Argentina’s victory wraps up the Optinam 2021 in the Riviera Nayarit
- Mexico’s Pacific Treasure became Mexico’s sailing epicenter from May 29 to June 4. The 2021 North American Optimist Championship marked the end of the first stage of the regatta season in Mexico’s Pacific Treasure, which began last January with the Vallarta Cup Race Series.
The 2021 15th North American Optimist Sailing Championship (Optinam), hosted by the Riviera Nayarit from May 29 to June 4, culminated with Argentina’s triumph in the team competition. The competition marked the end of the first stage of this tourist destination’s Nautical Season.
One hundred and ten young sailors from 12 countries participated this year: Argentina, Bahamas, Bermuda, Brazil, Cayman Islands, Chile, Guatemala, Puerto Rico, United States, Uruguay, Virgin Islands, and Mexico. The closing ceremony was spectacular, with the Argentine team taking the top spot on the podium after beating Brazil.
The winning team included Agustina Argüelles, Tomás Travaglini, Julieta Benedetto Josef Contardi, Lucas Contardi, and Delfina Kuttel. The latter won the “Perpetual Trophy for the Best Female Finisher” with 91 points.
The United States won the top three places in the individual tally: Fynn Olsen in first place; Gil Hackel in second; and Richard Syke in third place. The U.S. also had nine sailors in the Top 15 and two of the top five women sailors: Sophie de Leon Urban, in second place, and Sadie Bolton, in fourth place. Carlos Beckmann Zamora was Mexico’s top qualifier, in eighth place, with 110 points.
Give credit where credit is due
The awards ceremony was held at the Paradise Village Hotel Convention Center. Athletes, supervisors, and companions were in attendance, and the winners received their trophies and awards.
Linda Green, the co-chair of the event, expressed her gratitude on behalf of the Board of Directors of the Vallarta Yacht Club for the support provided to make the 2021 North American Optimist Championship a success, even during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“I’m sure everyone went back home praising the Riviera Nayarit, with firm plans to return soon. Thank you all for your support and your confidence in us in organizing a successful event in the current environment,” she said.
Marc Murphy, managing director of the Riviera Nayarit Convention and Visitors Bureau, said: “Nautical tourism is an important source of income for the Riviera Nayarit and this sort of event promotes the beauty and the goodness of our destination. Congratulations to the Vallarta Yacht Club and to all those who made this great event possible.”
The Riviera Nayarit’s Nautical Season
Every season, Mexico’s Pacific Treasure becomes the epicenter of sailing in this country. It is one of Mexico’s top nautical destinations, with an ideal climate, warm temperatures, and constant wind, which produces a good swell. The Riviera Nayarit also has the necessary infrastructure, with modern marinas to accommodate any type of boat, both sport and recreational.
The J70 National Championship was held at the Vallarta Yacht Club’s facilities at the Marina Paradise Village Marina from May 20 to 23rd, prior to the Optinam.
Twenty-three boats with five crew members each participated in this championship, with several world champions and Olympic medalists of more than ten different nationalities among them.
The Wesmex International Small Boat Regatta—considered one of the five regattas of the Mexican Circuit by the Optimist, Laser, Windsurf, and 420 class associations—took place in February. The Vallarta Cup Race Series took place in January, inaugurating the season, with the participation of around 20 sailboats in a friendly competition every Saturday of the month.
The Riviera Nayarit is a safe destination. Our hotels, restaurants, and tourist establishments follow all the health protocols established by the Federal Government’s Ministry of Health and operate at the allowed capacities. Access to the beaches is limited. Be a responsible tourist: wear your mask and keep your distance.
We’re ready!
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The Riviera Nayarit Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) and the Bahía de Banderas Hotel and Motel Association (AHMBB) work tirelessly to collectively promote the region with the support of the Government of the State of Nayarit through its Tourism Promotion Trust (Fiprotur).
