30th International Optimist, Clinic & Team Race in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands – June 12-18th

Want to tune-up for the Optimist North American Championships in Antigua & Barbuda in July? Or learn new tactics for a summer of racing? Or compete in the 30^th anniversary of this event, whose past entrants read like a Who’s Who of college all-Americans; national, continental, and world champions; America’s Cup sailors, and Olympians.

Register now for the International Optimist Regatta (IOR), the TOTE Clinic, and TOTE Team Race. Early entry registration for the IOR is $300 through May 1; $350 after this date. The fee includes an event T-shirt, registration ‘goodie’ bag, and all meals from Thursday dinner through Sunday’s Brunch. This trio of events takes place from June 12 to 18, 2023, at the St. Thomas Yacht Club (STYC), in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. More specifically, the TOTE Clinic happens from June 12 to 14, followed by the TOTE Team Race, on June 15, and the IOR, June 16 to 18.

“Already, we have sailors registered representing the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and several states in the U.S.A.,” says Emily Zimmerman, regatta director, and STYC Commodore. “Now celebrating our 30^th anniversary, the IOR’s combination of a clinic, team race, and regatta has proven successful, and it’s become a sought-after event to prepare sailors for upcoming regional and international events. We are pleased to have sponsors such as the K3 Company support this event and will be awarding their high-quality dry bags as top prizes.”

Among the 60-plus entries to date is Amelia Woodworth, from Fairfield, Connecticut, who finished 6^th overall in the 2022 IOR. Since then, Woodworth has competed in two Optimist South American Championships in Brazil and Peru, as well as fleet raced in France and Argentina and team raced in Germany and Italy.

“St. Thomas continues to be my favorite all-around place to sail,” says Woodworth, who sails with LISOT (Long Island Sound Optimist Team) under coach Pepe Bettini. “At this year's IOR I’m looking forward to the amazing wind and great competition. What I like best about sailing in IOR is the warm water, large swell, and off-the-water experiences with my friends. It is such a beautiful place, and I am looking forward to coming back!”

Three In One Event

The spectacular week of junior sailing kicks off with the TOTE Maritime Clinic, June 12 to 14. Some of the best Optimist coaches conduct on-the-water training sessions and instructive on-land debriefs for both Advanced (age-divided Red, White, and Blue Fleets) and beginner (Green Fleet) sailors. This year’s coaches include Argentina’s Gonzalo ‘Bocha’ Pollitzer, who has three Optimist World Champions to his credit; the USA’s Esteban ‘Pilo’ Rocha, currently the advanced racing coach at the Lauderdale Yacht Club and a past World’s team coach; the USA’s Manny Resano, from the California Yacht Club, who has coached the US team in many international events; and the USA’s Mykel Alonso, the green fleet head coach at Coral Reef Yacht Club.

On June 15, over a dozen teams are expected for the TOTE Maritime Team Race. The entry fee for this one-day event is $160 per team of 4 sailors. Registration is available only on-site from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on June 14th.

The IOR sets sail from June 16 to 18.

“The main focus of the clinic is starts, especially in a big fleet, and on understanding the geographical wind shifts and currents that we cover in the point-to-point ‘Volvo’ Race,” says Agustin ‘Argy’ Resano, St. Thomas Yacht Club coach, and Clinic and Team Race organizer. “The clinic/regatta combo is the perfect training scenario, where you develop your skills and then put that knowledge into practice. The team racing event between the two just gives a ‘full experience’, as it's a different sailing format where the sailors race in teams of four. In all, it’s the perfect week. Plus, we get seven days of sailing guaranteed in open ocean waters, with 12 to 20 knots of wind, big waves, and warm weather.”

Trophies will be awarded to the top five finishers in the Red, Blue, and White classes and the top three overall as well as the top place female. Participation awards will be awarded to all Green fleet sailors. Additional awards include the Peter Ives’ Perpetual Trophy (superb sailor/individual), the Chuck Fuller Sportsmanship Perpetual Trophy, and the perpetual Founders Trophy, awarded to the Top Female sailor.

MAKE PLANS NOW!

For charters, contact Simmons Boatworks at:

simmonsbw.com/collections/packages-transfers/products/winner-3d-star-optimist-charter The charter package comes with a Winner-brand hull with airbags, blocks, 3-to-1 mainsheet, and painter, on a dolly, with top cover. The deadline to reserve charter boats is May 13, 2023.

For coach boat charters, contact Zimmerman: internationaloptiregatta@gmail.com  

Traveling to St. Thomas is easy! The following airlines fly direct from major U.S. cities: American (Boston, Miami, New York, San Juan), Delta (Atlanta, New York), JetBlue (Boston), Spirit (Fort Lauderdale), and United (Chicago, Newark, Washington Dulles). Airlines connecting St. Thomas to the Caribbean include Cape Air, LIAT, and Seaborne Airlines.

Available accommodations on St. Thomas in the Cowpet Bay area where the regatta takes place include hotels, B&Bs, resorts, villas, condos, VRBO rentals, and Airbnb’s. For more information, visit: www.visitusvi.com and usvihta.com

For more information, Email: internationaloptiregatta@gmail.com or call (408) 314-7119. Or, for the Notice of Regatta (NOR), Registration Form, and other information, visit the St. Thomas Yacht Club website at stthomasyachtclub.org/sailing/regattas/international-optimist-regatta  or Regatta Network: www.regattanetwork.com/event/25798. Please also visit the International Optimist Regatta on social media! @internationaloptiregatta