In last month’s edition, we followed Sean van Aswegen’s preparation and training as he geared up for the Agadir International Optimist Championships. Now, we're excited to share how the event unfolded on the shores of Morocco and what an experience it was.

Arrival and Preparation

Sean traveled to Agadir with a group of fellow sailors, making for a smooth and energetic journey.

• Day 1 was dedicated to arrivals and boat setup.
  
  
• Day 2 saw the Optimists fully rigged and on the water for a productive practice sail. Spirits were high, and the fleet was buzzing with anticipation.

Racing Conditions

• Day 3 (Race Day 1): Delivered a consistent breeze paired with large Atlantic swell. Sean adapted well, showing solid form in challenging but exciting conditions.
  
  
• Day 4 (Race Day 2): Similar conditions continued, but Race 2 brought a tough moment—Sean was black-flagged for being over the line early, a costly error in such a tight fleet.
  
  
• Day 5 (Race Day 3): The breeze lightened up while the swell stayed moderate. It was a day for smart tactics and clean sailing. Despite recovering well, the earlier black flag saw Sean drop from 16th to 29th overall out of 61 boats.

The Championships offered far more than racing. It was a rich intercultural experience that brought together sailors from across the globe—Saudi Arabia, France, Kuwait, Poland, Qatar, Spain, Egypt, Portugal, Tunisia, Morocco, Bahrain, and Senegal were all represented.

While the vibe was fantastic, the food situation left a bit to be desired—often late in the evenings. But the cultural richness made up for it. The regatta wrapped up with a traditional prize-giving ceremony, graced by Moroccan royalty and locals in stunning traditional attire. It was a fitting end to a world-class event.

Sean returns home with greater international experience, confidence in big-fleet racing, and a sharper eye for start-line discipline. His performance in Agadir proves he's capable of challenging the best, and with each event, he's getting stronger.

A big congratulations goes to Sean on his first International Regatta on an Optimist. Sean now has his sights set on the African Championship in Tanzania in August.

We love backing youth sailors and always excited to see them excel.

photos Rachael England