This article was just sent and although it is "old news", it is also very news worthy.

On Jan Thiel Beach, Curacao, Netherlands Antilles , from June 28 - July 5, 205 competitors from 25 countries, and 5 continents competed in the IODA (International Optimist Dinghy Association) North American Championship. Reigning champion Raul Rios of Puerto Rico retained his title by the narrowest of margins in the final race of the championship. If he had not won the race or Rachel Lee (SIN) had registered another bullet, their positions would have been reversed. 2006 North American champion Ivan Aponte and Singapore's Russell Kan were also still very much in contention.

The Singaporean team had been specially invited to raise the level of sailing at the event and with three of their four sailors in the top 10 they certainly did that. Otherwise the leaderboard, with four Puerto Ricans, two ISV sailors and Ard van Aanholt from hosts Curaçao (AHO) making up the rest of the 10 Caribbean sailors dominated. Other islands also showed promise with sailors from the Dominican Republic, Trinidad and Barbados all figuring in the top 60 of the 204 boat fleet from 25 countries. The AHO team which is sponsored by Seven Island Investments showed remarkable progress. Coach Martin Jenkins, two times World Champion in the Optimist class, managed to raise the level of sailing resulting in 5 sailors in the top 50.

In the girls' ranking it was a different story. South American sailors Lucia Falasca (ARG) and Kamilla Sabogal (ECU) took open silver and bronze, while the closed North American prizes went to Morgan Kiss (USA), Nikki Barnes (ISV) and Christina Lewis (USA).

In the TEAM RACING: Puerto Rico retained the North American TR championship. But host Netherlands Antilles surprised everybody by winning the silver.

The 12 races can still be seen through the race tracking system and inside information can be read in the OPTINAM newsletter at www.optinam2008.org

With a record of 25 participating countries, sailors from 5 continents and of course the premiere of the race tracking system, the opening in the middle of the center of Willemstad, the rocking closing ceremony with fireworks and dance shows by Optimist sailors an OPTINAM not easily to be forgotten. Dominican Republic is up to the challenge to organize the North American Optimist Championship in 2009.

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