Calling all junior sailors! Parents, family and friends too! The 2009 Scotiabank Caribbean International Optimist Regatta is celebrating its 17th year, marking nearly two decades of fostering junior sailing in the Caribbean. The St. Thomas Yacht Club and Virgin Island Sailing Association-hosted and Caribbean Sailing Association-sanctioned regatta is set to sail June 19th to 21st, 2009.

"We hope to host more sailors this year even though the economy is challenging because youth sailing provides wonderful physical, social and cultural opportunities for the kids and these parents are committed to providing the best for their children," says regatta director Cindy Hackstaff, referring to 2008's record 96-sailor participation. "Our regatta is a great way to practice for the Optimist North American Championships, which start June 30 in Boca Chica, Dominican Republic."

Junior sailors from 8 to 15 years of age are expected from destinations such as all three U.S. Virgin Islands, the British Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Trinidad, St. Maarten, the Dominican Republic, Spain and the U.S. mainland and many others.

What makes this event special, says Hackstaff, "is that we have an extremely high caliber of racing amongst the young sailors, plus we always have great sailing conditions. Many sailors use the clinic as a training experience and we also have a team racing event. Finally, we have fun activities and evening events that cater to the kids and even the parents have a great time."

The pre-regatta activities begin Monday, June 15th and run through Wednesday, June 17th, when top international coaches will teach a three-day instructional clinic.

"The idea of the clinic is too offer high level coaching to a wide range of skill levels, from medium to high level sailors," says Agustin 'Argy' Resano, who's heading up the clinic with Optisailor coaches, Gonzalo 'Bocha' Pollitzer and Manuel 'Manny' Resano, as well as Leandro Spina from the No Excuses Sailing Team in Florida.

Resano adds, "The clinic will run from 8:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. and we will have two sessions, morning and afternoon. Each session will have meetings before going out and a video briefing after sailing. This way we can set two different goals each day, morning and afternoon."

Cost of the clinic is $250 for all registrants; $225 for Green Fleet and Virgin Islands' residents, and includes breakfast and lunch for the three days. Clinic registration closes on May 15th.

The Sea Star Team Racing event is scheduled for June 18th. "Last year we had 12 teams register and we expect more this year," says Hackstaff. Entry fee for the Team Racing is $150 per team of 4 or 5 sailors. Registration closes at 5 p.m. on June 17th.

Final registration for the regatta takes place June 18th. In addition, those that registered prior to May 15th will have their names entered into a special drawing to win top-notch prizes. The three-day regatta kicks off Friday June 19th. The regatta entry fee is $185, which includes an event T-shirt, registration 'goodie' bag, and all meals from Thursday June 18th's Welcome Party through Sundays Brunch. The fee goes up to $225 after May 15th.

"We'll keep the Green Fleet closer to shore in Cowpet Bay where they will sail windward-leeward courses and we'll take the Advanced Red, Blue and White Fleets further offshore to sail trapezoidal-shaped courses," says Hackstaff. "This gives each fleet an area where they feel comfortable and can be competitive."

Shore side activities include an opening Parade of Nations, a Welcome Party, raffle, a Bingo night and Caribbean-themed night that includes a fire blowers. The fun culminates with a beachside brunch and Awards Ceremony on June 21st.

Trophies will be awarded to the top five 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.

Hackstaff encourages everyone who has heard of the regatta to come out this year and to tell your sailing friends what a great sailing experience you had (or will have) at the Scotiabank Caribbean International Optimist Regatta.

For more information contact Cindy Hackstaff at: cindy@styc.net or Bill Canfield at: wkcanfield@gmail.com; Tel: 340-775-6320; Fax: 340-775-3600. Or, for the Notice of Regatta, Registration Forms and other information, visit the St. Thomas Yacht Club web site at www.styc.net

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

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