Presented by Kathy Lammers on behalf of Antigua Yacht Club and the Antigua & Barbuda Sailing Association, Ms Lammers confirmed today that IODA (The International Optimist Dinghy Championship) executive committee had voted unanimously for Antigua to host the 2019 edition.
Currently in Thailand for the Optimist World Championships (aka OptiWorlds) at which a record breaking 280 sailors from 62 countries are attending, Ms Lammers travelled there to formally present the Antigua bid and to get an opportunity to see the set up of the event in anticipation of the bid being accepted.
The 2019 World Championship event will take place in Antigua from July 6 -16 and will bring significant economic benefits to Antigua during the summer months as did the two previously hosted summer events.
Congratulations and a job well done to Kathy Lammers who is the President of the Caribbean Sailing Association and Antigua Sailing Week.
This year’s OptiWorlds sets a Guinness World Record for the most number of countries represented at any single-class sailing event in history. All 62 countries were represented by a delegate entitled to vote for Antigua as the venue for the 2019 OptiWorlds.
Many IODA members were aware of Antigua’s success hosting the 2015 and 2016 Optinam events which contributed to a good response to Antigua’s 2019 bid.
Sponsorship will now be required from many local, regional and international organisations in order to facilitate hosting of the event. To express interest in volunteering or sponsorship in anticipation of Antigua winning the bid to host the Optimist World Championships in 2019, please get in touch with Antigua Yacht Club at [email protected].
For more information about the event and IODA visit the official website www.optiworld.org
