2017 Yearbook - A Year in Review

The 8-page 2017 IODA Yearbook offers a snapshot of the incredible IODA events that took place over the past year.   

From the South American Championships in Encarnacion, Paraguay; to the North Americans in Toronto, Canada; to the Africans in Alexandria, Egypt; to the Worlds in Pattaya, Thailand; to the Europeans in Bourgas, Bulgaria; to the European Team Racing in Lago di Ledro, Italy; and finally to the Asian and Oceanians in Hong Kong, I can say that sailing in the Optimist class is strong and activity in many parts of the world is growing if not thriving. It is very exciting to be part of the Optimist Class. 

Many thanks to all of the Organisers of our seven IODA Events for their hard work and dedication over this past year, planning and organizing these very important championships for us and to the host venues for welcoming so many teams and sailors from around the world. These championships could not have been possible without your efforts and those of the hundreds of volunteers that together made this such a succesful IODA year. 

I had the pleasure of attending the North Americans, the World Championhips, the Europeans as well as the Asian & Oceanian championships this past year.  It was an absolute pleasure to work with so many amazing people and to meet so many of our Members, families and sailors from different parts of the world.   I feel very priveleged to be part of such a wonderful Optimist Family. 

On behalf of IODA, we look forward to meeting new faces in 2018 and to meet those of you from this past year again in the coming year.

Fiona Kidd, Secretary General