Marina Park was a hub of dinghy sailing activity on the weekend of June 24-25, as the Comox Bay Sailing Club (CBSC) hosted the 2023 Optimist Class Provincial Championships.
More than 45 boats represented the most active sailing clubs on the West Coast, including the Royal Victoria, Royal Vancouver, West Vancouver, and Nanaimo Yacht Clubs, as well as locals from CBSC.
The Optimist is a one-design sailing dinghy ideal for young sailors to master handling their own boats, learn the rules of racing sailing, and develop the skills to enjoy a lifetime of on-the-water enjoyment under sail. Many world and Olympic champions have begun as Optimist Class sailors.
Sailing regattas are generally multi-day events, and this one featured sunny skies on both days yet an excellent variety of winds - topping out at 13 knots on Saturday - as well as the usual challenge of significant currents off Goose Spit. A total of 10 races were run over the two days, testing the skippers with both significant winds and waves, as well as light air sailing, set against the scenic backdrop of the Comox Valley.
The 2023 provincial champion was Harris He from West Vancouver, with a podium finish by Comox鈥檚 own Callum Douglas in third. CBSC had strong placings by Annika Bohac, Anna Reimer, James Douglas, Maggie Keenoy, Bjorn Bohac, Vera Nodwell, Max Miller, and Calla Knutson-Robottom in the 35-strong fleet. Bjorn and Vera just moved up to the Championship Fleet from the beginner ranks this spring and demonstrated great resolve in the larger, more aggressive fleet and longer race format.
James Douglas had a notable breakout performance with his first ever race-win, in decisive fashion with a 20-boat-length lead over the fleet.
Beginning sailors, sailing in the 鈥楪reen Fleet鈥�, included CBSC skippers Kian and Galen Condliffe, Liam Douglas, Hugh Ferguson, Neil Fast, Leon Mierzewski, and Miles Mayrhofer. The Green Fleet had the opportunity to test their skills in the same challenging conditions as the Championship Fleet, with slightly shorter courses.
After several spring regattas and training camps - including a weekend in windy Squamish - many sailors are preparing for this summer鈥檚 big event when the West Vancouver Yacht Club hosts the Optimist Class National Championships in August. The fleet is expected to exceed 100 boats in a full week of individual and team competition, with sailors representing every province.
For more information, see https://www.comoxbaysailingclub.ca/
See you out on the water!
