growth of the class. The field was split with 26 competing in the Main fleet and an amazing (and perhaps daunting) 42 in the Regatta fleet.
Principle race Officer Phil Taylor set an interesting course which allowed the competitors to explore all areas of the lake, and the warm sunshine and a steady Force 3 to 4 breeze providing ideal conditions. Tim Gratton (Hayling Island) got off to a promising start winning race one in the main fleet in a closely contested finish from Oliver Cooper (Wraysbury Lake). However in race two, Aaron Smith (Papercourt) dominated the fleet to win the second race from Oliver. In the Regatta fleet, the gusting wind proved too much for several less experienced competitors, however Anne Loes Boers (Papercourt) sailed to confident victory in front of Thomas O’Leary (Queensmead). The second race was won by Xavier Morrison (Papercourt).
After lunch (and the start of the football….) a further two races saw the winners of race two in each fleet dominate, each winning races three and four decisively – Aaron Smith taking the main fleet trophy, with Oliver Cooper in second place on his home water, whilst Xavier Morrison triumphed in the Regatta Fleet with Anne Loes Boers in runner up spot. Prizes, which were kindly donated by the Dinghy Store, Datchet, were presented by Ben Cooper Chairman of IOCA and Vice Commodore of Wraysbury| Main fleet results | Printable version of report | Regatta results |
Some sailors succumbed to the temptation of watching England's opening Football World Cup game!
2005 Optimist Open Meeting
Saturday 18 th June 2005
Optimist Thames Valley Championships
The 2005 Optimist Thames Valley Area Championship was held at Wraysbury Lake Sailing Club on 18th June, run concurrently with its annual Open Meeting, with 52 sailors from ten different clubs competing in an exciting day’s sailing in near perfect conditions. A steady force two combined with the hottest day of the year so far helped the younger sailors gain confidence whilst allowing the more experienced ones to finesse their boat-handling skills in the shifty conditions.Figure eight courses around the lake gave plenty of opportunity for overtaking, with some crowded mark roundings. In the Main fleet of 35, Matthew Goacher (Weirwood) made an excellent start, winning the first race from local sailor Adrian Clay. Aaron Smith (Papercourt) was always in the hunt, and proceeded to sail away from the fleet in Race 2. |
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Following a quick lunch, two further races were completed, on a slightly altered course and in a strengthening breeze. Aaron Smith dominated the afternoon with two more wins, chased by Adrian Clay and Guy Stephens (Bowmoor). Aaron Smith’s dominance gave him first place in both the Thames Valley Area Championship and the Open Meeting, winning a shield originally presented by Wraysbury Lake SC and Littleton SC in 1989. Guy Stephens sailed a consistent series to finish second and Adrian Clay gave the home club some cheer with third overall.
The regatta fleet, consisting of 17 less experienced sailors, followed the main fleet on the same course for all four races. Duncan Hampshire from Papercourt was a commanding winner counting two firsts and a second, whilst competition for the minor placings was eagerly fought; eight year old James Taylor (Wraysbury), Murray Hampshire and Samantha Bonella (both Papercourt), all showed promise with the latter two winning a race each. In the end Samantha clinched second with James third on count-back.
Prizes were presented by Club Commodore Phil Taylor. These included a foil bag and other useful Optimist and sailing accessories most generously donated by the Dinghy Store at Datchet Water.
Bruce Snelling
Optimist Open Thames Valley Results
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2004 Optimist Open Meeting
Optimist Open Meeting 2004 results are here
The forecast of gales and heavy rain probably put off many from travelling to Wraysbury Lake on Sunday 3 rd October for its annual Optimist Open Meeting; 40 did attend, with many making a weekend of it, having taken part in the South East/Thames Valley Open Training on the Saturday. The weather however, totally contradicted the predictions, and the organisers were presented with a grey calm morning very different to a year ago when 85 boats arrived on a breezy and glorious sunny autumn day . In a flukey southerly breeze the main fleet of 30 got away cleanly under the watchful eye of race officer, Dave Holloway. The first race developed into a battle between Mark Lees (Poole), Ben Gratton (Hayling) and local sailor Adrian Clay, with the whole fleet close behind. |
Adrian Clay – WLSC member– Winner of Race 1 |
Adrian Clay used his local knowledge well, and soon gained a good lead to win a shortened first race with Matthew Goacher (Weirwood) finishing strongly in second. The second race was sailed using the same course, and with the whole fleet eager to gain clear air in the light conditions it was not surprising that the first recalls of the day were signalled – Ben Gratton one of the unfortunate ones who failed to re-cross the line correctly. Adrian Clay was soon in contention again with Oliver White (Papercourt) and Mark Lees pressing hard, but this time Stuart Godwin (Bowmoor) got the better of them all to win. Lunch saw the clubhouse bursting as a dank drizzle fell on the lake, but the breeze filled in allowing for a longer third race in the afternoon. Stuart Godwin gained a commanding lead, with Mark Lees the only one to escape a chasing pack of 10 boats, to come second. The battle for third was extremely close with local sailors Oliver Cooper and Chris Taylor using their local knowledge well to gain places, but eventually Matthew Goacher slipped through to take third overall. With no time for a fourth race, Stuart Godwin came out on top, with Adrian Clay second (top Wraysbury boat), and Matthew Goacher squeezing into third just edging out Mark Lees. The regatta fleet sailed the same courses as the main fleet but with fewer laps. Seven of the ten entrants were from the home club, and a home win maybe beckoned, but no-one told Jonathan Evans (Royal Victoria) who was a commanding winner with three first places – in the last race he even caught some of the main fleet back markers. Three Wraysbury boats battled for the minor placings - Michael Horne, Ben Mills and seven year old James Taylor each gained a second place, but overall Michael Horne clinched second with Ben third. Overall it was once again a very successful day with twelve Wraysbury boats competing in total across the two fleets, illustrating the progress the flotilla is making, and we look forward to welcoming new and old visitors again in 2005. Prizes were presented by Club Commodore Phil Taylor, and Optimist Fleet Captain Ben Cooper. Huge thanks must also go to all the parents of the Wraysbury sailors and others who helped to make the day run smoothly and efficiently. |
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For further information, please contact the Fleet Captain
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