Miami Yacht Club hosts 150+ sailors this week for O'Pen World Cup

by Tamme Flood on 30 Oct 2012 Over 150 sailors from all over the world aged 9-14 will compete in the O’Pen Bic World Cup 2012 at the Miami Yacht Club located on Watson Island between Miami and South Beach. For the first time in its history, this event will be held in the United States. The event will take place between October 31 and November 3, 2012.

The O’Pen Bic Class Championships have been held for the past five years in locations such as Ascona, Switzerland (2012) and Martinique in the Caribbean (2011).

Miami Yacht Club was chosen to host this exciting event because of its prime sailboat racing location in the heart of Biscayne Bay, the mild climate of Miami and the vibrant international community. Miami Yacht Club’s Youth Sailing Foundation also boasts the World Champion in under 12 O’Pen Bic for the past two years. It has sent its top racers to the podiums of major races all over the globe.

The O’Pen Bic Racing Dinghy was designed as a way to energize youth sailing programs. It is a new class – just five years old – but has captured the heart of young sailors. Using the 'Bailing is cancelled' tag line, the marketing efforts tout the 'energized sailing' theme – exciting videos of kids out on the water having fun. A series of 'UN-Regattas' gets them into racing…by taking the pressure off and making it more fun.

This will be the first O’Pen Bic World Cup in the United States and it’s right in the heart of Miami. Please join us in welcoming over 250 international visitors to our city!