ZIMMERMAN Wins
Optimist North American Championship 2005
Store Bay, Tobago
Sailing fast is not the only reason why Peru's Alexander ZIMMERMAN won the 2005 Optimist North American Championships, sailed out of the island of Tobago, from 26 June- 2 July. The other half of the equation was sailing smart. The secret to 14 year old ZIMMERMAN's success, he says, is "concentration."
Light winds and a pumping two to three foot swell set conditions for the last day of racing. The race committee tried to run two races, but abandoned the first race due to a huge shift. Thus, only once race was sailed for the day
In addition to placing first overall in fleet, Peru's ZIMMERMAN also won a trophy for Best Placed Competitor from a Non-North American Country.
The USA picked up a duo of prizes. Anne HAEGER scored Best Placed North American Female as well as Best Placed Female. Fellow countryman Colin SMITH won Best Placed North American Competitor and Best North American Male.
Trinidad's Anthony ALKINS rated as the Best Placed Competitor from a Caribbean Country and Brazil's Carlo MAZZAFERRO ended as Best Placed Sailor under the age of 12.
Carol Bareuther (As Amended By ISAF). Image, Action from Tobago:© Dean Barnes/caribbeanracing.com