20:00, Monday 21st November 2022, Alimos, Greece.
“Lagusa” Race was the third of four races organised by Yacht Club Greece that make up the Winter Series every year in November. Y.C.G. included multiple options of courses for Race 3 and 4 in the Sailing Instructions like W/L, triangle or coastal to choose from, depending on the prevailing conditions. As such, on Sunday morning the 20+ southern winds were present aw forecasted and a 24-mile coastal course was selected which was basically a W/L from Piraeus, round Fleves Island and back again to Piraeus. OPTIMUM 4 and AETHER where the two O.S.A. Dehler 30s that put up a wet fight, tried various sail combinations and enjoyed a hell of a 12-mile downwind leg to the finish. Out of 11 entries, 8 made the start and 7 crossed the finish line in ORC Performance 2 class and the O.S.A. Dehler 30s scored 3rd and 5th respectively with a mix of Team OPTIMUM members and Academy students. OPTIMUM 4 competed also on Saturday in Kasidi Race, a 20-mile coastal race organised by IOP-DEI Nautical Club, from Faliro, round Kasidi Rock and back that took place in light and variable winds before settling in a 12-14 knot southerly. In this race OPTIMUM 4 scored 1st in ORC Performance 1 class with 11 entries and 4th in ORC Performance overall out of 20 entries.
“That was my second race on O.S.A. Dehler 30od OPTIMUM 4 and I must say I enjoyed twice as much as my first in Methana. This time I was more comfortable with the boat and the systems and more comfortable with the Optimum guys and crew choreography. Although we had a poor start, we worked our way back in front by positioning our boat to the right, windward to everybody else. That was the tactical key that allowed us to round Kasidi Rock second boat although we were the 6th fastest boat in the entry list. I don’t know so much of race sail plans but in both races I have competed on OPTIMUM 4, every time we use the Code O that sets on a roler at the end of the bowsprit, it is a big boost in performance. The talk on board is always if the rating penalty is worthy but I am new to the game to form an opinion. I only know that I enjoyed the race, the atmosphere onboard and the perfect sunny warm weather that made a worthwhile total experience”’, said Nikos Vitos who seems to nicely fit wit OPTIMUM spirit.
OPTIMUM Sailing Academy supported by LALIZAS provides the opportunity to newcomers and sailing enthusiasts to taste offshore sailing at its best, presented and seduced by passionate Team OPIMUM members.
More to experience next weekend…