Despite a strong 16-25 knot easterly breeze at the Mulinuu lagoon last Saturday, Apia Yacht Club sailors weren't going to give up easily as they battled it out in the National Bank of Samoa (NBS) Regatta.

The strong breeze meant it was going to be a challenging sail for the two classes of boats that raced at the NBS Regatta. The Opti class boats were sailed by young sailors aged 11-14 years, while the Laser Class boats were sailed by 14 years plus and an Olympic class b

According to a press release issued by the organisers of the NBS Regatta, the challenging conditions on Saturday were a testament to the fitness and skills of not only Samoa's sailors representing Samoa at the upcoming Pacific Games in the Solomon Islands. But also to Samoa's future Pacific Games sailors who are currently sailing in the Optimist Fleet.

Saturday's strong breeze was too much for the young beginner Opti sailors, who had to opt out of the races. However, it provided an exciting challenge for the more experienced Opti and the Laser sailors, who are training for the Pacific Games in the Solomon Islands in two weeks' time.

Only the experienced Opti Youth managed to complete the two races for Optis on Saturday before further racing for their Fleet was abandoned due to the unfavourable breeze. The older more experienced Laser sailors managed to complete four races in the challenging conditions, to complete the NBS Regatta. 

The Youth Laser sailors were split into the Women's and Men's fleet. Samoa's sailors representing Samoa at the upcoming Pacific Games both topped their Youth fleet. Elizabeth Rasch, 17 years took out the Youth ILCA Lasers Women's gold medal, and Vitolio Lui Iamafana, 21, won the Youth ILCA Laser Men's gold medal. 

Taking out the top sailor overall for the Lasers for both Men and Women was Samoa's other female sailor for the Pacific Games, Vaimo'oi'a Ripley who topped the NBS Lasers ILCA Fleet Overall races.

Specialist technical sailing advisor and coach for Samoa's Sailing Team, Vincent Peters, was happy with Samoa's team's progress thus far.

He said with only two weeks to go before the Pacific Games in the Solomon Islands, the team is charged up and focused on the last bit of training.

"It is always difficult to juggle school schedules and exams and work with sailing training, but we are determined to put in as much training time as possible with some sailors training five to six days a week," said Mr. Peters. "In the last stages of training, we are focusing on race practice, decision-making under pressure, and mental readiness. 

"All of these are critical in big events, and it is easy for even good sailors to crack under pressure, resulting in sub-par performance. Given where we were two months ago, I am really happy with the progress. 

"We, of course, have a lot to cover, but I'm really happy with the progress we made so far and hoping our sailors reach peak performance when the Games begin."  

The results from last Saturday's NBS Regatta are as follows:

Sailors  OPTIMISTS: 

1st. Xavier Rasmussen

2nd. Elyseo Morrison

Participation Certificate: 

Bill Faletoese 

Elythea Morrison

Charlie Temby Luck

Ziv Lui 

OPTI  sailors as Volunteers: 

Ariana Boakes, Race Management Committee 

Maia Boakes:  Hospitality & Prizegiving Committee 

Leah Pei Tevaga: Hospitality & Prizegiving Committee 

Elythea Morrison & Pu'e Tevaga: Prizegiving/ Photography

SAILORS LASERS  : 

Youth Women:

1st. Elizabeth Rasch, 17 years

2nd. Leisina Rasmussen, 16 years

Participation Certificate: 

Tyra Betham, Bella Rasch, Tilly Temby-Luck

Laser Youth Volunteer:

Pu'e Tevaga - Prizegiving & Photography 17years 

Youth Men:

1st.   Vitolio Lui Iamafana, 21yrs

2nd.  Walter Faletoese, 17 yrs

Participation Certificate: 

NBS Perpetual Trophy 

Overall Youth Laser Winner:

- Vitolio Lui Iamafana 

LASERS Overall Fleet: 

1st.  Vaimo'oi'a Ripley 

2nd. Vitolio Lui Iamafana

3rd.  Elizabeth Rasch

Other Sailors placed: 

Leisina Rasmussen 

Walter Faletoese 

Vincent Peters 

Aloma Black