Notice of Race published and entries open for OptiOrange Valencia 2021 edition

OptiOrange Valencia 2020 © Denis Razumovic

The fourth edition of OptiOrange Valencia is getting closer. Now the organizers St.Petersburg Yacht Club and hosting Real Club Náutico de Valencia are ready to disclose the Notice of race and start to accept entries. The dates of OptiOrange Valencia 2021 are set for March 4-7.

Conceived around three main principles - strong competition, fun and easy access - OptiOrange Valencia inaugurated in 2018 with 60+ entries. For its second edition in 2019 the entry list has grown dramatically up to 316 entries from 16 nations with some world-top sailors enrolled.

With kind support of partners Volvo Vedat Valencia, North Sails, Garmin and others, the spring-2020 event really became one to remember: 345 sailors from 27 countries crowded the Royal Valencian yacht club's piers. At that moment, no one could imagine that OptiOrange Valencia 2020 would be the last international Optimist class event for long months of lockdown that followed shortly. Instead, the regatta was a total success with fierce competition facilitated by different weather conditions. The impulse given by OptiOrange Valencia 2020 was long felt among the Optimist class crowd.

For the next edition, the organizers St.Petersburg Yacht Club and hosting Real Club Náutico de Valencia are ready to develop OptiOrange Valencia success story given the health situation would allow for.

Firstly, all the features that quickly made the OptiOrange Valencia so successful will be maintained. These are low entry fee, affordable boat charter, and definitely free unlimited orange juice. As usual, the early-bird entry fee will be 90 Euros per competitor from the moment of the NOR publication until the February 1rst, 2021. Then, until February 14th, the 150 Euros entry fee will come into effect. From February 14th the entry process will be closed. For OptiOrange Valencia 2021 the competitors' quantity limited as 300 sailors. Hence, should the government cancel the regatta, the entry fees will be refunded.

There are some forced changes to the regular program of the regatta. Due to the present COVID-related restrictions, all the social events will be canceled. For instance, the Organizing committee considers elimination of (so popular) spectator boat and shuttle bus. Definitely, to minimize personal interactions, the teams will be assigned different locations inside the club. The prize draws will be moved to social media.

Instead, the Organizers are planning to focus on the racing program, providing the best on-water service and organization to make OptiOrange 2021 even more competitive.

Now the organizers are happy to receive entries. The NOR is available on the official regatta page as well as entry forms.

The organizers St.Petersburg Yacht Club and hosting Real Club Náutico de Valencia are willing to express gratitude to OptiOrange Valencia partners Volvo Vedat Valencia, North Sails, Garmin, Sailing Quack, ESP26, Rooster Spain, Coca-Cola, OH Naranjas, Hotel Albufera, Holiday Inn Express.

optiorangevalencia.com