2018 Optimist Nationals

2018

Optimist Nationals Pensacola Yacht Club · Pensacola, FL USA OPtimist National Championship July 15–18

OPtimist girls National Championship July 19

OPtimist team race National Championship July 20–22

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welcome Dear Participants and Families, On behalf of the City of Pensacola, I would like to welcome you to the Upside of Florida. With Pensacola’s strong maritime history, I could not think of a better place to hold an event for talented youth sailors. Since 1910, the Pensacola Yacht Club has had a rich tradition of giving back and continues to contribute to our community. One of the Yacht Club’s greatest contributiions is teaching our young citizens the sport of sailing. I am more than pleased to hear that we expect this year’s event will be the largest Optimist National Championship and the largest sailing event in the history of our city.

As Mayor, it is great to see events like this regatta here in Pensacola Bay. I would like to say thank you to the race committes and volunteers in our community that make this event possible.

I hope the competitors, coaches, friends and families enjoy their time in Pensacola and take advantage of everything our great city has to offer—the pristine beaches, the Naval Aviation Museum and historic downtown Pensacola!

James J. Reeves— Commodore, Pensacola Yacht Club The Pensacola Yacht Club welcomes all Opti sailors to the 2018 Optimist National Championship. The “South’s Finest Yacht Club” offers the great waters of Pensacola Bay for a fantastic regatta.

The water is warm, the wind blows every day and the 22 acres of clubhouse, pool, beachfront and our new and expanded marina offer the finest setting for Opti racing anywhere.

The Pensacola Yacht Club Flag Officers, members and staff, together with our Race Committee, volunteers and civic leaders strive to give great racing, as well as the hospitality of this historic city, to all our guests and racers.

The many volunteers that make this event possible will strive to make this the best regatta experience you can have.

Enjoy the practice, racing and the many activities and adventures that Pensacola and all of Escambia County offer.

Let me or anyone on the Regatta Team know if we can provide any assistance.

James J. Reeves Commodore, Pensacola Yacht Club

Sincerely, Ashton J. Hayward Mayor

Dear Optimist Sailors, Parents, Families and Friends, As the Chairman of the Escambia County Board of County Commissioners, I welcome all the participants, parents, coaches and sailing fans of the 2018 Optimist National Championship regattas to Escambia County, Florida. I hope you enjoy your visit and all that our community has to offer.

On behalf of the citizens of Escambia County, let me be the first to extend to you the warm southern hospitality of our beautiful, historical, and vibrant community. We know you all worked hard to compete at this level, and we wish you good luck, great winds and favorable seas during your competition.

Escambia County has something for everyone. The waters of Pensacola Bay are just the beginning. Don’t miss the opportunity to visit our four historical forts protecting Pensacola Bay, the vibrant and family-friendly downtown Pensacola, The Naval Aviation Museum aboard Naval Air Station Pensacola, the pristine “old Florida” of Big Lagoon State Part, the National Seashore, and Perdido Key. I am confident you will agree that Escambia County is certainly a special place to live, work and visit.

Again, welcome to Escambia County the “Western Gate to the Sunshine State.” We hope you enjoy your stay and invite you to come back soon.

“We all want this to be the best Optimist Nationals ever,” says Tom Pace Jr, our 2018 Optimist Nationals Regatta Chairman. “All of our organizing committee wish these young sailors fair sailing and great fun at Pensacola Yacht Club. And we hope when they move into other competitive classes that these young Opti sailors will come back to Pensacola in the future to race on Pensacola Bay, again and again.”

Tom Pace Jr. has been on and around the water all of his life. He has a passion for sailing, fishing, and paddling. After a 17-year professional windsurfing career, Tom raced Corsair Trimarans for several seasons before shifting interest to racing standup paddleboards internationally.

Through worldwide competitions as well a numerous events across the USA, Tom has honed an endless passion for racerelated water sports, and is eager to share that enthusiasm with all attending the 2018 Optimist Nationals.

Tom Pace, Jr. Chairman, 2018 Optimist Nationals

Sincerely, Jeff Bergosh District 1 Commissioner and Chairman Escambia County Board of County Commissioners

Designed and Produced by Ballinger Publishing Edited by Talbot Wilson USODA2018optiNATIONALS.COM 3

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MEET YOUR PROS

Each Principal Race Officer (PRO) for the Optimist National Championships manages all aspects of the on-the-water racing and any other on-the-water activities for their event.

The PRO conducts fair and competitive races in accordance to USODA guidelines. Prior to the event, the PRO, the Event Chairperson and Chief Judge/Umpire present the Notice of Race and Sailing Instructions to the Opti Class Representative and the USODA Regatta Committee Chair for review. Each PRO in consultation with USODA creates and posts any amendments to the Sailing Instructions throughout their event.

Hal Smith

PRO Optimist National Championship and Optimist Girls National Championship “I am always honored when asked to be a part of a regatta and especially when it is as significant as the Optimist Nationals.” Hal Smith, Your Optimist National Championship and Girls National Championship PRO says, “It always means a lot to me when the race committee members put forth the extra effort to set great courses quickly and efficiently execute the starts. Competitors come to race, not to day-sail while the RC contemplates the universe. I want to provide that positive experience for all of the competitors on our courses.”

