International Optimist Regatta, TOTE Clinic & TOTE Team Race early entry discount ends soon
by Carol Bareuther 19 Dec 2025 15:19 UTC
June 14-21, 2026
Optimists lined up on the beach at the St. Thomas Yacht Club © Matias Capizzano
Entry is open for the 33rd International Optimist Regatta (IOR). The IOR, TOTE Clinic, and the TOTE Team Race will take place June 14-21, 2026, at the St. Thomas Yacht Club. More specifically, the TOTE Clinic takes place June 15-17, followed by the TOTE Team Race on June 18, and the IOR on June 19-21.
"IOR is defined by world-class sailing conditions and the sense of community that fills the entire week. From the on-the-water competition to our growing lineup of evening family events, we're creating experiences sailors and their families remember long after the regatta ends. IOR is more than a regatta, it's a celebration of youth sailing, adventure, and the joy of being here in St. Thomas," says Heather Scholes, regatta director.
"For IOR 2026, our team is fully committed to making this the most memorable regatta yet. A big part of what makes this event so special is not only our incredible community, but the deep pool of talent we have right here at our club. We've also been collaborating closely with local partners to secure discounted hotel and car rates, and with Southwest now serving St. Thomas and offering group travel options, we're excited to help make the journey easier and more affordable. We know traveling here is a big ask, and we want to support families every step of the way," Scholes adds.
For three-plus decades, this week-long trio of events has been recognized throughout the Caribbean and the World for providing great skill-sharpening grounds for top sailors and an excellent entry-level platform for juniors new to the sport. Also, several IOR sailors have become college All-Americans, America's Cup sailors, and Olympians.
The 2026 IOR can accept only a maximum of 150 sailors, 40 of those in Green Fleet. Therefore, register early at www.regattanetwork.com/event/30320
New this year is an Early Bird registration fee of $300 through December 31, 2025. The IOR registration fee is $350 as of January 1, 2026, and late registration after April 1 is $400. A refund, less a processing fee, will be granted to those entries canceled by May 1, 2026. Pricing for both the IOR and TOTE Clinic is $700 until December 31, 2025; $800 until March 31, 2026; and $900 on April 1, 2026, and after.
"TOTE Maritime is committed to being involved in our community at each location and is honored to continue our association with the 2026 International Optimist Regatta in the USVI. In line with TOTE's stance on safety, reliability, and commitment, we proudly sponsor the annual TOTE Clinic and TOTE Team Race," says Clarence Nibbs, terminal manager, TOTE Maritime Agency USVI.
Some of the best sailors in the sport are expected to participate in this Caribbean Sailing Association-sanctioned regatta. Sailors can compete in Advanced Red (ages 13-15), Blue (ages 11-12), and White (ages 10 and under), as well as the Beginner Green fleet.
Trophies will be awarded to the top five finishers in the Red, Blue, and White classes, the top three overall, and the top-place female. Participation awards will be given to all Green fleet sailors. Additional awards include the Peter Ives' Perpetual Trophy (superb sailor/individual), the Chuck Fuller Sportsmanship Perpetual Trophy, and the Founder's Perpetual Trophy (Top Female).
The IOR is sponsored by TOTE and the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism.
Make plans now!
For charters, contact Simmons Boatworks at simmonsbw.com/collections/packages-transfers/products/2026-winner-optimist-charter. The charter package includes a Winner hull with airbags, blocks, 3-to-1 mainsheet, 2 bailers, paddle, painter, and top cover, on a dolly. Bring your own wind indicator, sail, and sail ties. Green Fleet will receive One Plus hulls. The charter fee is $650 and includes clinic and practice days. The deadline to reserve charter boats is May 1, 2026.
For coach boat charters, contact:
St. Thomas offers outstanding accessibility—now enhanced with a new low-cost option. In addition to established access via American Airlines (Charlotte, Dallas, Miami, New York), Delta (Atlanta, New York), JetBlue (Boston, San Juan), Spirit (Fort Lauderdale, Orlando), United (Houston, Newark, Washington-Dulles), and Frontier (San Juan), Southwest Airlines will launch daily nonstop service from Orlando (MCO) to St. Thomas (STT) beginning February 5, 2026, with service from Baltimore/Washington (BWI) starting February 7, 2026.
On the regional front, intra-Caribbean air connectivity remains strong through Cape Air, Air Sunshine, Fly the Whale, SKYhigh Dominicana, and Seaborne Airlines, which continue to serve St. Thomas from neighboring islands.
Accommodations on St. Thomas include resorts, hotels, inns, bed-and-breakfasts, and timeshares. There are approximately 600 villa units and 200 charter yachts on St. Thomas/St. John. There are over 3,000 Airbnb listings in St. Thomas. For more information about the U.S. Virgin Islands, go to www.visitusvi.com
For more information, Email: or call (340) 775-6320. Or, for the Notice of Regatta (NOR), Registration Form, and other information, visit the St. Thomas Yacht Club website at stthomasyachtclub.org/sailing/regattas/international-optimist-regatta or www.regattanetwork.com/event/25798. Please also see the International Optimist Regatta on Facebook and Instagram @internationaloptiregatta