Wollmann stars

Ceci Wollmann, 14, won the Bermuda Optimist Worlds Team Trials at the weekend thanks to a slew of first-place finishes.

The 14-year-old Royal Hamilton Amateur Dinghy Club sailor was the standout performer during part one of the Bermuda Optimist Dinghy Association (BODA) World’s Trial Series.

Race officer Charles Tatem and his team enjoyed near-perfect conditions on Saturday with sunny skies and fair winds ranging from 12–14 knots.

Sunday was less windy, which tested some of the bigger sailors.

Wollmann found herself tied with 34 points at the end of sailing, with current BODA National Champion, Benn Smith. However, Wollmann won the tie-break based on her four first-place finishes to  Smith’s three. 

Smith led the regatta for most of the series but Wollmann’s consistent performances over the last two days allowed her to close the gap and ultimately win.

The top five sailors qualified to represent Bermuda at the IODA World Championships this summer in Italy. 

In addition to Wollmannn and Smith, Chase Cooper (37pts), Mike Wollmann (49) and Campbell Patton (53) rounded off the top five on the 2013 team.

The World’s will be sailed in Riva del Garda [Lake Garda], Italy and will be hosted by Fraglia Vela Riva from July 15 to 26.

Last weekend’s eight races also formed Part 1 of the 2013 BODA North American Championships Trials, which will determine the sailors who will qualify to sail in the event held here in Bermuda from July 3–11.  Wollmann (20pts) currently leads the NA trials followed by Chase Cooper (21), Mikey Wolmann (28), Benn Smith (32) and George Buckley (36). Part 2 will be sailed on June 8 and 9. n