Optimist (dinghy) and Dragon (Inheritance): Difference between pages

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{{otheruses4|Dragons in the [[Inheritance trilogy]]|Dragons in general|Dragon}}

{| cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" border="1" align="right" style="margin-left: 0.5em" width=200px

{{fiction}}

! bgcolor="6699FF" | '''''Specifications Under Current Rules'''''

'''Dragons''' are an intelligent race that inhabit [[Alagaësia]], a fictional [[fantasy (genre)|fantasy world]] created by [[Christopher Paolini]]. They are a key part of the ''[[Inheritance Trilogy]]'', in which dragons are a nearly extinct and magical race.

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|[[Image:Optimist black.svg|center|100px]]

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{{spoiler}}

|-[[Image:dad_oppi.jpg]]

== Overview ==

|

Dragons have lived in [[Alagaësia]] since ancient times with the [[Alagaësia#Dwarves|Dwarves]]. The skin of a Dragon is nearly impenetrable, though the thin membrane of the wings can be easily pierced. Their scales glitter like gems, although each Dragon only has one scale color. They also have the same eye color as their scales, and their teeth and neck spikes are bone white. The Dragons breath flame the color of their scales, and some can impressively hold the flame for over an hour. The older the dragon grows, the longer they can hold the flame. They never stop growing until their death.

{| align="left"

[[Image:Eragon_Saphira_Poster.jpg|250px|thumb|300px|Saphira, the dragon protagonist of the series, as shown in the [[Eragon (film)|film version]] of ''Eragon''.]]

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| valign="top"|<small>Number of crew

Since the Dragons are bound to Alagaësia, they possess magical properties. Strange things seem to happen around Dragons - people live longer, the earth changes, and things of that nature, yet no one knows how it happens. It is possible these things happen because the Dragon's magic, which permeates every inch of their body. They cannot willingly use their magic, except for their fire. However, when using magic, their strength is unparalleled.

| valign="top"|<small>''1''

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| valign="top"|<small>LWL

| valign="top"|<small> 7ft

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| valign="top"|<small>LOA

| valign="top"|<small> 7ft 7in

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| valign="top"|<small>Beam

| valign="top"|<small>3ft 7in

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| valign="top"|<small>Hull weight (with fittings)

| valign="top"|<small>77lbs

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| valign="top"|<small>Sail Area

| valign="top"|<small>35 sq. ft

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|}

== History ==

|}

Before the formation of the Dragon Riders, a young elf hunted and killed a dragon like it was a common animal. The Dragons banded together and furiously attacked the Elves, leading into war.

The '''Optimist''' is a small, single-crew [[dinghy sailing|sailing dinghy]]. Mainly because of its economical simplicity and the practical size and weight restrictions it places on any skipper, it has become the most popular craft for introducing children to the sport of sailing. In some parts this boat is commonly called the "Opti" or "Oppy".

Five years into the war, an Elf called [[Eragon I|Eragon]] found a white Dragon egg and raised the hatchling within, naming him Bid'Daum ; it was they who stopped the war, allowing peace to follow. In order to prevent another war, the Dragons connected their souls with the Elves, changing both races. Dragons gained the use of language and other trappings of civilization, as well as becoming less fierce. Since Humans came afterwards, the Human Riders were never affected by the Dragons as greatly as the Elves were.

==Origin==

===History===

It was designed in [[1947]] by [[Clark Mills]]. The original design came from a popular soapbox racer shape that many children in Clearwater, Florida used. The local Optimist International association asked him to build a boat so that the children would sail instead of race around the streets. It quickly became popular in the area but only went international when a Danish skipper, Axel Domsgaard, visited the States. He then started promoting it in Scandinavia and from there it spread to the rest of the world.

== As mounts for Dragon Riders ==

The hull can essentially be characterized as a contoured box made of [[glass-reinforced plastic]] or [[plywood]]. The Optimist is sometimes mocked lightly as a "pram" or even derided as "a sailing bathtub". But although it breaks many of the principles of good boat design, it has surprisingly good handling characteristics.

The few Humans and Elves who ride Dragons like the Elf [[Eragon I]] are aptly called [[Dragon Riders]]. Dragons give their Riders "shining palms," a silver mark, or the "[[gedwey ignasia]]" as a result of the first physical contact between rider and dragon. Dragons communicate telepathically with their Riders, and house incredible magic that can combine with that of the Rider. Dragons are immortal and can also allow their Riders to be nearly immortal; old age will seldom kill them, although wounds or poison can. Over time the link between the dragon and rider will change the rider's appearance.

