The Virgin Island Sailing Association and the St. Additional sponsors include Virgin Islands Department of Tourism and K-3 Waterproof Gear.
Thomas Yacht Club are pleased to announce the 25th Anniversary of the International Optimist Regatta presented by EMS Virgin Islands. We want to invite you to come to our wonderful island for a fabulous time racing with excellent wind, clear seas and great competition. Last year we hosted 109 sailors from 7 different countries. We hope you can join us this year! June 12-14 Clinic
June 15 Team Racing
June 16-18 Regatta
23/06/2026
A huge THANK YOU to the sponsors and supporters of the 2026 IOR!
Mark your calendars now!
IOR 2027 - June 13-20, 2027
St. Thomas Yacht Club
Caribbean Sailing Association
Christie’s International Real Estate US Virgin Islands
Barefoot Buddha on The Fly
Switlik Survival Products
Colie Sailmakers
Budget Marine
Simmons Boatworks
St. Thomas Restaurant Group Special Events & Catering
22/06/2026
Presenting the Winners of the 2026 International Optimist Regatta! Congratulations to all - podium placers and future podium placers!
Mark Your Calendar Now - IOR 2027 - June 13-20, 2027
Credit: Kendall Hebert Photography
Full results at: http://www.regattanetwork.com/.../applet_regatta_results...
St. Thomas Yacht Club
Caribbean Sailing Association
United States Virgin Islands
Christie’s International Real Estate US Virgin Islands
Barefoot Buddha on The Fly
Switlik Survival Products
Colie Sailmakers
Budget Marine
Simmons Boatworks
St. Thomas Restaurant Group Special Events & Catering
22/06/2026
Check out this great article on Sail-World about the 2026 IOR!
Thank you Sail-World!
Sailing fast, great tactics, and spotting opportunities led the USA's Joshua Wenokur to win the 33rd International Optimist Regatta (IOR), hosted at the St. Thomas Yacht Club (STYC), June 14-21, 2026. [Photo (c) Kendall Hebert Photography] https://www.sail-world.com/news/297315/?source=facebook
22/06/2026
USA'S WENOKUR WINS 33RD INTERNATIONAL OPTIMIST REGATTA - ST. THOMAS, US VIRGIN ISLANDS
St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands. Sailing fast, great tactics, and spotting opportunities led the USA's Joshua Wenokur to win the 33rd International Optimist Regatta (IOR), hosted at the St. Thomas Yacht Club (STYC), June 14-21, 2026. Fifteen-year-old Wenokur races out of the South Coast Corinthian Yacht Club, in Marina del Rey, CA, USA, and is part of JK Sailing. He one of nearly 100 sailors from Bermuda, Brazil, the British Virgin Islands, the Dominican Republic, France, Peru, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Spain, St. Croix, St. Thomas, and Trinidad & Tobago, and the U.S. states of California, Florida, Maine, New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island, which competed in this three-day regatta in 8-foot, single-sail Optimist dinghies, with conditions averaging 12- to 15-plus knots of breeze under sunny skies.
THE WINNERS
The top three sailors overall after 10 races in the 2026 IOR Championship Fleet were Wenokur first; Florida's Jonah Watson, with Coach Pulio Sailing, second; and Connecticut's Brooks Pardi, from LISOT/Riverside Yacht Club, third.
Wenokur's first-place overall also put him at the top of the 13- to 15-year-old Red Fleet.
"My game plan was to sail as fast as I could and control as many variables as possible," he says. "Going into the final day, I knew I only needed to beat Jonah in one of the two races to win overall. In the last race, I spotted a sag in the middle of the starting line, got out front early, and held the lead to the finish. Winning both races today sealed the victory."
Consistency was the key all week for Watson, age 11, who also won the 11- to 12-year-old Blue Fleet.
"The pin end was usually favored, and about a quarter of the way up the course, there would be a big left shift that I was able to use to get over the top of some of the other sailors," he says. "The energy and competition from the fleet really pushed me to sail beyond my limits and perform better than usual."
