News & Features | ISAF | World Sailing | Official Site : Founding Member Turns 90

News

Latest News
ISAF News
Rankings
ISAF Events
ISAF Sailing World Cup
ISAF Worlds
ISAF Youth Worlds
Special Events
News Search

13 February 2004, 10:16 am

Founding Member Turns 90

Optimist Class News

Viggo JACOBSEN, president of the Optimist Class for it's first eighteen years from 1965 to 1982, celebrates on 13 February his ninetieth birthday in his home club of Aarhus, Denmark.

When founded IODA had just just seven members countries on two continents: by the time Viggo retired in 1982 its had 44 on all six continents and 30 nations at its Worlds!

In that period he had overseen such daring innovations as the introduction of toe-straps, metal spars and, critical for the Class, competitive fibreglass hulls. Throughout he was aided as Class secretary by his wife Edith who sadly died in 2002.

More happily Viggo is a great-grandfather of Charlotte who has already been taken travelling "to visit some of our Optimist friends."

Full history of the Optimist Class is available on the class website at the address below.

Robert Wilkes (As Amended By ISAF News Editor)

E-mail this page
Print this page

Isaf TV

Match Race Germany Preview - Stage 1 AWMRT

Extreme Sailing Series Act 3 Highlights

07 May 13

Highlights from Act 3 of the Extreme Sailing Series in Qingdao, China.

SAP 505 World Championship Day 5 Highlights

03 May 13

Highlights from the fifth and penultimate day of racing at the SAP 505 World Championships in Barbados.

SAP 505 World Championship Day 4 Highlights

03 May 13

Highlights from the fourth day of racing at the SAP 5O5 World Championship in Barbados

SAP 505 World Championship Day 3 Highlights

03 May 13

Highlights from the third day of the SAP 5O5 World Championship in Barbados

SAP 5O5 World Championship Day 2 Highlights

01 May 13

Highlights from the second day of racing at the SAP 5O5 World Championship in Barbados

SAP 5O5 World Championship Day 1 Highlights

01 May 13

Highlights from the first day of racing at the SAP 505 World Championship in Barbados

Big Racing Day In Palma

06 Apr 13

Final Series Stirs Things Up In Palma

05 Apr 13

The fleets are getting down to business at ISAF Sailing World Cup Palma - Princess Sofia MAPFRE. Some great highlights from the fourth day where the leader boards were stirred up a bit.

Light Palma Winds Tighten Things Up

04 Apr 13

The light wind on the third day of ISAF Sailing World Cup Palma - Princess Sofia MAPFRE was tricky for the sailors but the scores are tight at the midway point of the regatta.

Sailors Taken To Their Limits In Palma

03 Apr 13

Sailors are being taken to the limits at ISAF Sailing World Cup Palma - Princess Sofia MAPFRE with challenging conditions prevalent. Check out highlights from the second day.

Wild Wind And Wicked Waves Test Sailors In Palma

02 Apr 13

The first day of racing at ISAF Sailing World Cup Palma - Princess Sofia MAPFRE tested the sailors with big winds and some big waves. Check out highlights of the opening day

Alpari World Match Racing Tour Explain What Match Racing Is All About

28 Mar 13

The Alpari World Match Racing Tour explain what match racing is all about

TP52 Worlds - Day 5 Highlights

11 Mar 13

Highlights from the final day of the TP52 World Championship in Miami, USA.

TP52 Worlds - Day 4 Highlights

09 Mar 13

TP52 Worlds - Day 3 Highlights

08 Mar 13

The third day of racing at the 2013 TP52 Worlds was postponed due to light winds which allowed some extra curricular activities for the host...

TP52 Worlds - Day 2 Highlights

07 Mar 13

Highlights from the second day of racing at the TP52 World Championship in Miami, USA.

TP52 World Championship - Day 1 Highlights

06 Mar 13

Highlights from the first day of the TP52 World Championship in Miami, USA.

2013 RS:X Worlds - Day 2 Highlights

05 Mar 13

Highlights from the second day of racing at the 2013 RS:X Worlds in Buzios, Brazil

TP52 World Championship Preview

04 Mar 13

Preview to the 2013 TP52 World Championship set to be held in Miami from 5 to 9 March.

More ISAF TV

Latest News

Double For Caol Ila R In Capri

Rolex Capri Sailing Week/Volcano Race 2013

24 May 13

The third edition of the Rolex Capri Sailing Week Volcano Race concluded with the final prizegiving ceremony today at the docks in Capri's Marina Grande. During the ceremony, the crew of Alexander Schaerer's Caol Ila R (USA) received the week's most coveted prize - the Rolex Trophy and Rolex timepiece - awarded to the overall winner of the event on IRC.

KPMS

America's Cup Regatta Director Presents Safety Recommendations

34th America's Cup

23 May 13

Structural reviews of AC72 boats and wings, a 10-knot lower wind limit (23 knots maximum) and enhanced sailor safety equipment are among the 37 recommendations issued today to increase safety during the Summer of Racing at the 2013 America's Cup.

Tim Jeffery

Coaches Develop In Fiji

ISAF Technical Courses For Coaches

22 May 13

The National Sailing Centre, Suva, Fiji successful hosted an ISAF Level 1 Technical Course for Participation oriented Coaches on behalf of the Fiji Yachting Association from 13 - 19 May.

ISAF

Delta Lloyd Regatta Gets Off To Wet Start

Delta Lloyd Regatta

22 May 13

It was one of those days when you dream of a good log fire and a captivating book but despite the rain and cold, the sailors put on all the warmest gear to start the first races of the 2013 Delta Lloyd regatta.

Delta Lloyd Regatta

Early End To 2013 Delta Lloyd North Sea Regatta

Delta Lloyd - North Sea Regatta

21 May 13

The last day of the Delta Lloyd North Sea Regatta 2013 showed a repeat of last year, when a persistent sea fog made an early end to the competition. This time it was a lack of wind that happened to be the game breaker.

Marjolein Brandt