For the first time, the Canadian Optimist Dinghy Championships are coming to Squamish.
Close to 100 sailors from across the country and as far away as Bermuda are set to hit the waters of Howe Sound for the event, which runs from Friday (Aug. 28) until Sept. 4.
Event winners will form the National team that will represent Canada at the 2016 North American, European and World Optimist Dinghy Championships.
Optimist dinghies are known as small, single-handed vessels intended for use by children up to the age of 15. The International Sailing Federation recognizes optimists as an international class.
The regatta at the event has been set up to allow all skill levels to compete, with every sailor being divided into one of three fleets. Green fleet is for sailors in their first year of racing, silver fleet is for sailors with a little more experience and gold fleet is for advanced sailors.
Green and silver fleet races occur in the morning when winds are generally lighters, with gold fleet races occurring in the afternoon when Squamish winds pick up. Only gold fleet sailors are eligible to qualify for the International Team selection process.
Four Squamish sailors are competing on home turf, as Ben Sweeny, Grayson Blain and Adreian Conn are racing in the silver fleet. Lynette Conn hits the water in the green fleet.
The opening ceremonies for the event occur on Sunday (Aug. 30), with races running from Monday to Friday.
The event is free for the public to attend, with Nexen Beach recommended as a viewing area for the races.
For more information on the event, visit www.opticanadians.org.