Hal is someone you may have seen at various events around the sport for over 40 years. Within 10 years of starting his sailing career in 1974, He began volunteering to help run races even as he remained an active competitor. By the mid 1990’s, Hal was what was then known as a Senior Race Officer. Immediately after the new US Sailing certification program began in 2000, he became a certified National Race Officer.

Hal ran the 2017 Optimist Atlantic Coast Championship at Camp Sea Gull in Arapahoe, NC. “We had over 100 boats in the Blue, Red and White fleets in one start. Lots of fun.” The course used in 2017 was identical to the course that will be used during the 2018 Nationals. Hal has been the PRO for other Opti regional level events and for multiple Junior Olympics featuring Optis.

This year at Sperry Charleston Race Week Smith once again served as the PRO on Circle 3 with M24, J88 and

ORC-C fleets. Circle 3 routinely has over 60 boats each year. It’s just one of many regattas that he’s managed all around the Southeast.

“Not only do I enjoy one-design events,” explains Smith, “but I also enjoy handicap events especially when they have significance. I’ve been PRO at the Hospice Cup on Lake Hartwell (and others), Leukemia Cup in Charleston, SC, and the Conch Republic Cup racing from Key West to Cuba.”

Hal seems to relish the challenge of running races with lots of boats such as a Sunfish Worlds at Camp Seagull in North Carolina and the 2017 Viper North Americans in Fort Walton, FL. Smith not only officiates regattas, but also enters his boat in a race or two on occasion. “In 1974, my wife Sally and I bought a Catalina 22 because we knew we wanted to sail. At the time, I had no idea that you’d race something as slow as a sailboat,” Smith says. “A year later, we were traveling all over the country to race.

We actually won the C-22 Nationals a few years later.”

Having evolved through many boats in the interim, Hal and Sally enjoy cruising in their Catalina 36. And, Hal still races his Sunfish with Sally as loyal shore crew.

Unquestionably, Sally is a huge reason for Hal’s success running races. She enjoys participating and is always Hal’s chief recorder. While Hal surveys the weather for setting the best course, Sally is coordinating all of the functions of the Signal Vessel and is an informal DRO. No time is wasted allowing for on time starts and efficient management.

J. Dwight LeBlanc, III

PRO Optimist Team Race National Championship Dwight LeBlanc is a former Commodore of Southern Yacht Club and from 2011 through 2014, was Chairman of SYC’s Team Racing Program. Dwight is an avid team racer himself having participated in keelboat team racing events throughout the United States. He has served as Regatta Chair and/or PRO for multiple team racing events including, U.S. Sailing’s Hinman

Championship, the Southern Nichols Cup and Southern Soiland Cup. Dwight has also served as PRO for the USODA Midwinter Championship on multiple occasions. He was PRO for the team racing for the 2015 USODA Optimist Team Race Nationals in Pensacola. Dwight has also umpired multiple team racing events including, USODA team racing events.

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MEET YOUR PROS John Alden Meade

PRO Optimist Team Race National Championship From Optimist White Fleet National Champion in 1986 to Collegiate Team Racing National Champion in 1997 (Stanford University), John Alden Meade was a decent sailor back in his day. He coached the US Opti team at the European Opti Team Cup in Berlin in 1998 and the South American Championship in Buenos Aires, Argentina in 1999.

His father John was president of USODA in the late 80s, and John Alden has recently begun volunteering more time to youth events, in anticipation of his own

children coming up through the sport (young Jack Meade is presently four years old, twins Allison and Rogan are one and a half ).

John Alden was an umpire at the 2014 Midwinters at his home yacht club, Southern and He was PRO for the team racing for the 2015 USODA Optimist Team Race Nationals in Pensacola. He is looking forward to running the Team Race Nationals in Pensacola this July. He continues to be an active team racer in local, national, and international events, and has a great deal of experience running races for the same.

Bert Rice Jr. PRO Green Fleet

Bert Rice comes ‘home’ to Pensacola as the 2018 Green Fleet PRO. Bert is no newcomer to youth sailing having served as Pensacola Yacht Club’s Summer Sailing Director for four years before moving to Montgomery, Alabama last year.

Bert believes that building the Green Fleet and making sailing fun for children is essential to developing the sport for the future.

“Sailing gets young people off their devices,” Rice says, “They are out in nature to experience its beauty, its challenges on their own. Sailing offers them a chance to achieve and persevere without everything being handed to them or done for them.”

As a youth sailor, he campaigned for the Olympics in

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windsurfing and placed second in the Olympic Trials in 1988. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1993 and earned Wings of Gold as a Naval Flight Officer in 1994.

During his career, he tracked submarines; chased drug runners; drove USS ENTERPRISE (CVN-65) during First Response to 9/11; supported Special Forces for eight deployments and 140 missions in Iraq and Afghanistan; served as a Fleet staff officer; led teams in dozens of fast changing, complex environments; and taught leadership to newly commissioned officers for five years at Naval Air Station Pensacola.

