Nicolas Granier

5 August 2010

Nairobi — The Chase Bank sponsored Eighth Optimist African Championship ends at Kilifi's Mnarani Club on Saturday.

A total of 69 sailors are participating in Kenya's largest sailing competition, including 62 from 12 African countries.

While local sailors may use their own boats, 60 charter boats are being provided by Zou Marine and it is expected that these will be sold to enlarge African fleets in several countries.

Mozambique, who are of course hosts to next year's All Africa Games, are the only first-time entry but Egypt, Seychelles and Reunion (FRA) have swelled the fleet after absence last year.

The Opening ceremony was a wonderful occasion with participants arriving on a traditional dhow. It was the social event of the year in Kilifi and there were many Kilifi residents in attendance.

There was a parade of the 18 nations behind a Kenyan drummer and a flag raising ceremony was also held. This was followed by the traditional Africans mixing of the waters ceremony on the beach.

The first day of racing was excellent and three good races were completed. The winds increased throughout the day from seven to eight knots in the first race to 10 to 13 knots in the last race.

The starts were competitive and it was wonderful to see the largest fleet of Optimists at an African Championship racing in such beautiful surroundings.

Algeria has taken the individual championship as well as the girls' gold for the last two years but there were six nations in the top 10 last year so some close racing is expected this weekend.