'Six For Five' Optimists To Paraguay

The IODA grant programme continues, in fact 13 new Optimists have been acquired with the help of a “12 for 10” grant by IODA and the donation of an additional boat by builders Shanghai Far East.

They will be sailed at the C.N. San Bernadino on Lake Ypacarai and the intention is to extend junior sailing, especially to families new to sailing, by arranging transport from a number of schools in the capital city Asuncion. The project has the enthusiastic support of the National Olympic Council and has been achieved with the invaluable help of Flavio Naveira IJ, IU from neighbouring Argentina.

Pictured is the first regatta held at the end of August to celebrate the arrival of the new boats. 21 sailors took part including nine “rookies”. The USA sail letters reflect a very kind donation of racing sails by the USA team at this year’s IODA South Americans, a gift marked by the presence of the USA ambassador to Paraguay Liliana Ayalde.

IODA has several other “6 for 5” projects at the planning stage and further applications are invited from qualifying organisations see: www.optiworld.org/develop