Registration open for International Optimist Regatta, TOTE Clinic & TOTE Team Race
by Carol Bareuther 6 Jan 2025 11:08 PST
June 9-15, 2025
International Optimist Regatta 2024 © Matias Capizzano
Registration is open for the 32nd International Optimist Regatta (IOR). The IOR, TOTE Clinic, and the TOTE Team Race will take place June 9-15, 2025, at the St. Thomas Yacht Club.
More specifically, the TOTE Clinic takes place June 9-11, followed by the TOTE Team Race on June 12, and the IOR on June 13-15.
"The St. Thomas Yacht Club (STYC) invites sailors to the 2025 IOR, TOTE Clinic, and TOTE Team Race," says Lori Vaughan, regatta co-director with Heather Scholes. "The beauty of our largest annual Optimist sailing event in the Caribbean is that it offers a fantastic opportunity for experienced national team sailors to tune up for the Optimist World Championships in Slovenia, June 26-July 6, while at the same time provides an incredible chance for beginner sailors to compete in their own fleet, all in the U.S. Virgin Islands world-class sailing conditions."
For three-plus decades, this week-long trio of events 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. Also, several IOR sailors have become college All-Americans, America's Cup sailors, and Olympians. Most recently, IOR alumni Odile Van Aanholt of the Netherlands won a Gold medal in the Women's 49er FX for Team Netherlands, while Ian Barrows of the U.S. Virgin Islands earned a Bronze medal in Men's 49er for Team USA in the 2024 Summer Olympics.
The 2025 IOR can accept only a maximum of 125 sailors. Therefore, register early here. The registration fee for the IOR is $300, and late registration after May 1st is $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, 2025.
"In keeping 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 15th year. TOTE is proud to be associated with the International Optimist Regatta 2025," 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, the top three overall, and the top-place female. Participation awards will given 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, the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism, and CC1.
Make plans now!
For charters, contact Simmons Boatworks here. 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 charter fee is $650, which includes the clinic and practice days. The deadline to reserve charter boats is May 1, 2025. Late fee and no refunds after May 1, 2025.
"We are excited to provide charter boats for IOR again in 2025. It's our favorite event of the year. St Thomas is fun, and the event has always been easy to attend," says Rob Simmons, president of Simmons Boatworks.
For coach boat charters, contact:
Traveling to St. Thomas is easy! The Cyril E. King Airport welcomes direct flights on six major airlines from mainland gateway cities in the U.S. These include American Airlines (Charlotte, Dallas, Miami, New York), Delta (Atlanta, New York), Frontier (San Juan), JetBlue (Boston, San Juan), Spirit (Fort Lauderdale, Orlando), and United (Houston, Newark, Washington-Dulles). Air Sunshine, Cape Air, Fly the Whale, Sea Flight, and SKYhigh Dominicana operate within the Caribbean, serving St. Thomas.
Accommodations on St. Thomas include resorts, hotels, inns, bed and breakfasts, and timeshares. Approximately 600 villa units and 200 charter yachts are on St. Thomas/St. John. Airbnb listings number over 3,000 in St. Thomas. For more information about the U.S. Virgin Islands, visit www.visitusvi.com
For more information, Email: or call (340) 775-6320. Or, for the Notice of Regatta (NOR), Registration Form, and other information, visit the St. Thomas Yacht Club website or Regatta Network: www.regattanetwork.com. Please also visit the International Optimist Regatta on Facebook and Instagram @internationaloptiregatta