== major dragons==

{{in-universe}}

==Description==

{{Inheritance Character box|

[[Image:Optimist_dinghy.svg|right|180px]]

image= [[Image:eldest2japan.jpg|200px]]<br><small>Glaedr as painted by [[John Jude Palencar]] on the cover of the second Japanese volume of ''Eldest''||

name=Glaedr|

gender=Male|

hair=none|

eyes=Gold|

race=[[dragons (Inheritance)|Dragon]]|

loyalty=[[Oromis (character)|Oromis]]|

appearance=''Eldest''|}}

{{spoiler}}

===Sail===

'''Glaedr''' (Pronounced Glay-Dur) is a male golden [[Dragon (Inheritance)|dragon]] in [[Christopher Paolini]]'s ''[[Inheritance (trilogy)|Inheritance Trilogy]]''. He first appears in ''[[Eldest]]'', the second book of the trilogy. His [[Dragon Riders|Rider]] is [[Oromis]], who also is called ''Osthato Chetowä''—"The Mourning Sage" and ''Togira Ikonoka'' - "The Cripple Who Is Whole."

The single [[sail]] of the Optimist is [[spritsail|sprit-rigged]]. Two [[Parts of a sail|batten]]s stiffen the [[Parts of a sail#Non-triangular fore and aft sails|roach]]. It is secured evenly with ties along the [[Parts of a sail#Non-triangular fore and aft sails|luff]] to the [[mast (sailing)|mast]] and along the [[Parts of a sail#Non-triangular fore and aft sails|foot]] to the [[boom (sailing)|boom]], pulled down tightly by a [[boom vang|vang]]. The light, slim third [[spar]], the sprit, extends through a loop at the [[Parts of a sail#Non-triangular fore and aft sails|peak]] of the sail; the bottom rests in the eye of a short cable which hangs along the back edge of the mid-mast. Raising and lowering the sprit on these teeth or refastening the boom vang allow for adaptation of sail trim to a range of wind conditions.

Glaedr is the oldest dragon in the trilogy, senior even to Galbatorix's black dragon [[Shruikan]]. He is three times larger than Saphira, the [[Eragon|main character's]] dragon. Like his Rider, Glaedr is disabled——his left foreleg is nothing but a white stump in place. Glaedr and Oromis live in Du Weldenvarden, a forest in the north of [[Alagaesia]], the world in which the trilogy takes place. The two hid during [[The Fall (Inheritance)|The Fall]] when the dragon riders and dragons were being killed by a rebellious rider named [[Galbatorix]], for if Glaedr and Oromis had died before one of the remaining dragon eggs had hatched, then there would be no one left to pass on the secrets to the new Rider.

===Hull===

Just in front of a [[bulkhead (partition)|bulkhead]], which partitions the boat nearly in half, is the [[daggerboard]]. Right behind it on the centerline of the hull floor are attached a pulley and ratchet [[block (sailing)|block]]. These anchor the [[sheet (sailing)|sheet]] and its pulley on the boom directly above. At the [[bow (ship)|bow]] resides a wooden thwart to support the mast which passes through a hole in its center.

Oromis and Glaedr tutored the young riders [[Morzan]] and [[Brom (Inheritance)|Brom]].

As in some more elaborate types of dinghy, floats are installed inboard along each side in the front half of the boat to add buoyancy in the event of capsizing. Two straps run lengthwise along the floor from bulkhead to [[stern]]. These and a tiller extension allow a sailor to hang off the side for weight distribution--commonly called "hiking out". This can be crucial to maintaining the boat in near horizontal disposition during heavy air. A monograph-style "IO" insignia (after IODA) on the sail is common. Boats entering a regatta must also generally have an identifying number on the sail to facilitate scoring, dispute resolution and contestant interaction.

==Role==

==Introductory sailboat==

In ''[[Eldest]]'', Glaedr becomes [[Saphira]]'s teacher and the object of her affections. Oromis trains Saphira's Rider, [[Eragon (character)|Eragon]]. [[Saphira]] thinks that Glaedr will be her mate, but he rejects her. In this, Glaedr and Saphira have a fight which Saphira starts by scratching Glaedr in the right forleg. Glaedr respondes by biting Saphira in the thigh. Glaedr believes that the young female is meant for one of the unhatched dragon eggs. Later, on [[Eragon]]'s advice, Saphira apologizes to Glaedr.

== Role in the Inheritance Trilogy ==

Optimists are among the only boats well-suited for complete beginners to intermediate sailors between the ages of 8 and 15. Very small children are sometimes "doubled up" in Optimists but in general the boats should be regarded as single-handers - it is in this mode that children gain the most in terms of confidence and improved skills. Most sailing schools have a number of them and they are the first boat most beginners will sail.

In the events of the ''[[Inheritance Trilogy]]'', there are Dragons on each side of the war - [[Galbatorix]] houses one green unhatched Dragon egg and his own Dragon, [[Shruikan]]; under Galbatorix's control is [[Murtagh]] and his dragon [[Thorn (Inheritance)|Thorn]]. Fighting against Galbatorix for the [[Varden]] is [[Eragon (character)|Eragon]] and his dragon [[Saphira]], the last female dragon. Another Dragon is [[Glaedr]], who is the Dragon of [[Oromis]], the oldest remaining Rider, who is an Elf.