Since retiring in 2013, he has been teaching Math at the high school level.

He has been married over 23 years to Millie and they have three children, Michael, Pepper, and Abi.

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USODA Q&A Reprinted from www.usoda.org

Why the Optimist Dinghy?

• Optimists are designed for kids.

• Single-handed is best. They didn’t learn to ride a bike on a tandem.

• Over 150,000 kids in over 110 countries cannot be wrong.

• The Optimist is not only the biggest dinghy class in the world, it is the fastest growing dinghy class, too.

• Former Optimist sailors were over 85% of medal winners at the last Olympics.

• Builders on five continents provide ample opportunities for travel sailing.

• Your local sailing club has them - and if it doesn’t, it will.

• The only dinghy recognized by the World Sailing* exclusively for under 16 sailors. (*the world organizing body for sailing)

What fleet is my sailor in and how are the ages for Red, Blue and White fleets defined?

To make Optimist racing in the United States as fair as possible, the Class puts each skipper into an age group, called a fleet. Trophies are typically awarded to the top skippers in each age group, or fleet.

White fleet is for skippers who are 10 and under. Blue fleet is for skippers who are 11 or 12. Red fleet is for skippers who are 13, 14, or 15. In all fleets, the determining date is the skipper’s age on the first scheduled day of racing for the regatta and not the skipper’s age at the end of the current year. Skippers move up to blue fleet on their 11th birthday and red fleet on their 13th birthday. At most regattas, the red, blue, and white fleets all start at the same time and race on the same course.

What is “Aging Out”?

A skipper can only race Optimists until December 31 of the year in which they turn 15. On December 31st of that year, they “age out” of Optimist and can no longer race in the Optimist Class.

What are Team Trials?

The team trials selection regatta qualifies sailors for both Optimist international championships and also for the US National Team.

Who can attend Team Trials? What are the QUALIFYING Regattas?

Team Trials is an Invitation-Only regatta. Sailors have to qualify by participating in one or more of the USODA National or Regional regattas. To qualify, sailors must finish in the top 50% of all registered participants at the Optimist 4-day National Championship, or in the top 25% of all registered participants at a USODA Regional event, as defined by the USODA. The calculation of the 25% and 50% includes all TTE sailors regardless of any previous qualifications. Once sailors are qualified for Team Trials, their membership record will be updated on usoda.org to indicate their TTQ status.

What is TEAM TRIALS ELIGIBLE?

Green fleet is a special fleet for beginners. Green fleeters can be any age up to 15. A green fleet might have skippers who are as young as 6 and as old as 15, but sooner or later they’ll move into their age-appropriate fleet. A ten year old green fleeter would move into white fleet, a thirteen year old green fleeter would move into red fleet, etc.

The purpose of the green fleet is to encourage novice sailors. To discourage sailors from staying in green fleet, in order to win races and receive awards, USODA’s policy is to present “Participation Awards” to all skippers sailing in the green fleet. By not crowning a champion, sailors and their parents, are encouraged to move to the appropriate age fleet as they become more confident of their abilities.

To be Team Trial Eligible (TTE) both for any USODA Championship and the Team Trials itself, the competitor must, (a) not turn sixteen in that calendar year, (b) be a member of the USODA, (c) be either a US citizen or a bona fide resident of the US as determined in the sole and unreviewable discretion of the USODA at the time of participation in the USODA championship, and (d) not competed in another organization’s or country’s process to select a team to participate in an IODA championship within twelve months prior to the start of the USODA championship unless the competitor has reestablished permanent residence in the United States between the end of the other organization’s or country’s process and the start of the USODA championship.

A sailor who has represented a country or organization other than the US at an IODA World or Continental Championship is TTE only if the sailor has altered his or her residence to the US and receives approval from the IODA Executive to compete for the US. (See Sec. 3.2 of IODA Handbook). Such a sailor shall be deemed TTE for purposes of competing in USODA Championships to secure an invitation to sail in the USODA Team Trials but the sailor shall not be permitted to register for the Team Trials itself without having first received the approval from the IODA Executive.

How long can a sailor stay in the Green Fleet?

How are invitations to Trials actually received?

What about this Green Fleet?

A sailor can stay in the Green Fleet as long as they desire. Green Fleet is for sailors who do not wish to enter into large, competitive regattas. The USODA provides Green Fleet “participation awards” and not placement trophies. This discourages ‘trophy hunting’ and allows the sailor who wants to be on the water, but not in a serious race, to enjoy sailing with her/his friends and without competitive pressures.

You will not receive an invitation. Instead, the TTQ status indicated on your membership record at usoda.org qualifies you to register for the Team Trials regatta.

Join USODA and login to usoda.org for more information.

USODA2018optiNATIONALS.COM 9

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Three Optimist National Titles up for Grabs

By Talbot Wilson

The 2018 Optimist Nationals Week at Pensacola Yacht Club will be a memory you’ll cherish. For those of you who haven’t been to Pensacola Yacht Club, it is the South’s Finest. And Pensacola is certainly our part of paradise.

the world to see.