Finishing fifth in the Blue Fleet and 13th overall out of 44 boats in the Championship Fleet, Puerto Rico's Cecilia Christiansen earned Top Female. Christiansen sails for Club Nautico de San Juan.
In the age 10 and under, White Fleet, New York, USA's Caleb Goldman, from LISOT/Centerport Yacht Club, landed in the lead.
"I sailed in the Green Fleet last year, so I already knew what to expect from the conditions," says Goldman. "On the first day, the pin end was favored, but I started in the middle of the line and finished 27th, which thankfully became my throw-out. What really helped was that the conditions stayed pretty consistent all week, with 15 to 18 knots of oscillating breeze and 3- to 4-foot swells. Even when a squall pushed the wind to 20 knots today, I just focused on boat speed and pointing as high as I could, and it worked."
Forty-three sailors competed in the beginner Green Fleet, completing 23 races over four days. When the final scores were tallied, Florida's Avery Cherng, representing the Coral Reef Yacht Club, emerged as the champion.
"My game plan every day was simple: do my best and not worry about the numbers," says Cherng. "I just went out, tried my hardest, and focused on enjoying the racing."
Additional awards included the Peter Ives' Perpetual Trophy, won by 14-year-old Aerin Westlake, representing the BVI's Royal BVI Yacht Club, and the Chuck Fuller Sportsmanship Perpetual Trophy, earned by Puerto Rico's Club Nautico de San Juan's Daniel Christiansen. Both Ives and Fuller participated in early IORs at the invitation of STYC's Henry Menin, one of the regatta's founders.
A WEEK OF SAILING
The 7- to 15-year-old sailors began the week by training at the three-day TOTE Clinic, held from June 15 to 17. The Clinic concluded with a Volvo Ocean Race VI-style, in which sailors completed four legs around the east end of St. Thomas and its offshore islands. Florida's Marius Garbayo Ante, representing the Lauderdale Yacht Club, won the Championship Fleet title in the Volvo, while Cherng captured top honors in the Beginner Green Fleet.
Some of the best Optimist coaches conduct on-the-water training sessions and instructive on-land debriefs for both Advanced (age-divided Red, White, and Blue Fleets) and beginner (Green Fleet) sailors. This year's coaches included Manuel 'Manny' Resano, head coach for the U.S. National Team; Esteban 'Pilo' Rocha, Lauderdale Yacht Club, Florida, USA; Mike Dowd, CERT Team USA; Agustin 'Argy' Resano, St. Thomas Yacht Club (STYC), USVI; Mykel Alonso, Coral Reef Yacht Club, Forida, USA; Nikki Barnes, STYC, Coral Reef Yacht Club and 2020 Olympian in Women's 470; Emily Verdoia, STYC; Coby Fagan, STYC; Audry Zimmerman, STYC; Emma Walters, STYC; and Mila Melbourne, STYC.
The one-day TOTE Team Racing Championships took place on June 18.
The champion LISOT Black team members are Brooks Pardi, Riverside Yacht Club/Connecticut; Ryan Breck, Riverside Yacht Club/Connecticut; Leah Goldman, Centerport Yacht Club/New York; Thomas Alexopoulos, Riverside Yacht Club/ Connecticut; and CC Alamgir, Bellport Yacht Club/New York.
Greer Scholes (ISV) served as the Principal Race Officer for the IOR, while the International Jury included chair Don Makowiecki (BVI), David Pelling (CAN), Bruce Cook (USA), Mike Chapell (USVI), Pat Bailey (USVI), and Ruth Miller (USVI).
Strong Sponsor Support
The IOR is sponsored by TOTE, Switlik Survival Products, and the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism, and supported by Simmons Boatworks, Buddha on the Fly, Budget Marine, St. Thomas Restaurant Group, Christie's International Real Estate, and Colie Sails.
This year's event will follow an eco-friendly theme. Each sailor receives a reusable metal water bottle to reduce waste. Sailors are also encouraged to keep all lunch bags and wrapping out of the water, pick up trash on shore, and refrain from using straws when accepting drinks.
