Gill Optimist Early Summer Championships at Brightlingsea Sailing Club

The IOCA Early Summer Championships at Brightlingsea SC delivered a thrilling test of skill and adaptability for the Optimist Fleet, with sailors battling extreme variations in wind speed and direction over two days of racing.

The regatta opened in dramatic fashion on Saturday, as Race 1 for main fleet saw winds gusting up to 30 knots, demanding the best boat handling and endurance from the competitors. The initial breeze began to ease but shifted left, setting the tone for an unpredictable weekend. By Race 2, the wind steadied at 20-25 knots before strengthening again in race 3.

Gill Optimist Early Summer Championships at Brightlingsea - photo © Paul Sanwell / OPP

Sunday brought a marked contrast, with significantly lighter winds altering the tactical landscape. Despite the shift in conditions, the leading sailors maintained their positions, showing impressive adaptability. The left side of the course remained the favored route, but results fluctuated dramatically further down the fleet, particularly in the final race. A major shift on the outer loop of the last heat triggered a considerable turnover in places, reshuffling mid-fleet standings in an unexpected twist.

At the top of main fleet, Jonny Rogers positioned himself perfectly throughout the weekend, securing the overall victory with an outstanding net total of 7 points from 6 races to count. Even Jonny was caught out by a dramatic change in breeze in the last race on Sunday but had saved his discard for this. Sean Di Salle, riding high after his recent Silver Fleet win at the European Championships finished second, showing great form all across the series. His teammate Lizzie Hudson was first girl, while Charlie Holland, Tom Keegan and Freddie Jones also navigated the changeable conditions consistently as possible, filling the other top five places.

Gill Optimist Early Summer Championships at Brightlingsea - photo © Paul Sanwell / OPP

Racing Regatta fleet

Racing regatta fleet valiantly fought through a couple of races on Saturday but were forced to abandon due to capsizes and really strong gusts. The Fleet saw a strong competition, with the final ranking shaped not only by by consistent placement in the top five throughout the series. Eight races were sailed, one discard counted. In the end, nine-year-old Finn Simmons of Lymington Town SC mastered the conditions edging Warsash's William Foster on countback.

Simmons opened with bullets in R1 and R4, backed by a pair of thirds and just an 11th as his only counting blemish. Foster was rock-steady, never outside the top five aside from his discard. A bullet in Race 7 and runner-ups in R5 and R2 kept the pressure on Simmons, but countback went the way of the eventual champion. Robbie Judson bagged two wins plus a brace of runner-ups to charge onto the podium. Archie Dowling lit up R2 and R5 with two emphatic wins, Sebastian Richardson erased an opening discard to race through the fleet, scoring a well-timed bullet in Race 6 and three other top-five finishes.

Gill Optimist Early Summer Championships at Brightlingsea - photo © Paul Sanwell / OPP

Coached Regatta fleet

Coached regatta went out in the stiff breeze on Saturday morning but waited till late on Saturday afternoon to tock in to some race practice when conditions had improved. They had a great day of racing on Sunday and were flighted into Gold and Silver fleet which gave individuals a chance to shine. With 14 eager competitors in the Coached Regatta Fleet, the weekend unfolded as a story of learning, resilience, and rising confidence.

From the first race, it was clear that the competition would be tight. The early leaders set a high bar, with Tom Hadfield and Edie Charles trading top finishes and showing impressive consistency. Their duel at the front of the fleet added excitement to every start line.

But the real story of the weekend wasn't just about the leaders. It was about the fleet as a whole — young sailors navigating not only the course but also the challenges of shifting winds. Frances Oneill, after a tough second race, came back strong with a win and several solid finishes, showing the kind of determination that defines a true competitor.

As the series progressed, the sailors began to settle in. Mistakes turned into lessons, and by the final races, the improvement across the fleet was unmistakable. Nowhere was this more evident than in the performance of Kate Keegan. At just seven years old, Kate started the weekend near the back of the fleet but steadily climbed the rankings with each race. Her perseverance and visible growth on the water earned her the Most Improved Sailor award—an honour that captured the spirit of the regatta.

By the end of six races (with one discard), the results were close at the top. Tom Hadfield and Edie Charles finished tied on points, with Tom taking the overall win on countback. Frances Oneill secured third, rounding out a podium that reflected both talent and tenacity.

Main fleet prizewinners - Gill Optimist Early Summer Championships at Brightlingsea - photo © Paul Sanwell / OPP

Special mention to Brightlingsea SC who presented beautiful hand painted plates to the top three winners of each fleet and were hugely accommodating and welcoming all weekend.

With Brightlingsea behind them, the fleet now shifts focus to the upcoming IOCA National Championships at Weymouth in July.

Racing Regatta fleet prizewinners - Gill Optimist Early Summer Championships at Brightlingsea - photo © Paul Sanwell / OPP

Coached Regatta fleet prizewinners - Gill Optimist Early Summer Championships at Brightlingsea - photo © Paul Sanwell / OPP

Main Fleet Results:

Racing Regatta Fleet Results:

Coached Regatta Fleet Results: