History of the Association
1947
Optimist designed by Clark Mills in Clearwater, Florida, USA
1954
Optimist modified and introduced into Denmark by Axel Damsgaard
1960
Optimist introduced to England by Nigel Ringrose. Main dimensions stabilised.
1962
First World Championship (though wasn't called that) held in England. Denmark, Great Britain, West Germany and Sweden participate.
1965
International Optimist Dinghy Association founded. First members were Austria, Denmark, Finland, Great Britain, Norway, Sweden and USA followed shortly by Germany and Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe). Viggo Jacobsen (DEN) first President, his wife Edith first Secretary.
1966
Worlds first held in USA.
1970
Fibreglass hulls permitted. They did not become competitive until 1975-76 and wooden boats were still seen at the Worlds in 1981.
1973
International Optimist Dinghy Association recognised as an International Class by the International Yacht Racing Union (now ISAF). Issue of numbered building fee plaques begins. South American Optimist Championship created. Metal spars introduced. 20 nations at Worlds.
1976
North American Optimist Championship created.
1981
"Stitch & Glue" (now wood/epoxy) hull authorised. Girls prize at Worlds created.
1982
Nigel Ringrose (GBR) becomes President. Independent Secretariat established: Hanne Rix (DEN) becomes Secretary. 30 nations at Worlds.
1983
European Championship created. Team racing introduced at Worlds. IODA Yearbook first published.
1985
Al Chandler (THA) becomes President
1987
Girl wins Worlds for first time. Girls also won in 1996, 2005, 2010, 2011 and 2012.
1988
Direct judging introduced for team racing
1989
Helen Mary Wilkes (IRL) becomes President. Optiworld newsletter first published.
1990
Asian Championship created.
1993
41 countries at the Worlds.
1995
Strict one design hull introduced. Nesquik agree to sponsor IODA. Over the next three years they would contribute over USD500,000 to Optimist sailing. IODA website introduced.
1996
IODA, helped by Nesquik, starts its coach-training programme.
1997
Robert Wilkes becomes Secretary. Oceanian Championship created.
1998
Rene Kluin (NED) becomes President.
2000
59 nations participate in Millenium Worlds. This remains a world record for any Class Championship.
2001
IODA starts its Development programme. African Championship created.
2004
Foild made strictly one-design.
2006
Peter Barclay (PER) becomes President.
2008
Sally Burnett appointed as Secretary General
2011
First World Championship held in Oceania.
2012
50th Optimist Worlds in Dominican Republic
2013
Robert Wilkes publishes The Optimist Dinghy 1947-2007.
2016
Fiona Kidd appointed as Secretary General
2017
Kevin Whitcraft (THA) becomes President.
2019
The largest Optimist World Championship with 65 Nations takes place in Antigua.
2019
Marco Gradoni (ITA) wins 3rd Optimist World Championship Title and is awarded the 2019 Rolex World Sailor of the Year.