Sixteen Australian Optimist sailors prepare for Singapore Nationals

11:56 AM Tue 2 Jun 2009 GMT

'Diego Figueroa - AOST Coach - Singapore Optimist Nationals' Janet Jerwood

Sixteen keen Optimist sailors will travel to Singapore this week to compete in the Singapore Optimist National Championships. The sailors include nine members of the Australian Optimist Sailing Team (AOST) , demonstrating extra-ordinary depth for a junior class that is still developing and growing in Australia.

The AOST sailors will be coached by Diego Figueroa, world renowned Optimist Coach and the club coach for Royal Perth Yacht Club.

The expected conditions should offer plenty of opportunity for the Australians to practice their light wind, big fleet strategies and techniques. This Open event attracts optimist sailors from all over Asia and the entries are expected to top 300 this year.

by Janet Jerwood