Southern Wind is proud to have been the main sponsor of the Optimist African Championship 2022 held in Cape Town some weeks ago, thus supporting young sailors in their professional Optimist career.
A total of 10 nations participated in the event that for many represents the starting block to becoming professional sailors and to get to compete, one day, in the Super Yacht circuit, the America’s Cup, the Olympics and more.
As Stefan Falcon, head of our Lamination Dept and among the event organizers, said: “The common ground between an optimist and a superyacht, stands in the fact that sailing is really the only sport that becomes a lifestyle no matter the size and has the potential to offer “direct employment”, working in a field that is also your passion. And it all starts with an Optimist.”
Many of you may not have seen this wonderful video of the Opening Ceremony at the Optimist African Champs 2022, photographed and compiled by Lukas Formella from NEWBLUE.eu. Thank you for preserving these special moments from a very successful event Lukas. Enjoy.
A selecção nacional de vela na classe Optimist foi recebida no dia 13/10 por S.Exa a Ministra da Juventude e Desportos, com o intuito se apresentar e receber o devido reconhecimento pelo sucesso das medalhas obtidas no campeonato Africano: Ouro na competição por equipas (campeões africanos), prata e bronze em individuais masculinos e bronze em individuais femininos.
Numa cerimónia muito significativa para atletas, treinador, chefe de delegação, a FADEN esteve representada pela sua Presidente, Olga Albuquerque, e o Vice Presidente para a modalidade de Vela, Nuno Gomes.
Além do regozijo manifestado em primeira pessoa pela Sra. Ministra, perante a imprensa e vários elementos da equipa ministerial, nomeadamente S.Exa. o Secretário de Estado e o Sr. Director Nacional do Desporto, os presentes registaram com satisfação e esperança a afirmação de que a vela é considerada uma modalidade prioritária pelo ministério da Tutela, com o compromisso de mais apoio e muita comunicação entre todos. FADEN 14/10/2022
The national sailing selection in the Optimist class was received on 13/10 by S. The Minister of Youth and Sports, intending to present and receive due recognition for the success of the medals obtained at the African championship: gold in the team competition (African champions), silver and bronze in men’s individuals inos and bronze in women’s singles In a very significant ceremony for athletes, coaches, chief of delegation, FADEN was represented by its President, Olga Albuquerque, and the Vice President for the Vela modality, Nuno Gomes.
Besides the joy expressed in the first person by the Mrs. Minister, in front of the press and various elements of the ministerial team, namely S. Ex. the Secretary of State and Mr. National Director of Sports, present registered with satisfaction and hope the statement that the candle is considered a priority modality by the Ministry of Tutela, with the commitment of more support and much the communication between all.
A keepsake from the Africans 2022. This beautiful full colour A1 poster is available for purchase. Contact Axel to place your order – 072 408 9431 ax@telkomsa.net
Let me introduce myself: I am Elisa Falcon, I am fifteen years old and I am proud to be the so-called grandmother of the Oppie Class in South Africa.
This African Championship has been really a special and successful event. I think that the organisation of it was tough and a never-ending exercise for a large group of volunteers and parents, my father being one of them. He even took a couple of days off work to finish and prepare everything on time. I cannot put enough words to express how memorable and special everyone made this event be. Thank you!
I, on the other hand, was preparing for the racing days to come. Considering the weather conditions, with very light wind, which is strange in the Western Cape, I did not do so bad at all. I sailed through the bad days and made the most of the good days. I had high expectations that I did not manage to fully meet, but I assure you, I’m satisfied with my experience. Cal Tomlinson, a friend of mine, told me that in these regattas you don’t walk away with your result; you walk away with the friendships created and the memories made. I thank my roommates, Faith and Scarlet, the coaches, the managers, and the rest of the team once again.
Another thing that I was extremely happy about, was that one of the coaches was my brother Alex Falcon. He has taken a huge role in creating the sailor that I am today and having him as one of my coaches for my last Oppie regatta was, to say the least, a bonus. Alex was obviously there as my coach, not my brother, but I am grateful that he was there nonetheless.
I think we had some good achievements and Team Racing was one of them. South Africa doesn’t have a numerous sailing community, like other countries in Europe do. We don`t have the experience of big fleet racing, nor the numbers to do regular Team Racing training. Therefore, considering the circumstances as a team we achieved a lot on that day. Team RSA started strong: we had great, exceptional starts and could race with good tactics. Unfortunately, because a lot of us do not have experience with this specific type of racing, after more than two hours the three RSA teams got tired and lost a bit of team coordination and we immediately paid the consequences for it. Pity. I would like to congratulate team three for making the podium anyway!
The last day of the Regatta, a great friend, Olivia Purchase and myself, created our little graduation of the Oppie Class. We brought our elegant evening dresses on the coach boat and got dressed, after our last race, while still on the water. We then sailed back into the harbour in our dresses and had many photos taken by friends and family. It was very fun.
As the granny of this Class, I hold so much love and pride for my Optimist kids. I’ve watched so many of them from the beginning, to now see them become the faces of the South African Optimists Class. I’ve watched them grow, succeed, fall and try again for so long and so many times that it has been an honour to have been part of each and every one of their journeys. Again, thank you to everyone and the parents for making it happen. In particular, my super-dad Stefan Falcon, for being the best dad, friend and supporter.
In closing, I want to give many thanks also to my personal sponsor, Hybrid Composite, a company in Cape Town that makes superiorly light boat parts using composite materials. They are reknowned all over the world for their products reliability and robustness. Hybrid is currently involved in a major refit of the famous JClass Valsheda, for which they are building some of the largest composite deck hatches ever manufactured.