Young Opti sailors from all across the USA, North America and some corners of the world convene July 13-22 to race on Pensacola Bay and visit Pensacola. The visit will be with a great purpose, to take the challenge of grand prix level, youth only sailing in the 2018 Optimist Nationals. Under the umbrella of the USODA, Pensacola Yacht Club hosts these three fantastic events for the second time since 2015— The 2018 Optimist Team Race National Championship July 20-22, The 2018 Optimist Girls National Championship on July 19 and the overall 4-day 2018 Optimist National Championship racing July 15-18.

To quote our former mayor For the beginners and less Vince Whibbs— “Pensacola confident sailors in the Green is where thousands live like Fleet, their PRO Bert Rice, Jr. millions wish they could.” The has mixed up a gumbo pot Optimist National Championship full of activities, coaching and Week is this part of Florida’s racing planned during the week to shine boldly for all Opti four-day Optimist National sailors in America and around Championship.

Young Pensacola sailor Gil Hackel loves sailing on Pensacola Bay. “Pensacola is a great place to sail,” he said. “Most of the time the weather is good. It is a smaller bay so you don’t get the chop like bigger bays do. I started

Tom Pace. Together they promise another unforgettable experience. Pensacola will deliver warm water for comfortable sailing, warm hospitality to make you welcome, lots of cool fun and a tightly run regatta for the best competition possible.

Commodore Jim Reeves anticipates a big turnout.

“When we started planning this championship, the committee was talking about 400 skippers.

That is our goal. This is the largest sailing event ever held in Pensacola and one of the largest ever in Florida.”

“We have a great 22 acre facility with a long white sand beach to launch from, and a great swimming pool overlooking the bay. We can handle all comers.

We’ll have a lot of excellent racing and a lot of fun. July is a fine month for sailing on the bay with nice breezes and warm water. We’d like for this to be the one of many more national championships in the future for Pensacola Yacht Club.”

All of the people of Florida’s first city and all of Northwest Florida thank you for coming to Pensacola for the fun and the challenge of racing on Pensacola Bay. Please make it a

“When we started planning this championship, the committee was talking about 400 skippers. That is our goal. This is the largest sailing event ever held in Pensacola and one of the largest ever in Florida.” sailing Optis in Green Fleet at the 2015 Nationals. Now I’m racing in international regattas.

Optimist Racing is where it all starts.”

The Race Committee, judges and umpires, Pensacola Yacht Club staff and member volunteers and the whole community—all promise a spectacular regatta. Essentially the same regatta team that hosted the 2015 USODA National Championships at PYC is back led by a new chairman,

family vacation. Enjoy the best beaches in America at the Gulf Islands National Seashore on Santa Rosa Island and Perdido Key. Discover the rich history of Florida and the nation’s oldest European settlement founded in 1559. Savor the freshest of seafood southern style and enjoy entertainment for the whole family. Once you get our sand in your shoes, you can’t shake it out.

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Understanding Optimist Fleet Racing This Optimist National Championship regatta in Pensacola is actually comprised of four events. Two fleet racing events are the Optimist National Championship and the Optimist Girls National Championship. The newer and younger sailors sail in the Green Fleet, an experience that’s a learning, practicing regatta with courses set close to shore near the PYC beach. The Green Fleet sails only during the four-day Optimist National Championship.

The last three days are devoted to the fourth event… the Optimist Team Race Championship. In that championship as many as two-dozen four or five person teams, sailing four against four, compete in a round-robin format, one team against another. This type of racing is described elsewhere in the magazine.

Now, back to fleet racing… the Optimist National Championship is open for everyone to race. The red, blue and white (RBW) fleets, distinguished by age, sail the championship “inside finish” Opti Trap course. This course, though not quite trapezoidal, features an upwind leg to Mark 1, a left hand turn to a beam reach to Mark 2, another left hand turn downwind to run to the leeward gate Mark 3 (actually a pair of marks that the sailor goes through and out on either side or the source), followed by a shorter upwind leg to the finish line.

After finishing, competitors sail back to the starting area following the corridor established to keep boats which have finished clear of the racing area. The ‘target time’ for these races is 40 to 45 minutes, depending on conditions and confer with their coaches,.

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With a possible overall fleet of about 350-400 sailors competing for the championship, they all cannot start at once, so the group is divided into divisions. Division assignments are not based on age but on performance in other major regattas, like the Optimist Team Trials. The goal is to disperse the top sailors across the different divisions so that everyone has a chance to advance to the Gold Fleet finals.

factors. For the finals, the fleet is split into one Gold and one or more Silver divisions. Only those who qualify for the Gold Fleet can win the National Championship. Scores from qualifying rounds carry forward into the finals; so every race is important.

