FLYING THE SA FLAG AT NEW ZEALAND OPTIMIST WORLD SAILING CHAMPIONSHIP

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) December 6, 2011 -- To the uninformed public, sailing may appear to be an obscure sport or even not a sport at all. However the sailing community is very active. The sport is still growing and South Africa (SA) is being put on the world stage by our sailing talent.

On 21 December, 5 South African boys, will jet off to New Zealand to participate in the 2011 Optimist Worlds Sailing Championship, that will take place in Napier from 30 Decemeber – 10 January 2012.

At Optiworlds the top five sailors from about 50 countries will compete for the world title in a very technical and competitive 10-day event.

The Optimist, Oppie or Opti for short, is a small, single-handed sailing dinghy, measuring 2.3m long
by 1.1m wide, and intended for use by children up to the age of 15. It is recognized as an International Class by the International Sailing Federation (ISAF). Over 150,000 kids in over 100 countries sail an Optimist, making it not only one of the biggest dinghy classes in the world, but also one of the fastest growing.

Optimists provide real international competition because they are a one-design boat, manufactured to the same specification by dozens of builders around the world. They all must conform to the same standard (the class rules), so the results of a race depend on the skill of the skipper rather than equipment superiority.

The SA team is made up by Cape Town boys: David Wilson, Travis Barret and Emil Feuillette (all aged 14) as well as Ryan Barnardo and Daniel Spratley (both aged 15). They will be accompanied by their coach Andrea Giovannini and their manager Kevin Bingham.

Sailing is an endurance sport, which requires and tests one’s fitness, strength and one’s decision-making ability. Each contestant is alone in their boat and they are not allowed to be coached while racing.

The sport currently receives very little support in South Africa and the boys and their families have had to cover their own costs to get to the competition. Thankfully, the generous sponsorship from Twice2Much, Hitachi and Gill sailing gear has helped the boys with their team uniform and equipment needs.

Over the next few weeks, the SA team will place high priority on getting as much time on the water to hone their skills. They’ve also had to focus on their end of the year exams, but with that now behind them, the excitement is mounting and they’re counting down the days...

For more information about the world championships visit http://www.optiworldsnz.org.nz.


RELEASED BY Kim Webster
Gecko Connect PR & Events
082 227 5209/ kim@geckoconnect.net

ON BEHALF OF Andre van der Walt
Twice2Much
www.twice2much.co.za

About Twice2Much:

Twice2Much was established in London in 2003. The company now operates in London, Hamburg, Madrid and Cape Town and is therefore a global provider of accounts payable audit services.

Following their recent expansion into South Africa, Twice2Much has chosen to focus on Junior Sport as part of their CSI programme with an initial focus on sailing and tennis.
www.twice2much.co.za.

About Hitachi:

Hitachi Power Africa is a subsidiary of Hitachi Power Europe. Apart from their mainstream business of manufacturing, supply, construction and commissioning of power plants, Hitachi is also focussed on facilitating the transfer of technology skills and investment into South Africa.
www.hitachi-power.co.za.

About Gill:

Gill is a manufacturer specialising in ultra-technical sailing clothing for dinghy, cruising, power boating and yachting. Their waterproof range of clothing and equipment is designed by listening to the sailors and to the needs identified by them. Gill is not distracted by any other sports and operates with the sole focus of providing the best sailing clothing available on the planet.
www.gillmarine.com