A team of young sailors from the Rarotonga Sailing Club (RSC) achieved impressive results at the Oceania Optimist and ILCA4 2025 Championship in Tahiti last month.

The championship is an annual event held from April 1 – 4 is hosted by Yacht Club de Tahiti and this was the first RSC team to compete in recent years.

The Rarotonga sailors competed in both the Optimist and ILCA 4 classes.

Tahiti delivered a superb event with all of the scheduled 20 races being completed in nice winds flowing across the lagoon.

The Optimist fleet included 15 sailors from Tahiti, Rarotonga and New Caledonia.

The Cook Islands had six sailors racing with Edmund Postrzygacz finishing fifth overall, closely followed by Duke Burgess and John Hoff in sixth and ninth places, respectively. Omni Tauakume, Aroko Kirkwood and Jiro Daniel, competing in their first international regatta, also impressed with some good racing.

According to Postrzygacz, “The wind was following a consistent pattern, with lighter breeze in the morning races that then built for the afternoon session. There was more wind along the edge of the reef that you could use to your advantage. Overall, it was great racing.”

In the ILCA 4 (Laser Radial) class, 12 sailors competed.

Niva Malcolm was the first RSC finisher in fourth overall, a fantastic result and only a few points off the podium.

Olivia Postrzygacz had a fierce battle at the top of the silver fleet to finish second and eighth overall, just a single point off first. Klaasje Nia finished the regatta strongly with a 1, 3, 2 on the final day to secure 10^th overall.

In preparation for the Tahiti regatta, the sailors committed to their training under the guidance of coach Jacobo Miquel.

“I’m very proud of these young sailors and the way they approach their racing. They are getting better and better and will do great things in the future,” said Miquel.

“The team had a great competition and never gave up. In both the Optimist and Laser classes, the Rarotonga sailors raced with determination and confidence.”

RSC commodore Chris Fenwick said it was fantastic to see the relationship between the RSC and Yacht Club de Tahiti growing.

“They were amazing hosts, and we are looking forward to their visit to Rarotonga in November this year for the next regatta.”

In addition to sailing, the team experienced and enjoyed the local culture and food.

“There was a Tahitian cultural performance at the opening ceremony with Omni Tauakume also leading a performance from the Cook Islands team. Our sailors enjoyed a range of food from the local markets and we’re thankful for the support and generosity offered by the Tahitian community,” said team manager Adrianna Skurosz.

The Rarotonga sailors who competed in the championship regatta in Tahiti were: ILCA A4's (Laser Class) - Olivia Postrzygacz, Klaasje Nia, and Niva Malcolm. Optimist Class: John Hoff, Edmund Postrzygacz, Duke Burgess, Aroko Kirkwood, Jiro Daniel, and Omni Tauakume.