Team Racing begins at Optimist Worlds

Pattaya, Thailand (July 16, 2017) – After three days of individual world championship racing in the Optimist World Championship 2017, competition began today for the highly coveted IODA Challenge team racing trophy.

The two day event sees 48 teams facing off against each other in special selections. Each team races at least two times. Those who lose twice are eliminated. Sixteen go forward into the next series of flights tomorrow, which will eventually see two teams left in the regatta who will race against each other three times, the trophy going to winner of the ‘sail off’.

Among the 16 finalists are last year’s team racing champions, the USA; five time trophy holders Singapore; and two time winners Thailand. Other Asians in the top 16 include China, Korea, Hong Kong, and Malaysia. The Europeans claimed seven spots with wins by France, Great Britain, Greece, Italy, Sweden, Turkey, and a runner up slot awarded to Ireland. South America’s Peru and Brazil also move into the final flights.

Results: Grid A – Grid B

Event details – Entry list – Facebook

Source: Optimist Worlds 2017