Team OPTIMUM concluded yesterday its participation in the fall series by competing in “HYDRA Race” organized by Yacht Club Greece. It is considered a classic coastal/offshore race from Piraeus to Hydra Island and back (36 miles each way) during the National Holiday of “28th October” that marks the end of sailing racing at fall. We managed a poor 29th position, mainly due to the very light downwind conditions in both races in which the boats coming from behind were favored big time. As such, the race was won by the smallest rated boat in the fleet, a J24 that posted 1,1 on the scoreboard and we suffered the most as we were the largest rated… We feel good only because we managed to win our sistership Farr 520 by sailing smart and avoiding risks in our strategy and because we had three fully sunny days that you could enjoy swimming too in Hydra!
Also, in the last weekend of September, we raced in “P. Sgouros Race” organized by Piraeus Sailing Club. The race consisted of a double scoring coastal race with a scoring gate at about midpoint on Saturday, where we scored 4th and 11th and three Windward/Leeward races on Sunday where we posted 4, 1, and 4 and in total ended up in 5th place. It was the first time we competed in closed quarters around buoys with the bowsprit and the new XXL spinnakers and we addressed few more modifications we need to do on the deck layout that will help our performance. I must note that at this point of time, we have experienced our new XXL sail plan only once and offshore during the Aegean Rally, so racing miles in short confined courses is another “art” to master for the OPTIMUM crew.
In addition, the first weekend of October we intended to compete in “Str. Andeadis Race” organized by Yacht Club Paleon Faliro”. It consisted of only W/L races for both days and the idea was to sharpen our skills exactly as we said above, in confined courses… However, at the first start of the first race on Saturday, we had a collision with another competing yacht and we had to return fast in our base in Kalamaki to make sure the damage we sustained was not structural but cosmetic. The boat was immediately lifted out of the water and although our builder examined the damage and said it was only on the surface skin of the carbon hull and not structural; our decision was to effect repairs as soon as possible and cancel racing for Sunday too.
Last but very important is that our call for interested men under 30 to join the OPTIMUM Team for 2014, had significant turnout not only in numbers but quality too. As such, we have met and got to know most of the guys, and arrange to try each other on board OPTIMUM 3 during the Winter Series organized by Yacht Club Greece and take place all the weekends of November. See you all out there….!!!