Welcome to our Brand New Updated Site!
Apply to Join the S1D Team

Search the Site

Five people wearing matching white 'USA' shirts stand in shallow ocean water, holding hands and raising their arms, splashing water joyfully. Boats and distant islands are visible in the background.

Worlds Team USA Wins 2018 International Optimist Team Race Regatta

byTom Sitzmann
Five people wearing matching white "USA" shirts stand in shallow ocean water, holding hands and raising their arms, splashing water joyfully. Boats and distant islands are visible in the background.

Matias Capizzano photo

Thursday, June 14 2018,   St. Thomas, USVI   — Coached by Pilo Rocha, the 2018 USODA Worlds Team of Stephan Baker, Peter Foley, Ryan Satterberg, Thommie Grit, and Tommy Sitzmann just topped 12 other teams and won the Team Race portion of the International Optimist Regatta, held in St. Thomas, USVI. International Optimist team race regattas are 4-on-4 events (whereas high school & college team racing is 3-on-3). The course is usually a “digital-N” (see diagram) and this regatta was the first chance for the US World team to work together. With 5 sailors, they have the ability to try different combinations, and all 5 Team USA sailors sailed in this event  to help secure the win.A schematic diagram with black triangle-shaped diodes and red circular or oval connection points, arranged in a zigzag pattern, forming a basic electronic circuit.

The TOTE Maritime International Optimist Regatta Team Race in St. Thomas, USVI was comprised of thirteen teams of five sailors. As the wind picked up to 8-12 knots the weather became perfect for team racing, which was aided by flat water in making it a great day. In a close race, the 2018 IOR Team Race Championship Title came down to a best of three races between two USA Stylized sailboat logo with a red and blue sail above the text: "2018 Fall S1D Optimist Stars Clinic Registration Click Here!.teams-USA World Team (Stephan Baker, Peter Foley, Thommie Grit, Ryan Satterberg and Tommy Sitzmann) and Team Invisacrox (Nico Garcia-Castrillon, Spencer Dominguez, Kevin Gosselin, Truman Rogers, Kurt Stuebe). The USA World Team clinched the title, giving the United States wins for three consecutive years. “The team worked well together with good communication during each leg of the races. This is the first time these sailors raced as a team.“ USA World’s Coach, Pilo Rocha of Lauderdale YC said, “I was pleased with their performance and I look forward to working with them as they train for The 2018 World Optimist Championship in Limassol, Cyprus.”

Young sailors in small sailboats race on blue water under a sunny sky. The closest sailor, wearing a "Team USA" life jacket, navigates a boat labeled "McLaughlin." Other boats and a coastal town are visible in the background.

Matias Capizzano photo

Conditions so far in St. Thomas have been outstanding, and the fleet racing portion of the event is set to begin Friday, June 15. For updates check our the IOR Facebook page! Photos by Mattias Cappizzano; Please check out Capizzano photos for some outstanding shots!
1st Place:   USA World 1
2nd Place:  Invisicrox
3rd Place:   ISV1

A detailed tournament bracket titled "2018 IQR Team Race," showing multiple teams progressing through various flights and rounds, with color-coded paths indicating winners and losers, leading to a final match and a champion.

Matias Capizzano photosSix people in matching USA shirts and patriotic shorts stand in a circle, holding an American flag above them and looking down at the camera. The flag and their clothing feature red, white, and blue stars and stripes.

Aerial view of numerous small sailboats and kayaks arranged on a sandy shore near white tents and palm trees, with brown water at the bottom of the image. People are scattered throughout the beach area.

  • Logo of the International Snipe Class featuring a red bird flying over a white sailboat and a blue globe, with
  • Blue rectangular logo featuring the letters
  • A circular logo with
  • Logo featuring a stylized black sailboat above the words
  • A red flag with a horizontal blue stripe and a white circle in the center. Inside the circle, the number
  • Blue logo with the text
  • Blue logo with a stylized sail and wave, next to the text
  • Logo with stylized red parallel lines forming a dynamic
  • Ad for World Cup Supply custom sailing pinnies. Features logo, highlights 100% dye sublimated, any color combo, any design, 4-way stretch, low minimums. Contact: 800-555-0593, info@worldcupsupply.com, worldcupsupply.com.