Italy Withdraws as Host of the 2020 European Team Racing Championship

IODA has been informed by the Organizing Committee of the 2020 IODA European Team Racing Championship that they have made the decision to withdraw as the host of the Championship this year.

It has been confirmed that the organizers, the Associazione Vela Lago di Ledro “will refund the entry fees to countries that have already paid.”

We would like to thank our Member from Italy, the Associazione Italiana Classe Optimist, the Associazione Vela Lago di Ledro, as well as, the Italian Sailing Federation (FIV) and the many members of the Organizing Committee for all their hard work and support in the planning of the 2020 European Team Racing Championship. We respect their decision and we look forward to coming to Lago di Ledro, Italy for the 2021 European Team Racing Championship next year.

With our Member from Italy withdrawing as the host, according to IODA Continental Championship Condition 8.4, “the IODA Executive Committee shall take such action to appoint an alternative host as it finds necessary.” As a result, the Executive Committee can consider a bid from a Member who might wish to host the 2020 European Team Racing Championship this year.

If any Member would like to be considered as a host of the 2020 European Team Racing Championship, please inform the IODA VP Carmen Casco at europeVP@optiworld.org, Fiona Kidd at sec_gen@optiworld.org  and Susan Elliot Beatty at regattasecretary@optiworld.org as soon as possible, but no later than June 10, 2020.

This can follow with the completion of a ‘Bid Form to Host an IODA Championship’ found here and submit it to IODA to the attention of the Regatta Committee secretary Susan Elliot Beatty, at regattasecretary@optiworld.org on or before June 17, 2020. 

IODA is committed to holding our 2020 Events if possible. However, the IODA Executive Committee will consider the following matters when proceeding with IODA Events in 2020:

• Safety of our sailors and participants at events
• Ability of host to organize an event along the World Sailing COVID-19 event guidelines
• Ability for wide inclusivity of the IODA Members to participate in an event
• Ensuring the level of IODA standards of on-water racing are met

IODA continues to monitor the COVID-19 situation as it effects our 2020 Events.  Recently many countries have started to open and are providing access to sailing on the water if social distancing and health precautions are maintained. This is good news for Optimist sailors.

We hope that over the coming weeks we can see borders opening and travel restrictions reduced between countries.  This will enable us to begin to confirm dates of our postponed championships in 2020.