Many of the 33 teams that have arrived at Napier Airport have received a warm welcome.
"This is really super, being welcomed at the Airport and delivered to our motel after a quick tour around town" said Huub Lambriex, father of one of the Dutch competitors.
Every team arriving at the Napier Airport is being picked up by one of the many volunteers, given a quick tour around town, an introduction to the Napier Sailing Club and delivered to their motel with a Welcome Pack.
At present there are 33 teams in Napier. Yesterday was a Special Day with a typical Kiwi Christmas Lunch organised in Eskdale Reserve Park. 160 people participated and enjoyed the sunny weather and Christmas Ham. "Most competitors got into the Kiwi spirit of Christmas, only a few went for a sail afterwards. The rest was too relaxed" said Nigel Rippey, Event Director.
After the lunch, most young sailors went straight onto the water, training to gain experience of the Napier conditions. "It is quite something to see the number of boats training just off Perfume Point each day and it is likely that numbers will only increase with the Harken Invitational Regatta taking place this Wednesday (28th) and Thursday (29th). We have 90 international sailors registered so far, with 60 New Zealand sailors taking part. This regatta is open to all young Optimist sailors, so many take the opportunity to train and sail with the world's best," according to Pete Dawson, Chairman of OptiWorldsNZ.
In a local first, sailors are able to get detailed weather conditions from the world's smallest temporary weather indicator bouy by just going to www.predictwind.com. Not only is this a real New Zealand innovation where a typically low-cost solution has resulted in adding even more interest for sailors and spectators alike.
Apart from the racing, there are many other activities organised for the public. Yachting New Zealand has provided a number of Opti Dinghies and the public is invited to have a go themselves. A ride in the Waka is a must for a real New Zealand experience, and there will also be a Farmers Market on Monday morning 2nd January.
The public is invited to come down to the Sound Shell in Napier for the Official Opening Ceremony on 31 December 5pm. Watch the racing on the beach on Hardinge Road, or come down to the Fan Zone at the Napier Sailing Club for replays of the races and mixing with the 48 nationalities taking part.
Opti Worlds Vital Stats:
30 December 2011 - 10 January 2012
The boat: a safe and simple dinghy that is one of the world's most popular designs
The racing: 9 days of Championship racing
The competitors: around 210 sailors aged between 11 and 15 years
The countries: teams from 48 nations including reigning Champs Thailand
The host club: Napier Sailing Club, Napier, New Zealand
Famous sailors that have started out in Optis include: Ben Ainslie
The big sponsors: Vodafone, New Zealand Major Events, Hawke's Bay Tourism, SPARC, City of Napier, Air New Zealand, the Radio Network, EuroCity Napier, Victoria Cruising Club, Lion Foundation
The technology: GPS tracking and live video coverage online - real time
The website: www.optiworldsnz.com
The Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/optiworldsnz2011
For more information please contact:
Nathalie van Dort - Media Relations - email:
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ph: +64 6 878 3456 or +64 21 066 9811
Nigel Rippey - Event Director - email:
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ph +64 7 597 1450 or +64 27 482 8522
Peter Dawson - Chairman - email:
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ph +64 27 443 8590
