Optimists a breeding ground for champions

THE Centennial Olympic Games saw impressive performances in all 10 classes from the world's elite sailors. For many of the 486 competing, this regatta was the pinnacle of their sailing ambitions and win or not, simply qualifying was the result of years of training and dedication.

Sometimes it's only when an individual's sailing history is examined in detail that the true path of their success becomes evident. Too often, most of the "sailing CVs" quote class championships or previous Olympic campaigns. Occasionally, you might come across ocean marathons or even America's Cup campaigns.

But, for nearly a third of the medal winners at Savannah, their careers started in one of the most successful dinghies of all time - the Optimist single hander. All but the Mistral boards and Soling keelboats had an former Optimist sailor in the medal parades. As a formative class for youngsters, clearly this is the first stepping stone to greater achievements.

Previous results from past championships make interesting reading: Brazilian world champion and Olympic gold medallist Robert Scheidt was 40th in the 1986 Optimist worlds; his close rival and silver medallist Ben Ainslie from Britain was 20th just four years ago. Both enjoyed an almost exclusive battle for the top two places while Norway's Peer Moburg, another former Optimist sailor had to settle for bronze.

Other notables included the gold and silver medallists in the 470 women's fleet Theresa Zabell of Spain and Yumiko Shige of Japan. Ireland's Denise Lyttle, who finished 12th with Louise Ann Cole, is also a veteran of the Barcelona Games and was the first woman home at the Optimist world championships in 1981.

Lyttle's brother Mark also raced Optimists as did Cole and Lyttle's National Yacht Club team mate Aishling Bowman. Laura Dillon, a more recent graduate of the class, took bronze at the IYRU Youth world championships in the Laser II class.

Now the latest generation of potential Olympians are preparing for this year's Optimist world championships at Langebaan, South Africa from August 15th to 26th. To date, teams from 39 countries have entered with each nation permitted to send five sailors. They will compete in specially provided boats although they may bring their own foils and spars.

For the championship races the fleet will be divided into six, each of which will sail against each of the other divisions. After the first five races in each division the total points of the four yachts with the lowest cumulative results from each country will be added to give an overall country score. The 16 teams with the lowest country scores will be eligible to race for the overall Challenge Cup.

Ireland will be ably represented by Stefan Hyde, Colm Galvin, Colin Lough, Ian Doig and Jonathan Coate. Argentina's Martin Jenkins and the other top title winners from last year are not competing while the Netherlands' Lisa Westerhof will be defending her title.

Meanwhile, up to 30 boats were expected on the starting line this morning for the Shipman National championship being hosted by the Royal St George Yacht Club in Dun Laoghaire. However, bad weather over the past few days may keep numbers down as several northern boats have been unable to travel. The popular cruiser/racer class has seen on upsurge in numbers on Dublin Bay recently due mainly to regattas and Dublin Bay Sailing Club giving the 28 footers an individual class start.