Young Sailing Competition Launches in Grosse Pointe Saturday

All Aboard!

Starting in just a few days, the Grosse Pointe Yacht Club will play host to over 400 sailors, ages 8-15, when the National Youth Regatta comes to town.

The United States Optimist Dinghy Association (USODA) National Championships have joined forces with the Yacht Club and the Grosse Pointe Youth Nautical Foundation to showcase the best in young sailing.

"The event is a great experience for boys and girls to compete, grow in confidence, meet new people from around the country and indeed, around the world," said Blaise Klenow, secretary of the Grosse Pointe Yacht Club and co-chair of the USODA Nationals. "Additionally, it serves to demonstrate to people around the country the positive aspects of the Detroit regional area."

The competition originated in 1975 and has taken place every year since.

This year's regatta will include three main events: the USODA Team Race National Championship (July 6-9), USODA Girls National Championship (July 10) and USODA Open Fleet National Championship (July 11-14).

Participants will be classified into three flights - red, white and blue - with points being accumulated by placement when finishing. Trophies will be awarded by division and overall achievement.

"The sailors that compete in the OPTIs are those who go on to compete in the Olympics, America's Cup and other worldwide competitions," Klenow said.

The 2013 event is the the first time the regatta is being held in Michigan, a state dedicated to the sport of youth sailing.  

The USODA OPTI National Youth Regatta will take place July 6-14 at the Grosse Pointe Yacht Club. While it is only open to registered participants, their families, officials and volunteers, members of the Yacht Club are also invited.

For more information on the event, visit http://usodanationals-2013.org