20th International Optimist Regatta (SIOR)

by Carol Bareuther on 8 Jun 2012 A record-breaking 100-plus fleet of Optimists from throughout the Caribbean, U.S. and Europe are ready to race in the 2012 Scotiabank International Optimist Regatta (SIOR), June 22 to 24, and race prep Sea Star Clinic and Sea Star Team Race, June 18 to 21.

Entrants include 2011 SIOR champion Wiley Rogers and the U.S. World’s Team who will compete in the Optimist World Championships in the Dominican Republic in July.

'The schedule of international regattas this summer created an opportunity for sailors to come to the SIOR as well as train in the Virgin Islands,' says regatta director, Margo Lynch. 'We have teams arriving early to train and teams that are staying late to take advantage of the great sailing conditions in the USVI.'

The Sea Star Clinic run by top international coaches from Optisailors.com will focus on starts, tactics, and strategy.

Over 12 teams are expected for the Sea Star Team Race. Entry fee is $160 per team of four sailors. Registration closes at 5 p.m. on June 20th.

The entry fee for the SIOR is $250 with final registration on June 21st. The entry fee includes an event T-shirt, registration ‘goodie’ bag, and all meals from Thursday June 21st Welcome Party through Sunday’s Brunch.

Shore side activities include an opening Parade of Nations, a Welcome Party, raffle, 20th Anniversary Party, ice cream social and Caribbean-themed night that includes fire dancers. The fun culminates with a beachside brunch and Awards Ceremony on June 24th.

Trophies will be awarded to the top five sailors in each fleet and top three overall. Additional trophies include the Peter Ives’ Perpetual Trophy, the Chuck Fuller Sportsmanship Award and the top female sailor. The Sea Star Perpetual Trophy will be inscribed with the names of the sailors on the winning team racing team.

This year’s event will follow an eco-friendly theme. Sailors will be urged to recycle all plastic water bottles, use the reusable water bottle in the goodie bag throughout the regatta, keep all lunch bags and wrapping out of the water and pick up any trash on shore and accept drinks without straws.

For the Notice of Regatta, Registration Forms, information on hotel discounts and other information, visit the St. Thomas Yacht Club website

Please also visit the Scotiabank International Optimist Regatta on Facebook!

For charter boats, contact Alisa Forester, McLaughlin Boat Works,
1-800-784-6478, 1-423-875-0740, Email: alias(at)optistuff.com or http://www.optistuff.com

Scotiabank. Scotiabank is one of North America's premier financial institutions and Canada's most international bank. With more than 77,000 employees, Scotiabank and its affiliates serve some 19 million customers in more than 55 countries around the world. Locally, Scotiabank has served the U.S. Virgin Islands since 1963. It offers a full range of retail banking and commercial services through nine branches in the territory. With assets above $637 billion (as at January 31, 2012), Scotiabank trades on the Toronto (BNS) and New York Exchanges (BNS). For more information please visit www.scotiabank.com.

Sea Star Line, LLC. Headquartered in Jacksonville, FL, Sea Star Line offers cargo transportation services from North America to Puerto Rico and the Caribbean Islands. Sea Star’s RO/CON vessels are the most versatile in the trade – able to carry the widest range of unique and diverse cargoes. Company operations are certified to ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and Green Office standards, and was selected for the QMS Company of the Year Award. Sea Star recently received top honors as a recipient of the 2009 Logistics Management Quest for Quality Award in the Ocean Carrier segment.