20:00, Sunday 3 April, Nautical Club Kalamaki, Alimos, Greece.
OPTIMUM Academy invited six dinghy sailors aged between 17 to 18 years to race on Dehler 30od OPTIMUM 4 during the weekend. The youngsters had the opportunity to taste sailing on board a super modern production racer and introduced to competitive offshore racing by Team OPTIMUM co-principal Periklis Livas. As such, OPTIMUM 4 competed on Saturday in the “LAGUSSES- FLEVES 2022”, a 24-mile coastal race finishing 2nd, followed by another 22-mile coastal on Sunday in memory of sailor friend Yannis Karapetis, posting 4th place on the scoreboard.
“A bunch of us, since our optimist years and now on Lasers and 420s, wanted to sail together on a “big boat” for the fun and the experience. So Vasilis, arranged our group to become the first scholars of the OPTIMUM Academy that aims to share Team OPTIMUM spirit, passion and knowledge in offshore sailing. We had lots of fun, especially surfing down in 15 knots boat speed from Fleves to Faliro. We had the opportunity to realize that good camaraderie, patience and persistence is of paramount importance sailing offshore boats and the goal is to return home happy and smiling independently of the result. The Dehler 30od was sensational to sail, very responsive and sensitive in crew weight positioning like in the dinghies. No wonder it was among the favorite candidates for Olympic selection. We are looking forward to get back for more soon”, says enthusiastically Nikos Stavropoulos Jr.
“It was a touching experience for me. My son called up a few sailor friends including Nikos Stavropoulos Jr. to get the OPTIMUM Academy dream going. Nikos Stavropoulos Sr. has introduced me and Team OPTIMUM co-Principal Nikos Lazos in offshore sailing back in 1981 on the Dehler DB1 MARVIN of Stamatis Lazos, Niko’s father. When Vasilis and Nikos Jr. started sailing optimists more than a decade ago, I remember talking with Nikos Sr., how nice would be our children enjoy their sailing and some day when they grow up, race altogether on an offshore boat. Well it happened this past weekend and it was on a Dehler again. Three generations on board, Nikos Sr., myself and our children with their mates, a dream come true”, admits Periklis Livas of OPTIMUM Academy.
The OPTIMUM Academy is enthused that Lefteris Grispos, Aristos Stamatiadis, Pavlos Piperakis, Christos Stathas, Nikos Stavropoulos Jr. and Vasilis Livas, all of whom talented and successful dinghy sailors, committed their time and effort and sailed OPTIMUM 4 passionately in true OPTIMUM spirit from start to finish both days. The future belongs to young gentlemen and ladies like them and the Academy will secure sponsors to provide scholarships for the youth that are keen to try competitive offshore sailing. OPTIMUM Academy graduates may find their way on board OPTIMUM S, Team OPTIMUM’s new weapon Carkeek 47 that is currently being assembled in N.C.Kalamaki after its long trip on a cargo ship all the way from Australia.