Usually about 100 girls compete in the Optimist Girls National Championship, which means they all can sail together starting on one starting line for These assignments are rearranged each the three to five races scheduled. day of the qualifying races to ensure Depending on the number of races balance. There are a minimum number completed, there may be a throw-out, of qualifying races and all divisions a race that can be discarded before have to complete the same number of tallying the final score. The standard races, so the wind and weather are big low-point scoring system is utilized,

so the lowest point total of all races scored wins! Prize giving happens that evening, often as part of a party celebrating the Girls National Championship. The girls sail the same course as used for the Fleet Championship.

With 80 to 100 boats on the Fleet Racing starting line and then battling around a relatively short course, our young sailors have a lot of challenges.

First is getting off to a good start.

Crowding at one end of the starting line or the other is common and often results in boats being ‘pushed’ over the line early, necessitating a restart or, if the black flag was flying, disqualification.

Starting more toward the middle of the line, with clear air and water, is a good strategy but requires accurate line sights and good timing. Also a consideration is what side of the first beat is favored, by wind strength, direction and/or current, and how to get there. Consistent sailors try to play the middle of the course because getting too far to one side early in the initial weather leg can be disastrous if wind shifts or breeze (pressure) increases suddenly favor the other side. But every coach has his or her own opinion.

Being in phase to catch each change in wind direction or strength.

Upwind to the finish is often challenging because the other competitors may be coming downwind at the same time. It’s a shorter weather leg to the finish than the first one.

With a lot of boats converging on the finish line at once, lead changes are possible up to the very end. To keep the racing moving, competitors are encouraged to head back to the starting area soon after they finish.

Once there they can hydrate, have a snack and chat with their coach to prepare for their next race.

At the end of eight days of racing, there will be a new National Champion, a new Girls National

Champion and four or five members of the Team Race National Champions, but this event is generous with trophies. USODA stipulates how ‘deep’ the trophies go, including a separate set of awards within the Red, Blue and White fleets. The Green Fleet, which races all four days of the Fleet Nationals, does not award prizes; instead all participants receive the coveted Green Fleet Medals.

So, this is Opti racing at its best… eight days of racing; seven to eight hours on the water each day depending on wind and weather; three to four hours of racing each day; and too many races to count. Lots of tacks and gybes, occasional capsizes, lots and lots of coaching, and a whole lot of fun!

Fleet Racing Course Diagram

Mark roundings are always exciting in the Opti class, especially early in the race. Again, the better sailors will avoid the crowds and concentrate on boat speed when turning the corners.

Sail fast, find the clean wind and stay out of trouble is the mantra upwind.

The first reach from Mark 1 to Mark 2 is often a parade, unless it’s really windy, but provides the necessary separation between divisions that started at different times so they don’t interfere with one another.

Downwind to Mark 3 the racers will often pick a side to keep their wind clear from those boats behind. Mark 3 is usually a “gate” where sailors go between the two marks and choose to either head left or right, rounding the mark on that side. They make the choice based on how they think the wind will favor one side or the other up the beat to the finish.

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Understanding Team Racing 101 The best combination to win as a team is 3, 4, 5, 6. The team with first place often doesn’t win because of the points allocated for position finishes.

Team Racing is about getting the four boats from your team across the finish line in a winning combination through sailing skill, rules knowledge and cunning strategies and tactics. Good team racers combine all of these elements in their winning ways.

The ability to formulate a strategy, change it as needed, and execute flawless tactics to carry it out will determine success as a team racer. You can think of your strategy as your plan for winning, and tactics as the tools you use to bring the plan to fruition.

In team racing, there are as many ways to win a race as there are winning combinations. Thus, from the moment the race begins you and your team mates will be seeking to achieve and maintain a winning combination However, which combination you pursue will undoubtedly change at points during the race.

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For example, if your team gets a great start – first, second, and fifth off of the line – your initial strategy may be to go fast and hope for a breakaway 1-2-anything at the first mark. Later in the race, circumstances may change such that a 2-3-4 looks like the most feasible winning combination. Achieving those finishes will be your new strategy.

Your opponent will rarely make it easy for you to get and hold a winning combination. Your team’s ability to adapt to the changing position of all boats will dictate your strategy as the race progresses.

Your strategy will only be as good as your tactics.

In team racing, tactics refer to the maneuvers and positioning of the your boats relative to your opponent’s. In order to compete both fairly and with cunning, you must have a strong grasp of the racing rules.

A good team racer uses the rules to their advantage and finds opportunity for gain at all points in the race. Mark roundings, in particular, are often where substantial lead changes occur. Close-quarters maneuvering at the marks requires a thorough knowledge of rules and fast

decision-making. Failure to anticipate an opponent’s boat placement and attack can take you out of the race very quickly. Team racers must hink about the big picture.

Teams in losing positions have two options – either attack forward to improve their own individual position, or attack backwards to slow down an opposing sailor so their team mate can pass.

The team racecourse is an ‘S’ on its side, also known as a digital N, and is a very short course. Positions can change really fast in Team Racing and the teams must instantly decide what is the right strategy for any given combination. A team in a winning position will try to sail as fast as possible to get to the finish and secure victory.

