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

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