Ivan Shestopalov tops U.S. Optimist Team Trials

Two hundred twelve sailors competed in the 2014 KO Sailing/USODA Team Trials regatta held at Stamford Yacht Club, May 1-4, 2014. The event is used as the U.S. qualifier for continental and world championship events.

Winning the prestigious USA Opti Team Trials trophy for the second time was 14 year old Ivan Shestopalov, representing Coral Reef YC in Miami, FL. This was Ivan’s sixth Team Trials, winning in 2012 and second in 2013.

Sailors experienced light, moderate and big breezes and strong currents over the three days of sailing. Nine races were completed. The first day was lost to unusually high storm run-off which closed local beaches and kept sailors ashore.

The top five Team Trials’ finishers are invited to the IODA Worlds and the IODA North Americans. The next four are invited to the IODA Europeans. Also, the event qualifies sailors for the IODA North Americans, British Nationals, and Topsport in Flanders. Qualification is also earned for the US National Team and US Development Team.

Top 10 finishers:
1. Ivan Shestopalov
2. Luke Amone
3. Thomas Hall
4. Emma Kaneti
5. Ricky Welch
6. Luke Ingalls
7. Payton Thomas
8. Matt Logue
9. Ian Moran
10. Emma Cowles

Complete results