Twenty-seven Optis descended on Santa Barbara for the first significant Optimist regatta in the history of Santa Barbara. Due to both the efforts of the organizing authorities and the overwhelming enthusiasm and support of the Cabrillo Beach, Marina del Rey and Morro Bay Optimist Fleets, the last-minute event could be considered nothing short of a huge success!

The Championship Fleet sailed ten races-and the Green Fleet eleven-over the course of the two-day regatta. Racers were greeted Saturday morning with dense fog preventing the Red, Blue and White fleets from heading offshore. Inside the harbor, however, the sun shone brightly and racing got underway for all fleets. The Championship Fleet and Green Fleet shared the racecourse and enjoyed separate starts for three races in a nice 6-8 knot sea breeze before breaking for lunch on the beach.

After lunch the Championship Fleet left the harbor for three more races on their own course. The wind would build and recede as the fog bank moved in and out creating a tactical minefield for even the best sailors. At the end of the day, Cooper Weitz and Quinn Wilson were in close contention for overall lead. Frankie Dair led the White Fleet by a comfortable margin over second-place Lucas Pierce and the rest of the sailors aged ten and under.

That evening, many of the sailors enjoyed live music and other festivities at the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum hosted by the Santa Barbara Sailing Club before moving on to an impromptu pizza dinner at a nearby eatery.

Sunday morning again started out overcast, but the gloom never found its way down to sea level allowing for adequate visibility well before racing even got started. The fog burned of quickly over town drawing in the cooler sea breeze that continued to build throughout the day.

The Green Fleet continued to enjoy sunny skies and flat water inside the harbor while the Championship Fleet battled choppy seas in a breeze that built to 13 knots at times.

Quinn Wilson and Cooper Weitz battled for the lead in the Blue Fleet and overall as they exchanged wins on Sunday. In the end it was Cooper Weitz who emerged as the overall winner in the Blue Fleet and Frank Dair in the White Fleet.

Santa Barbara fielded six sailors, five of whom had ever sailed in an Optimist regatta before and all of whom sailed in the Championship Fleet and completed all of the races.

Congratulations to all of the competitors and, on behalf of the Santa Barbara sailing community, thank you to you and your parents for supporting this fledgling event.

Results
Photos

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