A near-record 115 sailors aged between 8-15 yrs representing seven countries set sail June 17 to 19 in the International Optimist Regatta (IOR), presented by Electronic Merchant System (EMS) Virgin Islands. Their participation will be prefaced by partaking in the TOTE Maritime Clinic, June 13 to 15, and TOTE Maritime Team Race, on June 16. The IOR/EMS, at nearly a quarter-century old, is one of the largest and longest held junior sailing events in the Caribbean.
This year’s event marks the fifth year that the IOR/EMS has taken part in Sailors for the Sea’s Clean Regattas program. This program, the only ocean conservation nonprofit focused on the sailing and boating community, encourages regatta participants to recycle all plastic water bottles, use the reusable water bottle provided in goodie bag throughout the regatta, keep all lunch bags and wrapping out of the water and pick up any trash on shore and accept drinks without straws.
The 24th International Optimist Regata, presented by Electronic Merchant Systems, is underway in St. Thomas, US VI. pic.twitter.com/lFu93672MC
— Official EMS (@EMScorporate) June 16, 2016