St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands. Register now! The International Optimist Regatta (IOR), presented by Glacial Energy celebrates its 21^st edition, marking over two decades of fostering junior sailing in the Caribbean. Dates for the regatta and kick-off Sea Star Clinic and Sea Star Team Race are June 17^th to 23^rd, 2013.

Recognized as one of the first and largest regattas in the Caribbean to promote youth sailing, the 2013 IOR welcomes participants this year from around the world.

“We are looking forward to a strong representation of sailors this year,” says regatta director, Margo Lynch. “To date, sailors already registered represent Puerto Rico, the British Virgin Islands, Bermuda, Bahamas, Grand Cayman, St. Maarten/St. Martin, Curacao, Mexico and of course all three U.S. Virgin Islands as well as a large number of U.S. sailors, including those from California.”

Nearly 100 8- to 15-year-old junior sailors are expected to attend this St. Thomas Yacht Club- and Virgin Island Sailing Association (VISA)-hosted and Caribbean Sailing Association-sanctioned regatta.

“Glacial Energy is proud to sponsor this year’s International Optimist Regatta, says Joel Finley, president of sales. “Through this event and the other amazing events put on by the St. Thomas Yacht Club and VISA, our young people are given the opportunity to race in world class conditions with competitors from all over the globe.”  Michael Giery, general counsel adds; “This event not only prepares young sailors to face amazing competitors, but also gives them the understanding of good sportsmanship and healthy competition. The St. Thomas Yacht Club and VISA continue to produce world class sailors, amazing the international sailing world year after year and Glacial Energy is proud to be a part of the adventure.”

The Sea Star Clinic begins Monday, June 17^th and runs through Wednesday, June 19^th. Top international coaches from Optisailors.com, the U.S. National Team, St. Thomas Yacht Club and Virgin Islands Optimist Dinghy Association such as Pilo Rocha, Justine O’Connor, Agustin ‘Argy’ Resano and Santiago Galan, will teach the sailors registered for the clinic.

“The clinic focuses on starts, strategy and tactics,” Resano explains. “It's chiefly focused for sailors that are not use to sailing in big fleets. Most Caribbean countries don't have more than 30 boats on a starting line. For the sailors that do have big fleet experience, the clinic provides a great tune up in which they will get a better knowledge of the racing area and the sailing conditions. It's very hard to just show up to these waters the day before the regatta and perform well. Sailors have to get use to sail in big waves.”

Cost of the clinic is $300 for non-U.S. Virgin Islands’ registrants and $275 for U.S. Virgin Islands’ residents, and includes breakfast and lunch for the three days. Clinic registration closes on May 15^th.

The Sea Star Team Racing event is scheduled for June 20^th.

“We are expecting 16 competitive teams, each with 4 to 5 sailors,” says Resano. “Last year, we had Team FOR from the U.S. arrive early for a team racing camp. They enjoyed it so much that they will hold their annual team racing camp this year on St. Thomas too.”

Entry fee for the team racing is $160 per team of 4 sailors. Registration closes at 5 p.m. on June 19^th.

“Sea Star Lines is proud to announce its 6^th consecutive year in St. Thomas hosting its annual Youth Clinic and Team Race,” says Frank Urban,Caribbean & business development sales manager. “I have been very fortunate to be a part of the outstanding leadership and vision of the Sea Star Team over the past few years and I hope to share these life lessons with the youths of St. Thomas. We all believe at Sea Star that children are our future and we must give back whenever possible. We hope that through our continued sponsorship we can help them to build a sense of self-confidence, purpose and discipline in a fun and safe environment.”

The three-day International Optimist Regatta presented by Glacial Energy kicks off Friday June 21st.

The regatta entry fee is $225 by May 15^th and $250 after May 15^th. Those that register prior to May 15^th will have their names entered into a special drawing to win top-notch prizes. Final registration takes place June 20^th. The entry fee includes an event T-shirt, registration ‘goodie’ bag, and all meals from Thursday June 20^th Welcome Party through Sunday’s Brunch.

Shore side activities include an opening Parade of Nations, a Welcome Party and Caribbean-themed night that includes fire dancers. The fun culminates with a beachside brunch and Awards Ceremony on June 23^rd.

Trophies will be awarded to the top five sailors in each fleet and top three overall. Additional trophies include the Peter Ives’ Perpetual Trophy, the Chuck Fuller Sportsmanship Award and the top female sailor. The Sea Star Perpetual Trophy will be inscribed with the names of the sailors on the winning team racing team.

This year’s event will follow an eco-friendly theme. Sailors will be urged to recycle all plastic water bottles, use the reusable water bottle in the goodie bag throughout the regatta, keep all lunch bags and wrapping out of the water and pick up any trash on shore and accept drinks without straws.

For more information, call 340-775-6320; fax: 340-775-3600, or Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Or, for the Notice of Regatta, Registration Forms, information on hotel discounts and other information, visit the St. Thomas Yacht Club web site at www.styc.net

Our Opti program at STYC allows for multi levels of training and competition. We try and cater our programs to the desired level for each child and provide the most opportunity we can. After the opti training is completed at STYC some of you may ask - "What's next for my young sailor?".

Now that your son or daughter have either out grown or aged out of the Optimist they will begin a new chapter of sailing in high school and college. There are currently over 700 high school programs and 200 colleges that compete in sailing. After the Optimist, which requires a great deal of parent involvement, kids begin to choose their own sailing path. Some will remain competitive, while others will get involved in different activities. Those that bow out should be encouraged to sail for fun and stay involved with the water as they have become competent in a life time skill and they may return to the sport one day.

Young adults that choose sailing as a sport will go to the Laser or Laser Radial if they enjoy single handing or a two person boat (typically 420) where one skippers and one crews but it is definitely a team. The laser requires great strength and athleticism where the two person boats tend to stress more strategy and teamwork. Both types of  boats are supported in high school and college sailing. Sailing will also become more diverse as up to this point your young sailors have mostly fleet raced but now they will get involved in team racing and match racing adding quite a bit of variety to the sport.

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