Member Update from the Board - September 24, 2020

Dear USODA Sailors and Families,

We hope you are all healthy, had a great summer and were able to enjoy as much time on the water as you possibly could!  While COVID 19 continues to put a hold on many of our daily activities, the USODA Board of Directors is happy to provide the following updates:

We have three regional regattas on the calendar this fall and will continue to add events as hosts come forward and feel comfortable.  Remember, these events are still subject to state and local COVID 19 rules and regulations, as well as any additional restrictions placed on them by our hosts. 

Midwinters 2020 - Southern Yacht Club

Our first open event will be our Midwinter Championship, hosted by Southern Yacht Club over Thanksgiving Weekend.  We encourage all those who are interested in attending and who can safely travel and meet their state and local guidelines for exit and re-entry to enter. It shall be the responsibility of the parent to ensure they are meeting all requirements to safely travel.

There are no qualifications at stake!

The Midwinter Championship WILL NOT be a qualifier for any Spring International Events, as international travel is still not feasible due to the many restrictions from other countries and our own State Department.

International Travel

The Board continues to monitor the ability for USODA to send teams to international events and we are working to secure alternate dates in early 2021 to host a Spring Team Qualifier, if travel in the US will allow for a fair, inclusive qualifier and international travel is feasible! The Board is hoping for the best outcome but trying to plan for all scenarios.

We want to remind our families that with the exception of IODA Continental and World Championships, international events that we send teams to are generally open events, meaning families who wish to attend may do so on their own.  

2021 Team Trials

2021 Team Trials is planned for April 22-25 at Lakewood Yacht Club and will be an open event.  That means that events leading up to Team Trials ARE NOT qualifiers.  Sail in those regattas that you can, letting the sailors compete, stay sharp and have fun!!!

USNT/ODP2 Update

The USNT/ODP2 Committee is working on plans to relaunch both programs this fall for sailors who had previously qualified for those teams. 

ODP2 is looking to have regional practices during the fall, and a national ‘meeting’ prior to our Midwinter Championship.  Additional sailors may be invited to these practices/meetings based on available space and coach recommendations. 

USNT is planning a pre-Midwinters practice for current USNT members who wish to participate. 

Further information from the USNT/ODP2 Committee will be provided separately.

USODA Town Hall

USODA President Chris Hamilton will host a Town Hall to provide an update for everyone on the path forward and address questions and concerns you might have. Please stay tuned for an announcement with a date and time in the very near future.

In the meantime, if you have any questions, concerns or ideas, please do not hesitate to reach out to any current board member or our Class Executive Director, Beth Danilek at usoda@usoda.org.

USODA Gold Partners

USODA is the National class organization for Optimist sailing in the United States. 

The United States Optimist Dinghy Association (USODA) has helped grow interest in sailing and would like you to join us in developing lifelong sailors.

Our mission is simple:

USODA will support and sustain junior sailors, their families, and junior sailing programs with leadership, information, and organization which facilitates the growth of Optimist sailing at all levels. We will accomplish this while promoting fun, safety, self-reliance, and good sportsmanship.

USODA is a 501(c)(3) educational organization, able to receive tax deductible contributions from individuals. Its interest is in promoting a boat, the International Optimist Dinghy (IOD), and promoting sailing across the United States. 

The USODA is the US member of the International Optimist Dinghy Association (IODA). This association coordinates rules and standards for the Optimist as a strict One Design class. IODA is a member of World Sailing. US Sailing oversees sailing in the USA.

"Sailors for Life"