All 185 competitors at the Optimist North American Championships sailed back into competition today off Store Bay, Tobago, after a two-day break for the IODA North American Team Racing Championship.

Peru takes the mark - Dean Barnes Photo

The Race Committee took advantage of winds blowing 15 to 20 knots to get in four races today. A four to five foot swell rolling across the course - windward-leeward with an offset mark and upwind finish – caused more than one boat to turtle and several others to swamp.

“We don’t usually get these conditions in Trinidad, but its’ nothing we can’t handle,” says Trinidad’s Matthew Scott, who has been among the top five in fleet since the event began.

Peru’s Alexander Zimmerman, who led the standings during the first two days, say’s its “concentration” that’s kept him at the top.

When it comes to Team Racing, Zimmerman added, “sailing in unison” was the key to the country’s win.

On Wednesday, 16 teams of junior sailors representing the Caribbean islands of the Dominican Republic, Barbados, Puerto Rico, Trinidad & Tobago and Martinique, along with North American countries of the USA, Canada, Mexico, and Bermuda and South American countries of Peru, Brazil, Chile and Argentina waited for wind in the wake of torrential rainstorms. The breeze finally built enough to allow 16 of the 30 team races to be sailed.

"Optimist team racing uses a 'direct elimination with repechage' system familiar in other sports," explains IODA Secretary, Robert Wilkes. "The table looks complicated but is based on the simple principle that after two defeats the team is eliminated. Seeding is on the basis of individual races."

In spite of the less than optimal conditions, Puerto Rican sailors – humbly seeded 13th – disposed of the mighty USA 1 team and then 5th seeds Brazil.

“This was our first time team racing in competition,” said Puerto Rican coach, Jorge Santiago. “I think we did so well because we didn’t commit any errors. I realized that the team has the speed and tactics to team race well. We’ll be practicing this more in the year to come.”

Ponce, Puerto Rico will be the host site for the 2006 Optimist North American Championships.

Strong Wind and Waves - Dean Barnes Photo

Yesterday, clearer skies and stronger winds allowed the remaining 14 races in the Team Racing Championships to be sailed. Team Peru emerged victorious, followed by Bermuda second, Mexico third and Trinidad & Tobago fourth.

Racing concludes tomorrow.

For full results, visit www.optinam2005.com

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