The Pre-World Optimist Sailing Championship for North America is taking place at the Santo Domingo Yacht Club in Boca Chica this week. The 2011 event, dubbed the First International Optimist Regatta, is being organized by the Dominican Sailing Federation.
The regatta began on 11 July and will continue through 17 July. The championship is helping prepare Dominican hosts for the 50th International Optimist Dinghy Association (IODA) World Sailing Championship that will take place at the same yacht club facilities 15-26 July 2012.
Andrea Garrochategui de Pacheco is the president of the tournament organizing committee.
70 competitors aged 8 to 15 from 17 countries are participating. Competitors have come from faraway countries including Argentina, Brazil, Great Britain, New Zealand, Spain and South Africa. The two recent South American champions and others who have participated in world competitions are vying to win the local sailing event.
10 competitors are on the Dominican team.