11th Monaco Optimist Team Race 

 

The clock is ticking down to the start of the 11th Monaco Optimist Team Race, organised by the Yacht Club de Monaco with support from FxPro, Eventica, Fon, clothing supplier SLAM and the boatyard Erplast. Eighty under-14 sailors representing 18 nations are set to do battle in the qualifying round-robin stage that takes up the first three days.

 

Art of communication

Before tackling the serious stuff, six teams (Germany, Ukraine, China, The Netherlands, France and Monaco) seized the opportunity to get up to speed at an International Clinic held in English before the event proper begins.

 

 

Led by British umpire Chris Atkins, the warm-up was an excellent chance for participants to size-up the team race competition, soak up the atmosphere and make the most of this experience. Accustomed to officiating at numerous World and European Championships, Chris Atkins continues to pass on his passion and expertise to the youngest be it starting procedures, race rules, communication or team work.

 

His strength is being able to simplify aspects that can be difficult to grasp, as Margaux Meslin comments: “He has the gift of making everything related to competitive sailing comprehensible, so that the kids can very quickly absorb and use the information on the water”. Margot is the coach for the Monegasque team which this year comprises Noah Garcia, Leonardo Bonelli, and Alessandro and Matteo Asscher.

 

 

With 8 knots of wind and nearly four hours of training a day conditions were optimal for learning and putting into practice the tips taken onboard ashore, enough to boost their confidence before the start.

 

The qualifying phase which starts tomorrow will set the tone for the meeting, bringing the favourites to the fore from the 190 match races scheduled on the Monegasque race area. Two courses will be set up to ensure all races can take place in the time.

 


MOTR programme (subject to change):

 

Thursday 9th January Friday 10th January Saturday 11th January Sunday 12th January
8.30-10.00am: Registration

9.30am:           Opening Ceremony

12 noon:          First warning signal

 9.00am:            Briefing

10.00am:          First warning signal

After racing:   Debriefing

 9.00am:            Briefing

10.00am:          First warning signal

After racing:   Debriefing

  

9.00am:            Briefing

10.00am:          First warning signal

3.15pm:           Last warning signal

4.00pm:           Prize-giving