Strong Female Line Up for Harken Invitational Regatta

It was a challenging first day for many international sailors competing in the Harken Invitational Regatta for Optimist sailors.

After a slight delayed start due the last minute sign up from a large number of sailors, the weather was perfect for a good day sailing, between 8 - 10 knots sea breeze. After race 2 the wind picked up to 15 - 18 knots, as predicted, and made some rough sailing.

214 sailors from 33 different countries headed out to sea this morning, all keen to get into it.

Provisional results show that the only male in Team Singapore won the first race. The second race was won by Chilean girl Franasco Ducasse and the third race was won by American sailor Marshall William who finished first in the last race with Chilean girl Franasco Ducasse the overall leader after four races.

The sailor holding the second position overall is another female, Justina Pacheco from the Dominican Republic.

Tomorrow promises some interesting races with strong winds predicted again around 1300 (1.00 pm) when the first race will start. It is also expected that racing will be tight amongst the competitors as they become familiar with the local conditions.

There is an spectator boat for the public going out close to the racing with tickets available at the Napier Sailing Club, but for those that are not so keen on being out on the water, there is live streaming at the Club, and people can watch it in comfort for free. There is even a blog on www.optiworldsnz.org.nz providing a commentary of the sailing each day during the racing.

Apart from the racing, there are many other activities organised for the public. Yachting New Zealand has provided a number of Optimist Dinghies and the public is invited to have a go themselves. A ride in the Waka is a must for a real New Zealand experience, and there will also be a Farmers Market on Monday morning 2nd January.

The public is invited to come down to the Sound Shell in Napier for the Official Opening Ceremony on 31 December 5pm. People can watch the racing on the beach on Hardinge Road, or come down to the Fan Zone at the Napier Sailing Club for replays of the races and mixing with the 48 nationalities taking part.

www.optiworldsnz.com