2022 NAMS Officially Opens to Island Fanfare

The 2022 Optimist North American Championship hosted by the Nassau Yacht Club has officially opened in Nassau, Bahamas marked by the parade of nations led by the Royal Bahamas Police Force Band and Sigrid Beckmann, IODA VP of Americas declaring the event 'Open' as the IODA Flag was raised. 

Fourteen nations from the Americas (ANT, ARG, BAH, BER, BRA, CAN, CHI, MEX, PAN, PER, PUR, USA, URU, and ISV) are in attendance along with sailors from 6 international nations (BEL, FRA, GER, NED, SWE, and SUI).  A total of 155 sailors have come to Nassau to test their skills and challenge to become the 2022 Optimist North American Champion.

Fleet racing starts today and will consist of two days of races in the qualification series.  The event will change gears midweek as the 2022 Optimist North American Team Racing and Nations Cup will take place.   The last two days of the championship will switch back to fleet racing for the Final Series to determine the next Optimist North American Champion.

Bahamas last hosted the championship in 2019 only weeks after Hurricane Dorian devastated the island.  They have come back stronger than ever hosting this event for the second time in 3 years and have developed an enthusiastic and successful Optimist program that now sends sailors to all the major IODA championships.  The legacy from 2019 continues today.

VP America’s, Sigrid Beckmann welcomed the sailors and teams to the championship. She commented, “We cannot be happier to be back in the clear blue waters of the Bahamas and to meet all of you again in this wonderful venue where we have always been received with incredible hospitality and fabulous sailing conditions.”

 “I want to thank the organizing committee, all the volunteers, the Nassau Yacht Club, The Bahamas Optimist Class and the sailors of team Bahamas for working so hard to make this event happen and for welcoming us with open arms and so much kindness.”

To the sailors she said, “enjoy this incredible venue with your teammates and friends, new and old. Have a great week of sailing, friendship, nature and endless sun. ……..Sail fast, sail safe and sail fair.”

We welcome our new member from Panama who has entered a young sailor for the first time.  We look forward to a great week of competition and fun.

The racing runs from November 15^th through November 19^th.  

For results, go to the link here. 

To follow the action, go to the Event Microsite here or use the mobile IODA App.  Download it for free from the Apple Store or Google Play.