Register now for International Optimist Regatta, Clinic & Team Race

Over 100 junior sailors from several nations participated in the 2018 International Optimist Regatta © Dean Barnes

Registration is open! The International Optimist Regatta (IOR), presented by EMS (Electronic Merchant Systems) Virgin Islands, and the TOTE Maritime Clinic and Team Race, will take place June 10-16, 2019.

More specifically, the Clinic takes place June 10-12, followed by the Team Race, June 13 along with a Parade of Nations and Welcome Party, and IOR, June 14-16.

"The St. Thomas Yacht Club (STYC) and the Virgin Island Sailing Association (VISA) are gearing up for the 2019 IOR, Clinic and Team Race," says clinic and regatta director, Holly Jenkins. "This will be our 27th annual regatta and we are very excited. We wanted to personally invite sailors and their families to travel to our island for a fabulous time racing with excellent wind, clear seas and great competition."

Last year, over 100 junior sailors from five nations competed. This year, organizers expect the same number or more as the Optimist World Championships take place less than three weeks after the IOR on the Caribbean island of Antigua. However, the IOR can only accept a maximum of 125 sailors. Therefore, register early at regattanetwork.com

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 the Beginner Green fleet.

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 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: Deadline to reserve charter boats is May 17, 2019.

For coach boat charters, contact Jenkins:

Traveling to St. Thomas is easy! The following airlines fly direct from major U.S. cities: American (Boston, New York, Miami, San Juan-Puerto Rico), Delta (Atlanta), jetBlue (Boston, connecting through San Juan-Puerto Rico), Spirit (Fort Lauderdale), United (Chicago, Dulles, Newark) and US Airways (Philadelphia, Charlotte). Airlines connecting St. Thomas to the Caribbean include Seaborne Airlines, Cape Air, LIAT and InterCaribbean Airways.

Available accommodations on St. Thomas include hotels, B&B's, resorts, villas, condos, VRBO rentals and Airbnb's. For more information, visit: visitusvi.com and usvihta.com

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