Cool heads and team solidarity

Optimist – Interleague – Fos sur Mer

30 March to 1 April

Yacht Club de Monaco’s Optimist team demonstrated remarkable cohesion at this big event. Although conditions were difficult to say the least on the first two days with winds up to 28 to 40 knots, contestants finally got out and made the most of the calmer weather on Monday with back-to-back races in 6 to 13 knot breezes.

There were three races in the more junior Benjamin group and four in the older Minime category. Among 48 participants in the Benjamins, Joséphine Dobbelaere produced a fine performance to clinch 10^th overall and 3^rd girl, followed by Pietro Carlevaris in 20^th, Jules Huon 25^th, Louis Faivre 27^th, Louis Pompée 30^th, Victor Holst 35^th, Mona Benchekroun 39^th, Sacha Mousny 43^rd and Anastasyia Verpeka 45^th. In the Minimes, out of 87 contestants, Alexandra Santelli came 38^th overall, followed by Frederik Holst 42^nd and Facundo Rubinelli 59^th.

More than just a competition, the meeting highlighted the importance of team togetherness in sporting success as YCM Optimist coach Margaux Meslin explains: “They kept cool heads despite races being cancelled on the first two days. They stayed focused from start to finish, discussing the weather conditions and giving each other advice. It was a pleasure to see them sailing like this”.