With a spectacular day the South American Optimist began in Mar del Plata
A bright sun and winds from the South quadrant of between 14 and 20 knots, were the ideal setting for the first three regattas of the Optimist class South American Championship to be completed, organized by the Mar del Plata Nautical Club and the IODA with the collaboration of the FAY, AOA and YCA.
The rising tide helped so that there were almost no passes in each of the starts that were happening. In this qualifying stage, three fleets participate in which the 155 participants from 12 countries are divided.
The table of positions, at the end of this first day, reflects a great parity and diversity of countries occupying the first places, which augurs a very disputed championship. The highlight of the day was David Coates from USA who with partial 1st, 5th and 2nd occupies the first position with 8 points against. In second place is the Argentine Tomas Travaglini, with just one point difference (3.5 and 1). While the third step of the provisional podium is for the Chilean Agustín Segovia who has 10 units (2,6,2). The first girl in the general classification is the Peruvian Arantza Valdivieso Zimmermann, who occupies the provisional 4th place tied with the Ecuadorian Bernardo Fernández, both with 15 points. While with 16 points are the American Beck Brill and the Brazilian Stefano Francavilla. Reigning Argentine and local champion Franco Sanchez did not get off to a good start but recovered in the next two regattas (1 and 3), placing him in 11th place in the general classification.
After 4 hours of competition, they all arrived at port with tired faces, but they immediately changed it for a smile when they were received ashore by a pochoclero.
Tomorrow the competition will continue with another two qualifying tests starting at 1 pm. The wind is expected to rotate to the N.E. with which the scenario will be totally different. This variety is typical of the Mar del Plata court.
Results https://2021southamericans.optiworld.org/en/default/races/race-resultsall
