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Optimist World Champion Set Sights on 420 Class

03
Nov 2014

Switzerland's Nicolas Rolaz was crowned the 2014 Optimist World Champion on 31 October after a strong week of racing in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

During a morning wait for wind, the boys were playing "metegol" and ping pong all together, exchanging t-shirts and talking with friends. The lack of wind delayed the scheduled departure for three hours but at 1400 a signal was given to sail to the racing area.

There were 6 knots from East, and Rolaz defended his lead with a tenth in the first race. The race results was Russia first, followed by the US and the Virgin Islands in third place.

As the clock ticked down, the 1555 deadline for another race start had been reached and Rolaz was crowned champion.

The Swiss fleet came ashore together displaying the flag of the country, the Swiss champion Rolaz said, "I cannot describe what I feel, It was much training and effort, It has been a long journey to Argentina, I didn't imagine I could. This is my last year in optimist because I have 15 years old but I will continue in other classes competing and why not, try to go to the Olympics."

The Final Results see Nicolas Rolaz with a very comfortable finish on 38 points, followed by Voravong Rachrattanaruk representing Thailand with 60 points and Dimitris Papadimitriou from Greece with 63 points in third.

Next stop for Rolaz's sailing career will be the International 420 Class. We look forward to welcoming him to the 420 family as this young sailor continues his competitive sailing career.

Find out more about the 2014 Optimist World Championships

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