The Dominican sailing community is up to the challenge to present the IODA North American Optimist Championship from 30 June to 8 July in Boca Chica, the beach community east of Santo Domingo.
Some 198 sailors from 23 countries around the world are expected for the event that gathers some of the best junior sailors (up to 15 years category) in the region.
Eduardo Verdeja, president of the Dominian Optimist Association, heads the organizing committee.
Participants are coming from the Netherlands Antilles, Argentina, Bermuda, Brazil, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Chile, Ecuador, France, Germany, Guatemala, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Puerto Rico, Spain, Trinidad & Tobago, Uruguay, the United States, US Virgin Islands, and Venezuela.
The members of the national team are: Erick Holmbom, Paloma Esteban, Eduardo Ariza, Rodrigo Delgado, Sebastian Bros, Justina Pacheco, Alina Nordbruch, Natali Nordbruch, Nicole Reitzel, Nicolas Moreno, Joan Mella and Paula Varona. Coaches are Rulo Borojovich and Jato Ocariz.
The event is sponsored by the Dominican Optimist Association (ADO), the Dominican Sailing Federation (FDV) under the supervision of the International Optimist Dinghy Association (IODA).
The executive committee is Eduardo Verdeja, director general; Juan Lehoux, treasurer; Omar Bros, marketing director; Andres Santana, technical director.
See http://www.optinam2009.org/app/do/frontpage.aspx