FBYC OPTI RACE TEAM SHINE ON THE NATIONAL STAGE!
on Thursday June 12, 2014 09:28AM
Three of our Opti Race Team members recently accepted invitations to participate in a USODA National Developmental Team “Boot Camp” hosted by Annapolis Yacht Club, held June 7 & 8. First some background: the U.S. Opti Class is highly organized. The U.S. has a rigorous system for selecting and training sailors it sends to events around the world to compete against other nations. First, a sailor must qualify to attend “Team Trials”, which this year were held in Connecticut in May. Several FBYC team members qualified, and of the over 200 sailors racing in that event, Boyd Bragg (13) and Benton Amthor (12) did outstanding, thereby earning an invitation to the Boot Camp. Boyd qualified as a full time member of the National Development Team. A third sailor from our team, Nathan Smith (11), was also invited due to his previous performances.
Parents are not allowed to accompany their children to the Boot Camps; sailors must stay with host families and are coached by top professional coaches flown in by the USODA. (Numerous FBYC coaches have participated in the past in these events). Essentially, the 60 best Opti sailors from across the U.S. competed in Annapolis, and by special invitation, 5 of the British National team members sailed. After 4 days of training and racing, Benton finished 4th overall, and Boyd was 11th overall! Benton was also named “Top Gun” for this event! Nathan also sailed extremely well.
Both Boyd and Benton come from well know Chesapeake Bay racing families. Both boys began sailing at FBYC long before their families joined, and learned to sail during our Opti Kids and Junior Weeks through the years. Both first raced in our Green Fleet. Eventually their families joined the club to support the Race Team. Nathan grew up sailing and racing in St. Maarten in the Caribbean, where Opt racing is also very popular. He joined our club this year when his family moved to Virginia, so he could race on our team.
Check out the US National Team’s Facebook page, for additional photos:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/USNT-US-Optimist-National-Team/190273024382692
Tags: juniorraceteam, opti