The event will take place from 26 June to the 4 July and will gather 400 athletes aged between 11 and 13, along with their coaches.
With participants coming from over 60 countries, this competition is second only to the Olympic games in terms of the number of nationalities involved.
Vilamoura boasts an extensive range of facilities and infrastructures that are necessary to hold international events including Europe’s leading marina, a wide range of accommodation, gastronomy, sports facilities and outstanding weather.
The impact of the Optimist World Championship goes beyond sailing and sailing enthusiasts but provides benefits across society, in the areas of economics, education, healthy living, social diversity and innovation.
The competition is organised by the Marina de Vilamoura International Club with the support of the Portuguese Optimist Class Association (APCIO), under the authority of the International Optimist Dinghy Association (IODA) and has full backing from Vilamoura World. The final test event (The Vilamoura World Cup) occured between the 16 to 19 June.
Isolete Correia, Director of the Vilamoura Marina, stated: “It is a great honour for Vilamoura to host such an important and prestigious event. The Optimist World Championship will attract hundreds of sportspeople, their teams, families, friends and fans to the Algarve”.
The Marina director believes that Vilamoura possesses the ideal conditions for hosting this event, not only because of its exceptional conditions for nautical sports, but also because Vilamoura offer a variety of choice.
Paul Taylor, President of Vilamoura World, adds, “To attract this kind of event to Vilamoura is one of the main missions of Vilamoura World. Hosting this prestigious sailing competition is a direct result of Vilamoura’s ability to provide the facilities and infrastructures that are necessary for large events. We are confident that Vilamoura will provide athletes, teams, families and the general public an unforgettable social and sports experience.”
Further information about the event at: http://www.optimistworlds2016.com/