HISC x Magic Marine Optimist Open Meeting Review

The HISC x Magic Marine Optimist Open Meeting at Hayling Island Sailing Club delivered a fantastic weekend of racing across three fleets, with over 110 sailors from clubs across the country competing in challenging and memorable conditions. From the developing talent in the Coached Regatta Fleet through to the seasoned campaigners battling it out in the Bay, the regatta showcased everything that makes Optimist sailing so special.

Coached Regatta Fleet

The Coached Regatta Fleet led by head coach Melvyn Cooper, saw 21 sailors take on a 10- race programme across the 2 days, with almost perfect conditions. Tom McKenna (HISC) was the standout performer, claiming the overall win with a dominant display of consistency that was a level above the rest of the fleet throughout the weekend. Summer Greenland (HISC) had a superb weekend, finishing second overall and taking the 1st Girl prize - a brilliant double recognition of a very consistent series. Charlotte O’Keeffe (HISC) was equally impressive, claiming third overall and 2nd Girl. Amina Melhem (HISC) rounded out fourth and Audrey Driscoll (HISC) fifth to complete the prize positions. In the 8 and Under category, Adam Oldale (PYC) claimed first place with Margot McCarthy (PYC) taking second - a great showing from the PYC visitors. The prize winners for Coached Regatta all received prizes from Blacksmith and Magic Marine. The Endeavour Prize, sponsored by GP Watercraft and awarded in the form of a coaching voucher, went to Eleanor Merron (HISC), a wonderful recognition of her progress and commitment throughout the regatta.

Credit: Peter Hickson

Racing Regatta

Fleet With 44 entries, the Racing Regatta Fleet produced some of the most absorbing racing of the weekend across 8 races. Dexter Truswell (RSYC) was on great form, claiming the overall win and the 1st Aged 10 & Under prize - a remarkable double driven by dominant race-winning form from the very first race. Blaise Kemp (BSC) took both second overall and the 2nd Aged 10 & Under prize in a fine display of consistency throughout. Benji Foster (HISC) completed the podium in third, a brilliant result for the home club.

Alexander Webley (HISC) finished fourth, with Clemmie Renard (DWSC) taking both fifth overall and the 1st Girl prize. Peter Tyrrell (HISC) rounded out the top six, with Daniel Pascoe (Castle) seventh and Benjamin Kirkham (HISC) eighth completing the prize positions. Among the girls, Edith Charles (WSC) claimed 2nd Girl and Jaydene Cooper (HISC) 3rd Girl. The prize winners for Racing Regatta received prizes from Magic Marine.

The Endeavour Prize - a brand-new North Sail courtesy of GP Watercraft - went to Zoe Grundy (HISC), a fitting reward for her efforts across the series.

Credit: Carl Rizzo

Main Fleet

The Main Fleet faced the toughest conditions of the weekend, venturing out into the Bay where choppy seas tested all 45 competitors across 8 races. Theo Fox (ESC) rose to the occasion most impressively, claiming the overall title with a brilliant and composed performance throughout. Arthur Rogers (RHYC) finished second, with Zoe Green (Netley) outstanding in third overall and 1st Girl. Evelyn Rogerson (HISC) - the top home club finisher - took both fourth overall and 2nd Girl. Felix Gladman (BSC) and Carwyn Parry (PYC) rounded out the top six, with Rufus de la Haye (HISC) seventh and Charlotte Davis (PYC) eighth - Charlotte also claiming 3rd Girl in a fine all-round performance.

In the Aged 10 & Under category, Archie Dowling claimed first with Finn Simmons (LTSC) second. The prize winners for the Main Fleet received prizes from Magic Marine. The Endeavour Prize - another brand-new North Sail from GP Watercraft - went to Maisie Richmond (HISC), a popular and well-deserved recognition of her determination across the weekend.

Credit: Catherine Tyrrell

It was a truly memorable event from start to finish. The breadth of clubs represented across all three fleets, from host club HISC, to visitors travelling from PYC, RSYC, BSC, DWSC, WSC, ESC, RHYC, LTSC and many more, made for a wonderfully rich and competitive regatta, and it was fantastic to welcome so many sailors and families to Hayling Island for the weekend.

Peter Tyrrell (HISC) rounded off a fine personal weekend by being voted the overall Sportsmanship Award winner, a fitting tribute to a sailor who embodied the very best spirit of the sport. And a final special mention too for Freddie Wilder (HISC) and Jack Ward (HISC), who despite nursing broken wrists from other sporting adventures, refused to let that keep them away from the water - Freddie lending his energy to rescue duty and Jack supporting his dad with ARO duties throughout the weekend. A brilliant show of commitment to the sport and their club.

A huge thank you to lead sponsor Magic Marine, and to all those who so generously supported the event: GP Watercraft, T2 Architects, Wickham Orthodontics, Xtremity Sports and SailPerformance / Blacksmith. Your support makes events like this possible and is hugely appreciated by everyone at HISC. We hope to see everyone back on the water at HISC very soon!