Optimist Sailing Competition 2011

The primary class of boat sailed in the India International Regatta is the Optimist, a single-handed dinghy for the very young. Sailed in over a hundred countries by over 160,000 sailors, The International Optimist is the only boat that is approved by the International Sailing Federation [ISAF] exclusively for sailors under 16. 

In recent years around 30 builders worldwide have produced over 4,000 boats a year making it the biggest youth racing class in the World. It is sailed in the six continents as well as at the World championships. 

At  the Athens Olympics in 2004, over 60 percent of sailors started out in Optimists and at the Beijing Olympics, 85% of medal winning skippers were former Optimist dinghy sailors. This highlights the learning that is inculcated in the formative years of childhood while training in this boat and the solid foundation that Optimist sailing provides future Champions. Regular world and continental championships are held every year at different venues and see huge turnout of enthusiastic youngsters of both sexes. 

It is the only sub junior class that is sailed in the Asian Games. Designed in 1947 by Clark Mills, the Optimist is an International One Design class approved by the ISAF with identical boats made of a durable GRP Hull thereby ensuring minimal maintenance. 

After design improvements in Denmark where it became so popular that the Scandinavian countries dominated the world championships during the early years till 1990s, the design was strictly standardized in 1995 as a One design class – the IODA 95 class (International Optimist Dinghy Association specs of ’95) with strict class rules that apply to construction and accessories. 

 

In India, the Yachting Association of India [YAI] realized very early that this was the boat to be adopted to attract children to this sport and with that in mind the National Optimist Association of India was started to serve the needs of sailors in this class. With the induction of a big fleet of 150 boats all over the country through the Government of India’s initiative and a well-structured training program, Optimist sailing has got a big boost in the country. 

A ranking system for the sailors has also been put in place based on their performance in various events and a National Squad has been constituted with the top sailors. The Nationals Squad undergoes intensive training that prepares them for internationals events and consequently India’s performance in international events has shown consistent improvement.