2024 VIODA Team Racing Championships

On Sunday, VIODA and Albert Park Sailing Club hosted the first Victorian Team Racing Optimist Championships. It was a great turnout with 20 Intermediate Fleet sailors and 16 in Open. In the morning, sailors got an introduction to Team Racing by coaches, and we had names pulled out of a hat to form teams for the day. Open fleet did racing all day, and intermediate fleet had a coaching session in the morning followed by racing in the afternoon. It was a working lunch with parents cooking up snags and sailors getting an umpire debrief by Luke Tupper and the other VIODA coaches.

After two round robins, there were 4 teams that were clearly ahead, two teams with 8 wins and two teams with 10 wins. Tate Cantwell and Harry Creak sailed great all day and just missed out on the podium finish. After 55 races, Ashlea Tan and Fred Cantwell were declared winners of the Dathi Cup. The Dathí Cup is named after David White, in honour of his massive contribution to the Victorian Optimist community

It's so important that young sailors learn to race the right way. The Umpire Cup, a symbol of sportsmanship and integrity, is proudly sponsored by The Tan Family, who embodies these values. With a passion for sailing, the Tan family children grew up surrounded by the Optimist dinghy community and now champion girls' involvement in team racing. This perpetual trophy celebrates honest competition and encourages all participants to embrace their best selves. Umpire Luke awarded this to Frances Gibson.

A big thank you to all the volunteers who had made the day possible, on the water our Open Fleet RO John Gibson and his team Michael Cantwell (VIODA President) and Nathan Edwards. On the Intermediate fleet course, we had Ollie Strode. On land doing all the prep work were Alexandra Starkova and Leah Tan.

The Dathi Cup Perpetual Trophy Winners - Ashlea T and Fred C

The Umpire Cup Perpetual Trophy Winner - Frances G

Silver Fleet Winners (Intermediate Sailors)

3rd: Allegra J and Charlie M

2nd: Theo A and Anne E

1st:  Kate E and Finley I

Gold Fleet Winners (Open Sailors)

3rd:  Josie L and Acklin S

2nd:  Lily C and Louis C

1st:  Ashlea T and Fred C

Congratulations to all and thank you everyone for making this championships happen!