The Royal Vancouver Yacht Club hosted the week-long 2012 Canadian Optimist Championships August 19-24. We had a large BC team in the 62-boat fleet - 26 from BC and a few of our training partners from Seattle. There were participants from across Canada, as well as a few from Bermuda! The conditions were tough, with light and shifty winds and a strong current almost all week. Friday was the exception, when the thermal finally appeared.

Our sailors had some excellent races sailing among the best under-15 sailors in the country. Most of our BC sailors were in the event to learn and get experience sailing with the best, a goal that everyone accomplished. All of our sailors had some shining moments and sailed very well. It was exciting to watch BC sailors in the top 10 every race.

Two of our BC sailors finished in the top 10. Eric Lyall was 6^th overall (4^th red) and Jack Rieder 8^th overall (5^th red). Ethan Kinsman was 1^st in white followed by Tara Golonka in 2^nd.

Thank you to the regatta organizers for putting on a great event.  Results can be found on the regatta page: http://www.regattanetwork.com/event/5347#_newsroom.

The 2013 Opti Canadians will be at the Royal St. Lawrence Yacht Club in Dorval, Quebec.