The Yacht Club de Monaco will host the 14th Monaco Optimist Team Race from 14th to 18th January, bringing together 60 young sailors under 14 from 12 nations to compete in one of the most high-profile events in the Optimist sailing class.
Launched in 2010, the event has established itself as a proving ground for the next generation of world-class sailors, with a format that emphasises teamwork, tactical thinking and performance under pressure. Fifteen teams of four will contest over 150 match races from Wednesday’s opening ceremony through Sunday’s finals.
International competition
The event’s prestigious track record demonstrates its ultra-competitive nature. Switzerland dominated early editions through entries from Société Nautique de Genève and Gstaad Yacht Club, before Germany, Finland, Turkey and Monaco added their names to the winners’ list.
American teams claimed victory in 2020 and 2022, while Croatia’s JKU Deep Blue caused a major upset in 2023, confirming that each edition brings revelations and new talent to the forefront.
The competition serves as a breeding ground for future champions, with many participants going on to distinguish themselves beyond the Optimist class as they progress through their sailing careers.
Team racing format
What distinguishes the Monaco Optimist Team Race is its head-to-head team racing format, inspired by the America’s Cup, where each team competes directly against opposing teams rather than racing individually.
Communication, reading water conditions and maintaining composure under pressure are essential. There are no individual heroes—sailors must think, act and maneuver as a cohesive unit.
The format proves character-building for young competitors who learn quickly that success depends on collective decision-making and coordinated tactics rather than solo performance.
Pre-competition training
Before entering competition, teams participate in the annual International Clinic from 12 to 14 January, supervised by Chris Atkins. With 45 years of team racing experience, Atkins is a three-time British National Team Race Championship winner who coached Team Great Britain to gold at the first ISAF Team Race World Championship.
Atkins also served as president of selectors for the British Olympic sailing team for Beijing and London, and works as a World Sailing umpire and judge.
The three-day clinic allows contestants to fine-tune tactics, hone skills and fully understand the nuances of this demanding racing format before the opening ceremony on Wednesday 14 January.
Racing begins at 11am on Thursday 15th January, with teams progressing through round robin qualifiers before reaching the finals over the four-day competition period.
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Photo source: YCM