2015 USODA National Championships — Registration now open

by Talbot Wilson on 14 Apr 2015 2015 USODA National Championships — All Optimist dinghy sailors worldwide are now invited to register to enter the race July 18-26 in Pensacola Florida. The Pensacola Yacht Club (PYC) and the people of Northwest Florida will host the three 2015 USODA National Championship events with plenty of spectacular racing on Pensacola Bay and plenty of fun in Florida’s First city.

Pensacola Mayor Aston Haywood has invited all Opti sailors to come to Florida this summer. “As Mayor of Pensacola Florida, let me invite young Optimist Dinghy sailors from all over the USA and from all over the world to come to Pensacola this July for the 2015 USODA National Championships at Pensacola Yacht Club here on the shore of Pensacola Bay.'

“Pensacola is Florida’s first city,” Hayward continued. “We want you to come to come here for the challenge of racing in the Opti Championship regattas, and we want you to stay in Pensacola for a family vacation to enjoy all the city and Northwest Florida have to offer. To learn all about our city, bays and beaches, please go to website”

Registration for both the 2015 USODA National Championship and the 2015 USODA Girls National Championship are now open. A link to the USODA registration portal is here. It is also available directly through the members only section of the USODA website.

Registration for the USODA Team Race National Championship, the lead event in Pensacola will open soon. The Notice of Race for each of these events is now posted at documents and registration here.

The 2015 National Championship regatta is a USODA Team Trials Qualifying (TTQ) event. The top 50% of Team Trials eligible Championship Fleet competitors, as defined by the USODA, based on the final results using the total number of boats registered in both the Championship and Green Fleet, are eligible for entry into the 2016 USODA Team Trials. The top team in the Team Race National Championship will be invited to represent the USA at the Opti Team Cup Berlin in October.

The Pensacola Yacht Club expects over 400 sailors for these elite events. There will also be ‘beginners’ Green Fleet racing in the shallow waters off of Sanders Beach adjacent to Pensacola Yacht Club. In total PYC expects over 2000 people to be involved in the championships as participants, coaches, race officials, volunteers and parents supporting their young green and championship fleet challengers.

“This championship will be a week-long sailing spectacular on Pensacola Bay,” said chairman Jim Baus. “It is sailed by International Optimist Dinghy sailors from eight to 15 years old. The event is really three championships: the USODA Team Race National Championship, the USODA Girls National Championship, and the USODA National Championship. Green Fleet Racing is for less experienced and less confident sailors, too.”

“Practice racing will be offered the week before,” Baus continued, “Two days of Team Racing leads the schedule, the Girls Championship is mid week and the overall National Championship regatta is the grand finale. PYC Facilities are available for practice starting July 11th, but sailors are also invited to the PYC US Sailing Junior Olympic Sailing Festival over the July 4th weekend which also offers fleet racing and Green Fleet racing in Optis.”

2015 USODA National Championships schedule:

Measurement and Check-in: Saturday July 18, 0900-1800 hrs.

Team Race National Championship:

Sunday July 19, Monday July 20, and Tuesday July 21
Measurement and Check-in: Saturday July 18 and by appointment ONLY on Sunday morning July 19
Awards Ceremony and Team Competition Dinner: Tuesday July 21

Girls National Championship: Wednesday July 22

Measurement and Check-in: Tuesday July 21 p.m. and by appointment ONLY on Wednesday morning July 22
Awards Ceremony: Wednesday July 22

National Championship: Thursday July 23 through Sunday July 26

Measurement and Check-in: Wednesday July 22 p.m. and by appointment ONLY on Thursday morning July 23
Opening Ceremony: Thursday morning July 23. prior to Skippers Meeting
Welcome Dinner: Thursday evening July 23
Dinner and Social Entertainment: Saturday evening July 25
Closing and Awards Ceremony: Sunday afternoon July 26 pm