Puerto Rico's Fernando Monllor, 2007 champion, leads the pack.

The Scotiabank International Optimist Regatta is celebrating its 16th year and is hailed as the regatta that launched the current wave of interest in Optimist sailing in the Caribbean. The St. Thomas Yacht Club and Virgin Island Sailing Association-hosted regatta is set to sail June 19 to 22, 2008.

"We are hoping to break the 100-boat participation mark this year," says regatta director Cindy Hackstaff. "Our regatta is a great way to practice for the Optimist North American Championships, which start June 28 in Curacao."

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, Venezuela, Anguilla, Argentina, Canada, Germany and the U.S. mainland.

The pre-regatta activities begin Monday, June 16th and run through Wednesday, June 18th, 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 $225 for all registrants; $200 for Green Fleet and Virgin Islands' residents, and includes breakfast and lunch for the three days. Clinic registration closes on May 20th.

Final registration for the regatta takes place June 19. However, those that register prior to May 20th will have their names entered in a special drawing to win top-notch prizes.

The Sea Star Team Racing is also scheduled for June 19. "This isn't an official team racing event as we'll have the clinic coaches conducting the umpiring, but it is very popular", says Hackstaff. "Last year we had eight teams register and we expect more this year."

Entry fee for the Team Racing is $125 per team of 4 to 5 sailors. Registration closes at 5 p.m. on June 18.

The three-day regatta kicks off Friday June 20.

"We'll keep the Green Fleet closer to shore in Cowpet Bay where they'll 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 Pizza Party, raffle, Bingo and a Caribbean Night that include a firewalker and limbo dancing. The fun culminates with a beachside brunch and Awards Ceremony on June 22.

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.

The regatta entry fee is $150, and includes an event T-shirt, registration 'goodie' bag, all meals from Thursday June 19th's Welcoming Party through Sunday Brunch. The fee goes up to $175 through June 10th and $200 after June 10th.

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

Participating hotels and charter companies for housing include: Anchorage Beach Resort* (1-800-874-7897; www.antillesresorts.com/2anchorage.htm), Bolongo Bay Beach Club (340-775-1800; www.bolongobay.com), Elysian Beach Resort* (340-775-1000), Wyndham Sugar Bay Resort (340-777-7100; www.wyndham.com), and VIP Rentals (www.viprentals.com). *Ask for special Optimist Regatta rates.

© Copyright 2001/2002 caribbeanracing.com

Top of Page

A seriously dry dry-bag. Throw it in and swim ashore with it	Here's an excellent watch - proven as a startline winner in the BVI IC24 fleet.	Another must-have for small boat racing.	Gloves for the weekend warrior.