Portugal hosts Optimist World Championship 2016

LISBON, Portugal – This year Vilamoura will provide the backdrop for the Optimist World Championship, the largest sailing competition in the beginner’s category. The event will take place from the 26th of June to the 4th of July and will gather 400 athletes aged between 11 and 13, along with their coaches. With participants coming from over 60 countries, this competition is second only to the Olympic Games in terms of the number of nationalities involved.

Vilamoura possesses an extensive range of facilities and the infrastructure necessary to hold international events on this scale. It is home to Europe’s leading marina, a wide range of accommodation, gastronomy and sports facilities, and boasts outstanding weather.

The impact of the Optimist World Championship will be felt well beyond the world of sailing and sailing enthusiasts and is expected to provide benefits across society: for the economy, for education, healthy living, social diversity and innovation. The competition is organized by the Marina de Vilamoura International Club with the support of the Portuguese Optimist Class Association (APCIO), under the authority of the International Optimist Dinghy Association (IODA) and is backed by Vilamoura World. The final test event, The Vilamoura World Cup, was held between the 16-19th of June.

Isolete Correia, Director of the Vilamoura Marina, stated: “It is a great honour for Vilamoura to host such an important and prestigious event. The Optimist World Championship will attract hundreds of sportspeople, their teams, families, friends and fans to the Algarve.” The Marina director believes that Vilamoura has the ideal conditions for hosting this event, not only because of its exceptional conditions for nautical sports, but also due to its broad offer of services for visitors.

Paul Taylor, President of Vilamoura World, adds: “To attract this kind of event to Vilamoura is one of the main missions of Vilamoura World. Hosting this prestigious sailing competition is a direct result of Vilamoura’s ability to provide the facilities and infrastructures that are necessary for large events. We are confident that Vilamoura will provide athletes, teams, families and the general public an unforgettable social and sports experience.”