St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. Mark your calendar now! The Caribbean’s largest and longest international regatta held exclusively for Optimist dinghy sailors and their families will take place in 2018 despite two Category 5 hurricanes in September. In fact, junior sailing resumed off the beautiful beach at the host St. Thomas Yacht Club within a month after the storms! 

“On behalf of the Virgin Islands Sailing Association (VISA) and the St. Thomas Yacht Club (STYC), the 26th International Optimist Regatta, presented by EMS (Electronic Merchant Systems) Virgin Islands and TOTE Maritime Clinic and Team Race will take place June 11 to 17, 2018,” announces regatta director, Holly Jenkins. 

More specifically, the Clinic takes place June 11-13, followed by the Team Race, June 14, and International Optimist Regatta, June 15-17. 

Registration opens January 15, 2018, at www.regattanetwork.com 

Over 100 junior sailors, including some of the best sailors in the sport, are expected to participate in this Caribbean Sailing Association-sanctioned regatta. Sailors can compete in Advanced Red (ages 13-15), Blue (ages 11-12) and White (ages 10 and under) as well as Beginner Green classes. 

Trophies will be awarded to the top five finishers in the Red, Blue and White classes and top three overall as well as 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) and the Chuck Fuller Sportsmanship Perpetual Trophy. 

The IOR is sponsored by EMS Virgin Islands, the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism, TOTE Maritime and K3 Waterproof Gear. 

For charter boats, request and confirm online at www.optistuff.com. Or, contact McLaughlin Boat Works, 1 (423) 875-0740, 1 (423) 875-4040 or Toll Free in the U.S. 1 (800) 784-6478; Email: [email protected] Deadline to reserve charter boats is May 18, 2018. 

Assistance with locating housing for the event is available. 

For more information, call (340) 513-2234, Email: [email protected]. Or, for the Notice of Regatta, Registration Form and other information, visit the St. Thomas Yacht Club web site at www.styc.club or www.regattanetwork.com