Please select your home edition
Edition
Palm Beach Motor Yachts

32nd International Optimist Regatta, TOTE Clinic & TOTE Team Race kicks-off this week

by Carol Bareuther 9 Jun 09:49 UTC June 9-15, 2025
International Optimist Regatta 2024 © Matias Capizzano

One week, three events! The TOTE Clinic kicks off Monday through Wednesday, the TOTE Team Race is on Thursday, and the 32nd International Optimist Regatta (IOR), hosted by the St. Thomas Yacht Club (STYC), runs from Friday through Sunday.

Now entering its fourth decade, this week-long trio of events has been recognized throughout the Caribbean and the World as attracting top sailors as well as serving as an excellent entry-level platform for juniors new to the sport.

"We look forward to welcoming sailors, their friends, and families to St. Thomas to race in our junior sailing event, known for promoting skill-building and fostering competition and camaraderie. Many sailors who meet at the IOR have remained friends and sailing competitors as adults, as well as to have gone on to become college All-Americans, America's Cup sailors, and Olympians," says Lori Vaughn, IOR co-director with Heather Scholes.

In the 2024 Summer Olympics, 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 the Men's 49er for Team USA.

Ready to set sail

A fleet of nearly 100 8- to 15-year-old sailors representing the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and several U.S. states will compete in an 8-foot long single-sail Optimist dinghy during the week ahead.

St. Thomas' Adalie Blankenhorn will participate in her first TOTE Clinic and IOR in the beginner Green Fleet. She says, "I'm excited for the challenge of racing against more sailors and learning from new coaches."

Some of the best Optimist coaches conduct on-the-water training sessions and instructive on-land debriefs for both Advanced (age-divided Red, White, and Blue Fleets) and beginner (Green Fleet) sailors. This year's coaches include Agustin 'Argy' Resano, U.S. Virgin Islands National Team; Manny Resano, USA National Team Head Coach; Esteban Rocha, Head Coach of the Fort Lauderdale Yacht Club, FL; and Gonzalo Pollitzer, USA National Team and International Coach. These four leading coaches have over 20 years of experience in the Optimist class, serving as coaches and former Optimist sailors.

"The experience of training and sailing with different coaches makes this week unique," says the USVI's Resano, whose two decades of coaching at the STYC has produced an Optimist Worlds runner-up, three North American champions, and another three Women's North American champions. "We have a total of 10 highly qualified coaches this year that sailors can get very valuable input from."

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 be awarded to all Green Fleet sailors. Additional awards include the Peter Ives' Perpetual Trophy (superb sailor/individual), the Chuck Fuller Sportsmanship Perpetual Trophy, and the perpetual Founders Trophy, awarded to the Top Female Sailor. The Awards Ceremony takes place at 3 p.m. on Sunday at the STYC.

Strong sponsor support

The IOR is sponsored by TOTE, the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism, The K3 Company, CC1 Virgin Islands, MSI Building Supplies, the St. Thomas Restaurant Group, and Barefoot Buddha.

This year's event will follow an eco-friendly theme. Each sailor receives a reusable metal water bottle to reduce waste. Sailors are also encouraged to keep all lunch bags and wrapping out of the water, pick up trash on shore, and accept drinks without straws.

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 see the International Optimist Regatta on Facebook and Instagram @internationaloptiregatta

Related Articles

Angola Optimist International Team Racing Regatta
Officially setting sail today in Luanda The Angola Optimist International Team Racing Regatta officially set sail today in Luanda, marking the start of an exciting competition that brings together young sailors from Angola, Portugal, and Mozambique. Posted on 19 Jul
Sail Canada Regional Championships Preview
More than 300 young Canadian sailors in action this weekend across the country More than 300 young Canadian sailors will be in action this weekend as Sail Canada will present its three regional championships: Sail East at St. Margaret Sailing Club, Sail Central at Hudson Yacht Club and Sail West at Gimli Yacht Club. Posted on 16 Jul
KSSA Mid Season Training Camp & Regatta at Downs
Testing conditions and top talent in Kent Downs Sailing Club, nestled on the exposed coastline of Deal, Kent, delivered a weekend of demanding conditions, standout performances, and high-energy racing as it hosted the latest round of the Kent Schools Sailing Association Mid-Summer Regatta. Posted on 14 Jul
Zhik Nordic Youth Sailing Championship preview
This year's regatta will be the largest of its kind ever hosted in Tallinn Tallinna Yacht Club brings one of the biggest sports events of the summer to Haven Kakumäe - 300 young sailors expected at the Zhik Nordic Youth Sailing Championship, plus just as many supporters on shore! Posted on 11 Jul
Mirpuri Foundation Sailing Trophy 2025 overall
A weekend marked by strong winds, demanding seas, and top-level racing in Cascais The 6th edition of the Mirpuri Foundation Sailing Trophy came to a close this Sunday after a weekend marked by strong winds, demanding seas, and top-level racing in Cascais. Posted on 7 Jul
Cambs Youth League at Ely Sailing Club
Breaking from the past few years' precedent, it was a breezy day! On Saturday 5 July, it was Ely's turn to host a round of the Cambs Youth League. The league is a collaboration between 5 local clubs to promote friendly sailing for cadets up to 19. Posted on 7 Jul
Chichester Yacht Club Optimist Open Preview
Registration is open and visitors are very welcome Registration is open for this year's Chichester Yacht Club Optimist Open on Sunday the 13th of July. Visitors are very welcome to come and enjoy the clubs facilities while watching the racing from CYC's lawns. Posted on 3 Jul
Mirpuri Foundation Sailing Trophy 2025 Preview
International sailing & ocean conservation unite in Cascais From July 4 to 6, Cascais hosts the biggest sailing regatta of the year with a strong focus on sustainability. The Mirpuri Foundation Sailing Trophy celebrates six years of diversity, competition, and environmental commitment. Posted on 30 Jun
2025 International Classes Regatta preview
The ICR has earned a stellar reputation as an outstanding lead-up regatta for competitors The Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club (RFBYC) is proud to announce that the 2025 International Classes Regatta (ICR)—the Club's premier annual dinghy event—will take place on Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 November 2025. Posted on 27 Jun
South and Southwest Regional Junior Championship
Exciting, high-quality competitive racing for 5 classes at Weymouth There were 145 sailors competing in Topper 5.3 and 4.2, Optimist, RS Feva XL, RS Tera Pro and Sport and ILCA 4 classes. The excellent race team led by PRO Paul Kimmens delivered exciting, high-quality competitive racing for all classes. Posted on 26 Jun
Maritimo S SeriesPalm Beach Motor Yachts