Registration opens January 1, 2024, noon AST for International Optimist Regatta
by Carol Bareuther 20 Dec 2023 08:14 PST
June 9-16, 2024
Close racing in the lee of islands at the 2023 IOR © Matias Capizzano
Registration opens on January 1, 2024, at Noon (AST) @ www.regattanetwork.com for the 31st International Optimist Regatta (IOR). The IOR, TOTE Clinic, and the TOTE Team Race will take place June 9-16, 2024, at the St. Thomas Yacht Club.
More specifically, the TOTE Clinic takes place June 10-12, followed by the TOTE Team Race, on June 13, and the IOR on June 14-16. For over three decades, this week-long event has been recognized throughout the Caribbean and the World for providing great skill-sharpening grounds for top sailors and an excellent entry-level platform for juniors new to the sport.
"The St. Thomas Yacht Club (STYC) invites sailors to the 2024 IOR, TOTE Clinic, and TOTE Team Race," says Lauren Hodgins, regatta co-director with Lori Vaughan. "This year, the IOR offers a fantastic opportunity to tune up for the Optimist North American Championships, set for July 13-20, in neighboring San Juan, Puerto Rico. Also, IOR sailors have gone on to become college All-American sailors, Olympic and America's Cup sailors, which underscores the caliber of the competition and conditions here in the U.S. Virgin Islands. We look forward to welcoming sailors, their friends, and families to St. Thomas to race with steady tradewinds, sunny warm seas, and great competition."
The 2024 IOR can accept only a maximum of 125 sailors. Therefore, register early at: www.regattanetwork.com The registration fee for the IOR is $300, with late registration after May 1st of $350. The fee to enter the IOR and TOTE Clinic is $700, or $400 for the Clinic only. A refund, less a $150 processing fee, will be granted to those entries that cancel by May 1, 2024.
"In keeping in line with TOTE's emphasis on safety, reliability, and commitment, TOTE is again honored to sponsor the TOTE Clinic and the TOTE Team Race for the 14th year. TOTE is proud to be associated with the International Optimist Regatta 2023," says Clarence Nibbs, Terminal Manager USVI, for TOTE Maritime
Some of the best sailors in the sport are expected to participate in this Caribbean Sailing Association-sanctioned regatta. Sailors can compete in Advanced Red (ages 13-15), Blue (ages 11-12), and White (ages 10 and under) as well as the Beginner Green fleet.
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 Founder's Perpetual Trophy (Top Female).
The IOR is sponsored by TOTE, U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism, The K3 Company, Cardow, MSI Building Supplies, and Lagnappe Interiors.
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. N1 Blades Optimax Spars included. The deadline to reserve charter boats is May 1, 2024.
"We're happy to offer continuous support of junior sailing in the U.S. Virgin Islands!" says Rob Simmons, president of Simmons Boatworks.
For coach boat charters, contact: internationaloptiregatta@gmail.com
Traveling to St. Thomas is easy! The following airlines fly direct from major U.S. cities: American Airlines (Charlotte, Dallas, Miami, New York), Delta (Atlanta, New York), Frontier (San Juan), JetBlue (Boston, San Juan), Spirit (Fort Lauderdale, Orlando) and United (Chicago, Newark, Washington-Dulles). Air Sunshine, Cape Air, Fly the Whale, Sea Flight, and SKYhigh Dominicana are airlines that operate within the Caribbean with service to St. Thomas.
Available accommodations on St. Thomas in the Cowpet Bay area where the regatta takes place include hotels, B&Bs, resorts, villas, condominiums, VRBO rentals, and Airbnb's. For more information, visit: www.visitusvi.com and www.usvihta.com.
For more information, Email: internationaloptiregatta@gmail.com or call (340) 775-6320. 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. Please also visit the International Optimist Regatta on Facebook and Instagram @internationaloptiregatta.