Early Registration Opens for International Optimist Regatta Set for June 13-19

<p><img width=”200″ vspace=”5″ hspace=”8″ height=”134″ align=”left” title=”In  2015, Optimists launched from the beach in front of the host St. Thomas Yacht Club. International Optimist Regatta 2015 (Credit — Dean Barnes)” alt=”In  2015, Optimists launched from the beach in front of the host St. Thomas Yacht Club. International Optimist Regatta 2015 (Credit — Dean Barnes)” src=”/files/userfiles/image/Optimist%20Regatta%202015.jpg” />Exceptional coaching, competition and camaraderie are the qualities that make the International Optimist Regatta (IOR) and the TOTE Maritime Clinic and Team Race a must-do event for Optimist sailors and their families. This trio of events, which attracts 8-to 15-year-old junior sailors, will be hosted out of the St. Thomas Yacht Club from June 13 to 19. Those who register by April 15 will get a nearly 20 percent discount on the cost of registration.</p>
<p>&ldquo;We are expecting another fantastic year,&rdquo; said Ann Nicolosi, regatta director. &ldquo;Last year we had 84 sailors from seven countries. This year&rsquo;s event will be a great warm-up for the Optimist North American Championships, which will be held in Antigua from July 10 to 18. In addition to our strong competitors from the U.S. Virgin Islands, we expect to have competitive sailors representing the British Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Antigua, USA and from around the world.&rdquo;</p>
<p>Register now at www.regattanetwork.com.</p>
<p>Nearly 100 junior sailors are expected to attend this regatta, which is hosted by the Virgin Island Sailing Association and sanctioned by the Caribbean Sailing Association.</p>
<p><img width=”200″ vspace=”5″ hspace=”8″ height=”134″ align=”right” title=”Junior sailors from throughout the Caribbean and the world, like Danny Dillon of St. Lucia, competed in the 2015 IOR. International Optimist Regatta 2015 (Credit — Dean Barnes)” alt=”Junior sailors from throughout the Caribbean and the world, like Danny Dillon of St. Lucia, competed in the 2015 IOR. International Optimist Regatta 2015 (Credit — Dean Barnes)” src=”/files/userfiles/image/Regatta%20boy.jpg” />The TOTE Maritime Clinic is set for June 13-15. Some of the best Optimist coaches in the world conduct on-the-water training sessions that give instruction on-land debriefs for both advanced (red, white and blue fleets) and beginner (green fleet) sailors. The clinic cost is $300 for non-U.S. Virgin Islands registrants and $275 for U.S. Virgin Islands residents. This payment includes breakfast and lunch for the three days. Clinic registration will close on May 15.</p>
<p>The entry fee for the TOTE Maritime Team Race is $160 per team of four sailors. Registration is available only on-site from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on June 15. The team race competition will take place on June 16.</p>
<p>TOTE Maritime is an ocean freight carrier headquartered in Jacksonville, Fla., that serves the areas of Jacksonville, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.</p>
<p><img width=”200″ vspace=”5″ hspace=”8″ height=”134″ align=”left” title=”International Optimist Regatta 2015 (Credit — Dean Barnes)” alt=”International Optimist Regatta 2015 (Credit — Dean Barnes)” src=”/files/userfiles/image/Regatta%20Optimist.jpg” />International Optimist Regatta is presented by Electronic Merchant Systems (EMS). &ldquo;We at EMS are proud to sponsor the International Optimist Regatta,&rdquo; said Cobia Fagan, the owner of EMS Virgin Islands. &ldquo;With our support, EMS hopes to enable the St. Thomas Yacht Club junior sailing program to continue the rich history of excellence. We understand that our commitment will only further give the youths of our territory the ability to excel in this sport.&rdquo;</p>
<p>The entry fee for the IOR, presented by EMS, is $185 on or before April 15. The fee increases to $225 between April 16 and May 15, and to $250 from May 16 to June 16. This entry fee includes an event T-shirt, registration &lsquo;goodie&rsquo; bag, and all meals from Thursday dinner through Sunday&rsquo;s Brunch. The IOR will set sail June 17 to June 19.</p>
<p>Trophies will be awarded to the top five sailors in each fleet and the top three overall. Additional trophies include the Peter Ives Perpetual Trophy, the Chuck Fuller Sportsmanship Award and the Top Female Sailor.</p>
<p>For charter boats, request and confirm online at www.optistuff.com. Or contact Alisa Forester, McLaughlin Boat Works, at 1 (423) 875-4040 or 1 (423) 362-4508, or e-mail: alisa@Optistuff.com the deadline to reserve charter boats is May 31.</p>
<p>For accommodations, call the Elysian (800-775-1000 ext. 568) or VP Rentals (800-788-4847). Rent condos or villas thorough Sea Glass Properties (340-774-5277), John Foster Real Estate (340-775-9500) or Curreri &amp; Co. (340-776-9292).</p>
<p>For more information, call (340) 775-6320; fax: (340) 775-3600, or email: internationaloptiregatta@gmail.com. For the Notice of Regatta, registration forms, information on hotel discounts or other information, visit the St. Thomas Yacht Club Web site at www.styc.club or www.regattanetwork.com</p>