So far, the only dragon colors known are green (new dragon-unknown rider), blue ([[Saphira]] - [[Eragon (character)|Eragon]], [[Brom (Inheritance)|Brom]]), red ([[Thorn (Inheritance)|Thorn]] - [[Murtagh]]) and, we can assume [[Morzan]] since riders swords are the same color as their dragon), gold ([[Glaedr]] - [[Oromis]]), black ([[Shruikan]] - [[Galbatorix]]), white ([[Bid'Daum]] - Eragon the elf), brown (Mentioned by the elf Rhunon and[[ Brom]] tells [[Eragon]] that [[Miremel]] was brown), and purple (Mentioned by CP in an interview).

First-timer classes offered teach the rudiments of sailing technique in a variety of conditions depending on regional weather patterns but many also offer immediate immersion into competition within the topography of a standard race course.

Here is a chart of the known dragons and their riders.

Optimists are also the main training ground for future Olympic sailors. Over 60% start in the boat and over 40% of them are already international competitors by the age of 13-15. By December of the year in which they turn 15, Optimist racers are said to "age out"; that is, they become too old to continue racing.

Dragons Rider Color

[[Image:DSC_0300_resize.jpg|right|thumb|Professional optimist Sailor, James BER1023(made it my self- Photographer took it)]]

#Unknown / Unknown / Green

The Optimist is the biggest and most competitive youth racing class in the world. As well as the annual world championship the class also has six continental championships, attended by a total of over 700 sailors a year. Many thousands more take part in international and national regattas. Many of the top world Optimist sailors immediately become world-class [[Laser Radial]] or [[Laser 4.7|4.7]] sailors after they "age-out", and even average Optimist racers later do well in the "more advanced" classes including double-handers such as the 420 and 29er.

#Thorn /Murtagh /Red

#Saphira (2) / Eragon (2) / Blue

#Saphira (1) / Brom / Blue

#Shrukian / Galbatorix /Black

#Glaedr / Oromis /Gold

#Bid'daum /Eragon (1) / White

#Unknown but probaly also named Thorn / Morzan / Red

#lormungr / Unknown / Unknown

#vervada / none / Unknown

The (1) indicates the First Eragon or Saphira- the original rider and Brom's dragon and the (2) indicates the main character Eragon in the first and second book.

Here is a list of all the other known dragons mentioned by Brom in book 1 (Eragon):

Optimists provide real international competition because they are manufactured to the same specification by dozens of builders.

#Jura

The first World Championships were held in Great Britain in 1962, and they have since been arranged annually. For the first 20 years, the class was dominated by sailors from the Scandinavian countries, with 13 world champions. In the 1990s Argentina was by far the dominant country, and Argentina and Peru have ever since been the best team-racing countries in the world (the two together having won 12 team racing championships (IODA Challenge Cup) since 1990). Since the turn of the millennium there has been no single dominant country, with medallists from countries such as Trinidad, Bermuda and Malaysia.

#Fundor (Who fought the giant sea snake)

#Galzra

#Briam

#Ohen the Strong

#Gretiem

#Beroan

#Roslarb

#Vanilor (male)

#Eridor (male)

#Ingothold (male)

#Miremel (female, brown dragon)

#Opheila (female)

#Lenora (female)

[[Category:Fictional dragons]]

==Manufacture==

Over 4,000 boats a year are produced by nearly 40 builders worldwide. A list of them is available at [http://www.optiworld.org/ioda-builders.html www.optiworld.org/ioda-builders.html]

Saphira's parents were Iormunger and Vervada. Iormunger was a rider's dragon but Vervada was a wild female dragon who only gave 1 egg to the riders.

==Current Sailors==

{{inheritance}}

Some of the best optimist sailors include; Arianna Villena (ecu), Maria Jose Cucalon (ecu), Julian Autenrieth(world champion)(ger), Stephanie Zimmermann (4th in the world) (per), James Anfossi (ber)(77th in the world), Jordan Saints (67th in the world)(ber), Rufina Tan Hong Mui (mas), Griselda Khng (2nd in the world)(sin). All of these elite optimist sailors are extremely talented and are from all over the world. The Reason there is a big result difference in some of these sailors is just the experience difference. If they had a race between them anyone could win. Thats how competitive the optimist are and how much experience helps.

[[it:Drago (trilogia dell'eredità)]]

==Favorites==

[[Category:Inheritance Trilogy characters]]

The next world champion favorites are James Anfossi and Jordan Saints out of Bermuda coached by Pablo Weber, and Arianna Villena from Ecuador.

[[Category:Fictional magic users]]

== External links ==

* [http://www.optiworld.org/ Optimist Class Association]

* [http://www.boda.bm/ Bermuda optmist Dinghy asociation]

* [http://www.optiracing.com/ Optiracing]

* [http://www.optiparts.com/ Optimist parts]

* [http://www.optistuff.com/ McLaughlin Optimist]

* [http://www.teamvanguard.com/2005/base/content.asp?section=boats&dir=core&page=boats_index&boatid=7 Vanguard Sailboats Optimist website]

* [http://www.optimist.co.za/ Optimist Class Association, South Africa]

* [http://www.optimistjolle.no/ Optimist Class Norway]

* [http://www.far-east-optimist.de/ Far-East-Optimist]

{{International Dinghies}}

{{Sailing Dinghies and Skiffs}}

[[Category:Dinghies]]

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