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31 August 2004 Dear Smooth Sailing, I understand that the views expressed in Smooth Sailing are those of the editor and not the general sailing public. Unfortunately we South Africans always fall into the trap of looking at the results first and then assigning a value to the event. No, our Optimist world sailor did not do so well. However Taariq was good enough in the world to post a first and that feeling and experience will never leave him!!!. The experience of sailing in a World event can never be reproduced on a National level. the experience that these sailor bring back to South Africa is invaluable and that is where South African Optimist sailing and sailing in general will benefit as others sail against these more "experience" sailors. Young Justin Onvlee would never have done so well in Laser 4.7's if he not gained Worlds experience when in Oppies!!!!!!!!! The likes of the Geoff Meeks (Skipper of Schosgoloza) Rick Nankin etc all came up through the breeding ground of Optimist sailing. We cannot and must not deny our young sailor the chance of Competing on the world stage just because they might not do so well. This would be ruinous to sailing in South Africa as the optimist sailor of today are our Champs of tomorrow!!!!!!!so lets nurture them. Yes it is expensive but the sailors, parent and Optimist Association work tirelessly to raise the fund necessary It's well worth it as the experience gained cannot be measured in rands and cents
Yours in sailing,
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