Matilda Nicholls was crowned the UK National Champion of the 86 boat Regatta Racing Fleet at the Volvo Gill Optimist British National and Open Championship yesterday.The nine-year-old Bermuda Optimist Dinghy Association sailor claimed the top spot in her division after the second day and never looked back.Nicholls joined 450 opti sailors in seven divisions at the Pwllheli Sailing Club in North West Wales for the five day event. She finished in the top 10 of every race except for one which she was able to discard. She also scored a total of four first place finishes.Wind conditions ranged from practically nothing on the first day to 8-12 knots for the rest of the regatta.Matilda’s younger sister Flo also performed extremely well finishing 12th in the 64 boat Regatta Coaching Fleet, winning the last race of the regatta which moved her up the leader board significantly.Also representing Bermuda at the event was 13-year-old Rory Caslin who sailed very well at the top of the Senior Racing Fleet and qualified for the 71 boat Gold Division where he finished 18th in a strong field of international sailors. The Champion of the Gold Fleet was Leonard Takahashi-Fry from New Zealand.