Which team is winning? The boat in 1st place scores one point, 2nd place 2 points, etc, and a winning team total is 17 points or less. If both teams have 18 points, the team without 1st place is winning.

The best combination to win as a team is 3, 4, 5, 6. The team with first place often doesn’t win because of the points allocated for position finishes.

Team Racing Course Diagram

For a six minute course, if we assume that an optimist averages 2 knots of boat speed team racing over the whole course, then legs 1, 3, and 5 are about 125 yards and leg 2 is 75 yards and leg 4 is about 50 yards.

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THE BEACH… IS JUST THE BEGINNING.

Pensacola Sports Welcomes The USODA Nationals While you’re here, experience all the Pensacola Bay Area has to offer.

Play on USA TODAY’s “Best Florida Beach”

Make plans to visit again and participate in other sporting events including the Pensacola Double Bridge Run, marathons, triathlons, fishing tournaments and more!

Discover arts & culture on one of the “10 Great Streets in America” Explore one of Trip Advisor’s “Top 25 Museums in the U.S.”

FOR MORE GREAT ACTIVITIES AND ATTRACTIONS, SEE VISITPENSACOLA.COM 16 USODA2018optiNATIONALS.COM

GREEN FLEET For the Fun of it

The USODA Green Fleet at the Pensacola Optimist National Championships is a special fleet for novices. It has two purposes:

1. To encourage novices to attend their first Optimist regatta, and 2. To encourage their continued participation in Optimist racing.

Participation prizes are offered for boys and girls, but everybody wins by participating in the great sport of sailing.

There is no official winner.

while they are racing… even at Nationals. Coaching Clinics and fun events are also part of being Green.

But to be more accurate, only the “bottom half” can be coached. In the more competitive age level fleets the sailor is more on his/her own. Of course, they usually have fun, but the emphasis is on ensuring fair competitive racing for all participants according to the Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS).

If a sailor is fairly competent in the Opti and are able to sail upwind and down, can tack and jibe in medium winds, they really have only one more requirement to be a Green Fleeter.

They have to have the desire to give it a shot.

To further the purpose of encouraging novice sailors, Green Fleet is not scored. All participants receive participation awards. This is done in a manner that is random and not indicative of their placement in the regatta. While placement and progress may be tracked, who places first is less important than learning and improving, and having fun along the way.

Green Fleet racing is aimed at being the “school” of racing while ensuring that every sailor has a good time, a positive learning experience. One of the best things about Green Fleet is that coaches are allowed to “actively” coach the sailors

The International Optimist Dinghy is a strict one-design class. Accordingly, green fleet is open to competitors sailing in authentic International Optimist Dinghies that meet IODA class rules.

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Download the US Sailing Events App This summer US Sailing, the National Governing Body of the sport, introduced a new US Sailing Events App available for free download on your device. The 2018 Optimist Nationals in Pensacola is featured.

Getting App’d up is simple‌ Open the App Store, search for US Sailing Events, touch “GETâ€? and install.

From there you can select Your Events‌ Optimist‌ and you are set to go. This site is an aggregator so you will have access from this one site to the event website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and more. Video and photo links will be posted and daily results and final standings will be at your fingertips as well.

The app will be used to communicate reports that notices have been posted on the official Notice board and they should be noted and reviewed. Sponsors can use the App to ‘push’ their sales and specials.

Sub-groups on the app can use it to talk to their own circle in privacy.

Mike Waters, Chief Technology Officer for US Sailing says, “Make the most of your experience at the 2018 Optimist Nationals Championships and download the customized event app provided by US Sailing. The app offers spectators,

sailors and race organizers a stream for specific communications about the event, including start changes, venue changes,

postponements, and protest locations.

Important information from the official Notice Board will be posted to the app for better accessibility and knowledge share.� “The app also features real-time scoring updates and standings.� Mike points out. “We want sailors and friends of sailors and sailing to join the conversation and track social media posts about the event. Using the app as a onestop-shop for all the buzz at Pensacola’s 2018 Optimist Nationals.�

Pensacola Yacht Club’s Optimist Nationals chairman Tom Pace, Jr. said, “PYC is totally excited to be one of the first events to be featured on the US Sailing Events App. This spectacular use of technology is a new dynamic for regatta communications. We thank US Sailing for giving Pensacola Yacht Club the opportunity to participate with them in a new way to share our event with people all over the world.�

The Events App supports US Sailing, USODA and Pensacola Yacht Club’s goals of a green and sustainable regatta. Learn all about our sponsors and these fantastic youth championship events using the US Sailing Events App. Download today and get started.

US Sailing, the National Governing Body of the sport, introduced a new US Sailing Events App available for free download on your device. It’s an aggregator to access the event website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and more.

Our thanks to the Florida Sports Foundation for their continuing support

Save the Date

230 Beverly Parkway Pensacola, Florida 32505

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FLORIDA – WHERE THE WORLD COMES TO PLAY www.flasports.com

Pensacola Bay Our Part of Paradise

Sailing on Pensacola Bay is spectacular. The bay is naturally protected by Santa Rosa Island to the South. The pass to the Gulf of Mexico is located to the southwest, across from the Naval Air Station Pensacola and divides the Gulf Islands National Seashore on Santa Rosa Island from the western park on Perdido Key.