The IOR is a Caribbean Sailing Association-sanctioned event.
For more information, Email: [email protected] or call (340) 775-6320. Or, for the Notice of Regatta (NOR), Registration Form, and Full Results, visit the St. Thomas Yacht Club website at stthomasyachtclub.org/sailing/regattas/international-optimist-regatta or Regatta Network: www.regattanetwork.com/event/30320. Please also see the International Optimist Regatta on Facebook and Instagram .
Credit: Kendall Hebert Photography
RESULTS
TOP 5 FINISHERS BY FLEET
Name, Yacht Club, Country, Points
RED FLEET
1. Joshua Wenokur, JK Sailing/SCCYC, USA (13)
2. Brooks Pardi, LISOT/RYC, USA (27)
3. Ryan Breck, RYC, USA (54)
4. Mauro Morales, CNSJ, Puerto Rico (64)
5. Briggs Siewert, SIYC, USA (70)
BLUE FLEET
1. Jonah Watson, Coach Pulio Sailing, USA (18)
2. Thomas Alexopoulos, LISOT/RYC, USA (56)
3. Marius Garbayo Ante, LYC, USA (73)
4. Aaron Riker, RBYC, Bermuda (99)
5. Cecilia Christiansen, CNSJ, Puerto Rico (110)
WHITE FLEET
1. Caleb Goldman, LISOT/CYC, USA (136)
2. Jack McWilliams, PYC/NYCP, USA (236)
3. Everett Lindberg, JK Sailing/SCCYC, USA (270)
GREEN FLEET
1. Avery Cherng, CRYC, USA (63)
2. Zane Theiler, CRYC, USA (79)
3. Lucy Perry, STYC, USVI (84)
4. Elias Blanco, CNSJ, Puerto Rico (86)
5. George Ghia, CRYC, USA (138)
St. Thomas Yacht Club
Caribbean Sailing Association
United States Virgin Islands
Christie’s International Real Estate US Virgin Islands
Barefoot Buddha on The Fly
Switlik Survival Products
Colie Sailmakers
Budget Marine
Simmons Boatworks
St. Thomas Restaurant Group Special Events & Catering
21/06/2026
It's Day 3, the Final Day of Racing, in the 2026 IOR! We'll be racing up until mid-day with the awards at 3 p.m. at the St. Thomas Yacht Club! In the Caribbean, we usually don't have start lines this large! But we do each year for the IOR! Lovin' It!
Happy Father's Day to all of our Opti Dads!
And some love out to our great coaches!!
See full results here: https://www.regattanetwork.com/clubmgmt/applet_regatta_results.php?regatta_id=30320
St. Thomas Yacht Club
Caribbean Sailing Association
United States Virgin Islands
Christie’s International Real Estate US Virgin Islands
Barefoot Buddha on The Fly
Switlik Survival Products
Colie Sailmakers
Budget Marine
Simmons Boatworks
St. Thomas Restaurant Group Special Events & Catering
Today concludes the spectacular Day 2 of the 2026 IOR!
