13 YEAR OLD DOUGLAS, NEW STATE CHAMPION - 28thApril 2008
 
By John Roberson

Royal Perth Yacht Club skipper, 13 year old Douglas Campbell is the new International Optimist State Champion, having beaten a fleet of nearly 80 boats in Mandurah at the weekend.

In the eleven race series, over three days, he managed to chalk up four wins, with his worst result a ninth, to win the championship with a race to spare.
 
The regatta, which attracted entries from as far afield as Dubai and Norway, with a large contingent from the eastern states, provided a good range of conditions, from a gentle 5 knots on Anzac Day, to 15 knots onthe last day.

It was worth the trip for some of those who came a long way, with Oliver Grogono from Dubai finishing second, while Dylan Passmore from New South Wales, Melbourne's Lloyd Collings and Queenslander Amy Gallagher all madethe top ten on the leaderboard.

Royal Freshwater Bay skipper Paris Stowell was third overall, and top female.

At the top end of the fleet the competition was very strong,with one observer commenting, "the gold fleet were very toey, with lots of general recalls."

There was also plenty of comment about the great atmosphere and camaraderie amongst the young sailors, who must be under 16 to sail in the Optimist class.

Douglas Campbell has already had plenty of international experience in the class, attending regattas in New Zealand, New Caledonia,Japan and Singapore, but unfortunately he won't be able to make the Worlds in Turkey this year.

RESULTS:

1            Douglas Campbell        RPYC            26pts
2            Oliver Grogono            DOSC            35
3            Paris Stowell               RFBYC           43
4            Sam Blackburn            RPYC             49
5            Matthew Wearn          RPYC              54
6            Dylan Passmore          GRSC              57
7            Lloyd Collings              SSCBC            59
8            James Brewer             RPAYC            60
9            Lachlan Gilmour           RFBYC            61
10          Amy Gallagher             RQYS             72