In summer months, sailors find a daily sea breeze that builds from a mid-day southeasterly to the afternoon 12-15 southwesterly they love. In other seasons, the winds are determined by frontal passages, temperature variables, sunshine and other factors. Tides are minimal, about one foot.

Pensacola Bay is naturally deep with a white sand bottom. The water is clean, seasonally warm and just choppy in a breeze, but not often rough. The eastwest shoreline in downtown Pensacola to the north is perfect for regatta spectating.

Over the years, Pensacola Yacht Club has hosted many national and regional one-design championship events.

Youth regattas include the annual US Sailing Junior

Olympic Sailing Festival, a previous USODA National Championship, the 2010 USODA Gulf Coast Championship, the USODA Southeast Championship in 2013 and the three-event USODA National Championships in 2015.

Adult competitions have included several Thistle and Lightning Class North American Championships, a Melges 24 National Championship, the US Sailing Single Handed Championship and the Corsair Nationals. Later in 2018 PYC will host the Kona Board North American Championship this October and the Flying Scot North Americans are scheduled for July 2019.

All sailors are invited to come sail on Pensacola Bay. Organizers of both amateur regional, national or international sailing championships and professional sailing events should contact Pensacola Yacht Club to discuss racing on beautiful Pensacola Bay. www.pensacolayachtclub.org

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Schedule of Events Please note: The Green Fleet will sail on the four days of the Optimist National Championship, July 14–18. Measurement of Green fleet boats is not required.

The Green Fleet will have its own schedule and Sailing Instructions. The agenda and Sailing Instructions for Green Fleet will be provided during the Green Fleet competitors meeting on the first day.

Schedule subject to change based on current wind and weather conditions.

Changes will be posted on the official notice board through social media channels TBD.

2018 optimist national championship

2018 OPTIMIST GIRLS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

Friday, July 13 0900-1800 Measurement & Check-In

Support (Coach/Spectator) Vessel Flag Registration

Wednesday, July 18 1600-1800 Competitor Check-In and Support (Coach/

Spectator) Vessel Flag Registration

Measurement for competitors not measured

previously on July 13 & 14

Saturday, July 14 0900-1800 Measurement & Check-In

Support (Coach/Spectator) Vessel Flag Registration 1700 Parade of States and Nations – Palafox Place [downtown] 1730 Welcome Ceremony

AC36 NYYC American Magic Challenge Keynote

Saenger Theater - Palafox Place [downtown]

Door Prize Drawing Sunday, July 15 0800-0930 Continental Breakfast

Support (Coach/Spectator) Vessel Flag Registration 0830 Coaches’ Meeting 0900 Competitors’, Coaches’ and Parents’ Meeting 0930 Harbor Start 1030 First Warning Signal - Championship Fleet Monday, July 16 0730-0900 Continental Breakfast 0830 Coaches’ Meeting 0900 Harbor Start 1000 First Warning Signal - Championship Fleet After Racing Regatta Dinner 1 hour after Signal Vessel Docks - USODA Annual General Meeting Tuesday, July 17 0730-0900 0830 0900 1000

Continental Breakfast Coaches’ Meeting Harbor Start First Warning Signal - Championship Fleet

Wednesday, July 18 0730-0900 Continental Breakfast 0830 Coaches’ Meeting 0900 Harbor Start 1000 First Warning Signal - Championship Fleet 1500 No First Warning Signal for a new “Set” of races

after this time After Racing Awards Ceremony & Heavy Hors d’oeuvres

Thursday, July 19 0730-0800 By appointment only: Late Check-In, email usoda@usoda.org.

0730-0900 Continental Breakfast & Support (Coach/

Spectator) Vessel Flag Registration 0830 Coaches’ Meeting 0845 Competitors’, Coaches’ and Parents’ Meeting 0900 Harbor Start 1000 First Warning Signal 1630 No First Warning Signal after this time After Racing Awards Ceremony & Heavy Hors d’oeuvres

2018 OPTIMIST TEAM RACE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP Thursday, July 19 1600-1800 Check-In. PFD and Protest Flag inspection

by Umpires

Support (Coach/Spectator) Vessel Flag Registration Friday, July 20 0730-0900 0815 0830 0900 0915 1000

Continental Breakfast Coaches’ Meeting Umpire Briefing for Competitors Competitors’, Coaches’ and Parents’ Meeting Harbor Start First Warning Signal

Saturday, July 21 0730-0900 0815 0830 0915 1000

Continental Breakfast Coaches’ Meeting Umpire Briefing for Competitors Harbor Start First Warning Signal

Sunday, July 22 0700-0830 0815 0845 0930 1600 After Racing

Continental Breakfast Coaches’ Meeting Harbor Start First Warning Signal No start after this time Awards Ceremony & Heavy Hors d’oeuvres

*Support boat refers to coach, parent or spectator boat 20 USODA2018optiNATIONALS.COM

