Bermuda ready for invasion of young sailors

Bermuda is busy preparing for the invasion of the region's best young sailors.

The island will host the 2013 IODA Optimist North American Championship from July 4-10.

The Optinam, as it’s commonly referred to, will see Bermuda send out its best 20 sailors under 16 years of age to take on competitors from countries such as New Zealand, USA, Brazil and Japan.

Among those who have qualified from trials to represent the host nation are Chase Cooper, Ceci Wollmann, Mikey Wollmann, Campbell Patton, George Buckley and Benn Smith.

It's a prestigious event and one Bermuda has a history of success in, with Jesse Kirkland, Sean Bouchard and Elijah Simmons claiming overall first place in 2002, 2003 and 2004 respectively.

The Bermuda Optimist Dinghy Association today set out the schedule 48 hours before the first of 180 Optimist dinghies will be unloaded from shipping containers and spread out over Barr’s Bay Park.

Many of the sailors will embark on training on the Great Sound, where the races will take place.

Anthony Bailey, president of BODA, said: “As you can imagine, a world class Continental Championship takes an unusual amount of volunteer effort and coordination.

“Our host club, the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club has opened its doors to the event and along with the BODA membership, has supplied the expertise, manpower and equipment needed to execute the on-the-water needs of what we believe is the largest one-design regatta in Bermuda’s history.

“The entire Bermuda yachting fraternity has embraced this event and has come together from all parts of the island to help us with all aspects of the regatta from start to finish.

“Of course, an event of this magnitude requires an equally large budget. This regatta would not have been possible without the generous sponsorship and gifts–in-kind from the corporate and public sectors of Bermuda.

“I would like to thank the Department of Tourism, Department of Youth and Sport, Bank of Bermuda Foundation, Corporation of Hamilton, Fairmont Hamilton Princess, Tokio Millennium Re, ACE, XL, Colonial, Butterfield and Vallis, Quo Vadis, Jardines, Dasani Water, BCM McAlpine, Buzz, The Royal Bermuda Yacht Club, Bermuda Container Line, Cellone, Bermuda Forwarders and Markel. A number of private individuals have also generously donated time and financial support. Many thanks to all of you.”

The July 4th at 6.30pm opening ceremony will see a parade of nations from the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club to the southern end of Par La Ville Park, where the actual ceremony will take place.