Yachting: Just the beginning for the Optimists

Picture / Paul Estcourt

Making it across the startline in one piece is half the battle for the 235 young yachties competing in the national Optimist championships at Torbay.

The five-day fleet racing regatta, which started on Friday, has attracted a grand total of 235 competitors - 180 of whom are battling out a 15-race series for the national title in the open class. The rest are competing in a beginners' fleet.

Designed for children aged between 9 and 15, the Optimist regatta has attracted sailors from throughout New Zealand as well as Australia, New Caledonia and Tahiti. The top five sailors will represent New Zealand at the world Optimist championships in Uruguay and the next five will go to the Asian championships.