Optimist SE Dinghy Champs

Liza Toppa, Nico Shultz and Alie Toppa

© Viviana Vega

43th Southeast Dinghy Championship
Key Biscayne Yacht Club
April 6-7, 2012

On Easter weekend, the Key Biscayne Yacht Club hosted the 43th Southeast Championship for the Optimist Class with more than 108 sailors registered  between the Green and RWB combined.  This regatta gathered some of the best opti sailors in the country that sailed under very tough weather and wind conditions.  Specially on the first day of racing when the wind picked up during the day to 30kts sustained and gusting up to 35kts with some isolated showers and very choppy conditions with the RC running a total of 3 races.

For the second day of racing the wind speed decreased and changed in direction so all sailors had an easier day out on the water with winds averaging 15kts...still a little bit too windy for some of the lightest sailors on the championship course.  Four more races were sailed and with that a discard kicked in.  At the end of the day our Team Blue sailors, Nico Shultz (P5), from Team For won the regatta...followed by Lauderdale Yacht Club sailors, Alie Toppa (CZero5) on 2nd, Liza Toppa (DZero6) on 3rd and Eduardo Mintzias (DZero6) on 4th.

Congratulations to all Team Blue Sailors that attended this event!  Look forward to seeing you all at Brant Beach, NJ in couple of weeks for the UsODA Team Trials.

Learn more about the North designs for the Optimist class.