Credit: Kendall Hebert Photography & Video
Here are the Top 10 Overall Positions in the Championship Fleet after Day 2:
1. USA 441, Joshua Wenokur[Red], JK Sailing SCCYC, 1-2-1-1-2-1-3-[5]- ; 11
2. USA 486, Jonah Watson[Blue], Coach Pulio Sailing, 2-[9]-3-4-1-2-1-1- ; 14
3. 117, Brooks Pardi[Red], USNT/LISOT/Riverside Yacht Club, [8]-1-2-2-3-5-2-6- ; 21
4. USA 23966, Thomas Alexopoulos[Blue], Riverside Yacht Club / LISOT, 10-7-5-6-[21]-9-5-2- ; 44
5. PUR 62, Mauro morales[Red], Club Náutico San Juan, 4-8-[45/RET-AF]-3-8-4-14-4- ; 45T
6. USA 23031, Ryan Breck[Red], Riverside Yacht Club, 6-[15]-8-5-4-3-6-13- ; 45T
7. USA 23717, Marius Garbayo Ante[Blue], Lauderdale Yacht Club, 3-3-4-13-[16]-7-10-8- ; 48
8. USA 21175, Briggs Siewert[Red], Shelter Island YC, [21]-4-12-8-7-6-7-10- ; 54
9. USA 23975, Jack Van Orden[Red], Brant Beach Yacht Club, 5-14-11-9-[15]-15-4-3- ; 61
10. USA 505, CC Alamgir[Red], Bellport Bay Yacht Club, 7-13-7-[17]-11-12-8-9- ; 67
Here are the Top 10 Overall Positions in the Green Fleet after Day 2:
1. USA 531, Avery Cherng, CRYC, 3-2-4-1-[6]-[10]-1-4-5-6-2-6-3-[15]-1-3-1-1- ; 43
2. ISV 14, Lucy Perry, STYC, 4-6-1-4-4-[9]-3-[13]-[13]-5-1-2-6-2-2-1-5-5- ; 51
3. USA 1924, Zane Theiler, CRYC, 2-[34]-3-3-5-5-4-5-4-3-5-[11]-1-5-10-4-2-[12]- ; 61
4. PUR 1123, Elias Blanco, Club Náutico de San Juan, 9-3-6-2-2-1-6-2-1-8-3-5-[11]-10-5-[14]-[11]-4- ; 67
5. 23972, George Ghia, CORAL REEF YACHT CLUB, 1-4-[13]-5-11-2-10-3-9-11-[16]-1-5-7-8-6-4-[28]- ; 87
6. PUR 86, Gustavo M. Garcia Amado, Club Nautico de San Juan, [16]-7-10-7-1-[15]-9-10-11-1-4-7-8-6-[19]-7-6-9- ; 103
7. USA 260, Bailey Bridge[Blue], St Pete Yacht Club, 8-5-17-9-3-[24]-[22]-9-14-2-11-20-15-1-3-2-21-[32]- ; 140
8. ISV 15, Liam Smith, St. Thomas Yacht Club, [30]-1-[30]-19-21-8-[23]-20-15-4-9-3-9-4-6-13-14-7- ; 153
9. PUR 82, Daniel Christiansen, Club Náutico de San Juan, 5-9-2-20-[33]-7-[24]-1-8-13-[41]-13-23-11-11-10-8-13- ; 154
10. USA 549, Billy Thaon d’Arnoldi, CGSC, 13-[18]-9-17-15-6-7-12-6-12-6-14-[21]-[18]-17-9-9-8- ; 160
For full results, visit: www.regattanetwork.com/event/30320 +results
St. Thomas Yacht Club
Caribbean Sailing Association
United States Virgin Islands
Christie’s International Real Estate US Virgin Islands
Barefoot Buddha on The Fly
Switlik Survival Products
Colie Sailmakers
Budget Marine
Simmons Boatworks
St. Thomas Restaurant Group Special Events & Catering
20/06/2026
It's Day Two of the 2026 IOR! It's in the 80s, with winds at 13-15 knots from the ESE, bright sun, and a couple of passing clouds for shade. Here's a recap of some of the scenes from the water yesterday!
Credit to and thank you Kendall Hebert Photography!
Full results at: www.regattanetwork.com/clubmgmt/applet_regatta_results.php?regatta_id=30320
St. Thomas Yacht Club
Caribbean Sailing Association
United States Virgin Islands
Christie’s International Real Estate US Virgin Islands
Barefoot Buddha on The Fly
Switlik Survival Products
Colie Sailmakers
Budget Marine
Simmons Boatworks
St. Thomas Restaurant Group Special Events & Catering
Flying over the fleet on the first day of the 2026 IOR!
Credit: Kendall Hebert Photography & Video
For full results, visit: https://www.regattanetwork.com/event/30320 +results
St. Thomas Yacht Club
Caribbean Sailing Association
United States Virgin Islands
Christie’s International Real Estate US Virgin Islands
Barefoot Buddha on The Fly
Switlik Survival Products
Colie Sailmakers
Budget Marine
Simmons Boatworks
St. Thomas Restaurant Group Special Events & Catering
19/06/2026
Today was the start and the finish of Day 1 of the 2026 IOR!
