2013 Optimist North American Championship
Published on July 7th, 2013
USA 2 (Shawn Harvey, Matt Logue, Ryan Hennessey, Louisa Nordstrom and Eduardo Mintzias) won the North American (NA) Team Racing championship defeating U.S. Virgin Island Team 3-2 in the final on Sunday while Singapore (Samuel Neo, Shyn Ee Phua, Jodie Lai, Isaac Tang, Serzen Gurung) defeated Argentina for the Nations Cup trophy (non NA countries). 22 races were completed on the NA course while xx races were sailed on the Nations Cup course. The team racing was staged on two short courses in Hamilton Harbour
Sailors will enjoy a well deserved day off on Monday and fleet racing will continue on the Great Sound on Tuesday, finishing on Wednesday.
Organizers, the Bermuda Optimist Dinghy Association (BODA) and hosts, the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club (RBYC), kicked off the 39th running of the event with a parade of sail prior to the practice race. Teams sailed past the RBYC Commodore, the Deputy Governor, the US Consul General, the Minister for Tourism, and other local dignitaries on the corner of the RBYC marina.
Later that evening the sailors paraded the streets of Hamilton from Albouy’s Point to Queen Elizabeth Park, led by the Bermuda Sea Cadets and the Bermuda Regiment Band. Local officials the Governor, His Excellency the Hon. George Ferguson, and other local dignitaries welcomed the competitors and wished them “smooth sailing”. Optinam, as it is commonly called, was declared officially “open” by Quino Nigaglioni, IODA Vice President from Puerto Rico and the large crowd was entertained by Bermuda’s famous Gombey dancers.
Principal sponsors for the event are the Bermuda Department of Tourism, the Bank of Bermuda Foundation, Tokio Millenium Re. Host sponsors for the event are the Fairmont Hamilton Princess and the City of Hamilton.
Event photos at www.optiphoto.com
Full results at http://amneweb.com/Results060713-v3.htm
Website: www.optinam2013.org
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/OptinamBermuda2013