Eseta retains Optimist title

Light to medium breezes made for fun sailing on Muri lagoon for the 17 junior sailors taking part in the two-day Rarotonga Sailing Club Optimist Championships.

Saturday, the first day of competition, saw the young sailors get used to the conditions and close quarter racing on Muri lagoon and by the end of the day the sailors were more confident and competitive as they zipped across the lagoon.

Rising sailing star Eseta Ailaouamaua successfully defended her Optimist Championship title although she did have some tough competition on the water from the likes of Teakoua Framhein who placed second overall and third place getter Tyler Davis.

Ioane Moore sailed well with a serious face on to place fourth overall followed by Makua Nikoia in fifth, Tautika Ioane in sixth, Helene Johnson in seventh, Martin Obeda in eighth, Tamarua Marsters in ninth and Finn Pearson rounding up the top 10 sailors.

Freddy Markwell placed 11th, Jennae Davis 12th, Steve Mac 13th, Jade Tierney 14th, Saoirse Tierney 15th, Olive Fruh 16th and JD Sijp 17th.

On Monday, Optimist fleet and sailing club sponsors gathered with the junior sailors for the blessing of Optimists vessels complete with the logos of each sponsor.

Sponsors cracked young nu on to the vessels in a special dedication ceremony before the keen sailors hit the water again for the teams sailing event.

More reports and stories from the Optimist championships will be published through the week. ]