Credit: Kendall Hebert Photography
Here are the Top 10 Overall Positions in the Championship Fleet after Day 1:
1. USA 441, Joshua Wenokur[Red], JK Sailing SCCYC, 1-2-1-1- ; 5
2. 117, Brooks Pardi[Red], USNT/LISOT/Riverside Yacht Club, 8-1-2-2- ; 13
3. USA 486, Jonah Watson[Blue], Coach Pulio Sailing, 2-9-3-4- ; 18
4. USA 23717, Marius Garbayo Ante[Blue], Lauderdale Yacht Club, 3-3-4-13- ; 23
5. USA 23966, Thomas Alexopoulos[Blue], Riverside Yacht Club / LISOT, 10-7-5-6- ; 28
6. USA 23031, Ryan Breck[Red], Riverside Yacht Club, 6-15-8-5- ; 34
7. USA 23975, Jack Van Orden[Red], Brant Beach Yacht Club, 5-14-11-9- ; 39
8. USA 463, Bennett Hirsch[Red], South Coast Corinthian Yacht Club, 15-6-6-16- ; 43
9. USA 505, CC Alamgir[Red], Bellport Bay Yacht Club, 7-13-7-17- ; 44T
10. PUR 92, Cecilia Christiansen[Blue], Club Náutico de San Juan, 9-10-10-15- ; 44T
Here are the Top 10 Overall Positions in the Green Fleet after Day 1:
1. PUR 1123, Elias Blanco, Club Náutico de San Juan, [9]-3-6-2-2-1-6-2-1-8- ; 31
2. USA 531, Avery Cherng, CRYC, 3-2-4-1-6-[10]-1-4-5-6- ; 32
3. USA 1924, Zane Theiler, CRYC, 2-[34]-3-3-5-5-4-5-4-3- ; 34
4. ISV 14, Lucy Perry, STYC, 4-6-1-4-4-9-3-[13]-13-5- ; 49
5. 23972, George Ghia, CRYC, 1-4-[13]-5-11-2-10-3-9-11- ; 56
6. PUR 86, Gustavo M. Garcia Amado, Club Nautico de San Juan, [16]-7-10-7-1-15-9-10-11-1- ; 71
7. ISV 21, Layla Ledee, STYC, 10-8-7-[25]-7-16-2-7-21-7- ; 85T
8. USA 168, Patrick Buraglia, CRYC, 15-11-[22]-13-18-3-5-8-3-9- ; 85T
9. PUR 82, Daniel Christiansen, Club Náutico de San Juan, 5-9-2-20-[33]-7-24-1-8-13- ; 89T
10. USA 260, Bailey Bridge[Blue], St Pete Yacht Club, 8-5-17-9-3-[24]-22-9-14-2- ; 89T
For full results, visit: https://www.regattanetwork.com/event/30320 +results
St. Thomas Yacht Club
Caribbean Sailing Association
United States Virgin Islands
Christie’s International Real Estate US Virgin Islands
Barefoot Buddha on The Fly
Switlik Survival Products
Colie Sailmakers
Budget Marine
Simmons Boatworks
St. Thomas Restaurant Group Special Events & Catering
19/06/2026
Check out the Virgin Islands Daily News for a report on the IOR's TOTE Maritime Clinic and Team Race earlier this week! Today is the first day of racing in the 33rd IOR! Let's cheer for our nearly 100 sailors!!!
Photo Credit: Kendall Hebert Photography
St. Thomas Yacht Club
Caribbean Sailing Association
United States Virgin Islands
Christie’s International Real Estate US Virgin Islands
Barefoot Buddha on The Fly
Switlik Survival Products
Colie Sailmakers
Budget Marine
Simmons Boatworks
St. Thomas Restaurant Group Special Events & Catering