The 2018 Optimist Nationals Opening Ceremony July 14th at Plaza Ferdinand and the Saenger Theater

American Magic is Coming

All Opti sailors entered in the Optimist National Championships are requested to attend a Gala Ceremony keynoted by an exciting, inspirational America’s Cup presentation in Downtown Pensacola’s historic Saenger Theater

by USODA, The Pensacola Yacht Club and the PYC Satori Foundation and the New York Yacht Club American Magic, U.S. Challenger for the 36th America’s Cup. 1700 Gathering of sailors with flags of States and Nations Plaza Ferdinand at TT Wentworth Museum steps 1730 Welcome Ceremony and Keynote Presentation

by American Magic Saenger Theater • 118 South Palafox Place Sailors Door Prize drawing — A Racing Opti with a Quantum Sail

Sailors entered in any of the three Opti events, their coaches and children under 12

FREE General Admission $15

Details at www.usoda2018optinationals.com

The July 14th Opening Ceremony door prize is a racing Optimist dinghy rigged with a Quantum sail. A single sailor will win this fantastic door prize—YOU HAVE TO BE THERE TO WIN!!

America’s Cup Update and a chance to win an Opti You won’t want to miss it…

Pensacola Yacht Club, USODA, The PYC Satori Foundation and the New York Yacht Club American Magic, U.S. Challenger for the 36th America’s Cup have planned a special opening ceremony and keynote presentation and will offer a Racing Opti door prize giveaway to kick off the 2018 Optimist Nationals.

The 2018 Optimist Nationals Opening Ceremony will begin at 1700hrs (5PM for land lubbers) with sailors gathering on the steps of the TT Wentworth Museum (Pensacola’s old city hall) across from the historic Spanish settlement era Plaza Ferdinand in downtown Pensacola.

Sailors are asked to bring their state and foreign country flags which they will display for a photo of the whole group.

The group will walk one block around Plaza Ferdinand and up Palafox Place a block and a half to Pensacola’s historic Saenger Theater. It has been booked by the PYC Satori Foundation 501(c)3 for the short ceremony at 1730 followed America’s Cup challenge update by the New York Yacht Club American Magic team.

22 USODA2018optiNATIONALS.COM

Each Optimist Nationals sailor, and no one else, will receive a free ticket to the ceremony and a door prize registration tear-off ticket provided at check-in.

This is their receipt for the door prize drawing(s).

The door prize is a racing Optimist dinghy rigged with a Quantum sail. A single sailor will win this fantastic door prize—YOU HAVE TO BE THERE TO WIN!!

Other children under 12 will also be admitted free. Adult tickets will be sold through the Saenger’s TicketMaster system for $15.

The Opti giveaway is made possible by a grant to PYC Satori Foundation from BBVA COMPASS. The sail is courtesy of Quantum Sails, a USODA Silver sponsor.

There may be other door prizes donated by the NYYC American Magic Challenge.

Tom Pace, the Optimist Nationals Chairman is the Emcee. After a ‘brief’ welcome from Pensacola’s Mayor Ashton Hayward and the Organizing Authority, Tom will introduce the presenters from the New York Yacht Club American Magic, U.S. Challenger for the 36th America’s Cup.

• CEO Hap Fauth • NYYC Commodore Phil Lotz • Team members Caleb Paine (Finn bronze medalist), • Team member Bora Gulari (Two time Moth World champion and Olympic Nacra sailor).

The NYYC American Magic team will make their multi-media presentation geared to inform and entertain the Opti audience and older guests.

For friends and family who can’t attend in person, the ceremony and keynote presentation will be ‘live streamed’ linked to their team platforms and our event social media including the new US Sailing Event App which is now available.

Finally, we will have the drawing for the Opti and bring the winner on stage for photos with the celebrities.

Palafox Place in Downtown Pensacola is a hub of dining and entertainment for the whole family. Many restaurants will have special Saturday night offers for Opti families and teams. Choices range from dogs and burgers to gourmet fare.

Make an early night of it before racing starts on Sunday.

(251) 607-1156

The TAG Heuer Aquaracer khaki textile strap with matched dial

(850) 912-6858

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Opti Images by Dave Hein

2018 Optimist Nationals Official Photographer

USODA2018optiNATIONALS.COM 25

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THANKS TO ALL THE OPTIMIST NATIONALS PARTNERS AND USODA PARTNERS Usoda National Gold Sponsors

USODA National Silver Sponsors

Focus Wealth Management UBS Financial Services Inc.

Pensacola Yacht Club Local Sponsors

28 USODA2018optiNATIONALS.COM

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WELCOME OPTIMIST NATIONALS!

The Beach is just the beginning...

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT OUR THREE VISITOR CENTERS. PENSACOLA 1401 E Gregory St. Pensacola, FL 32502 850 434 1234

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PENSACOLA BEACH

PERDIDO KEY

7 Casino Beach Boardwalk Pensacola Beach, FL 32561 850 932 1500

15500 Perdido Key Dr. Pensacola, FL 32507 850 602 9276

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