2024 APRIL VIODA News and More!
ZHIK VIC Youth Championships 2024 | Congratulations!
Sorrento Sailing Couta Boat Club hosted the Zhik VIC Youth Sail Coaching Clinic and Championship earlier this month with 45 Optimist sailors participating. A team of 6 Optimist sailors from Qingdao, China also flew in for the championship as part of the VIODA-Qingdao Exchange program. Congratulations to all sailors and biggest thumbs up for the Greenies who trained for 2 days and sailed extremely well on the Sunday, completing all five races. The Victorian Optimists sailed extremely well against the Chinese competitors and triumphantly secured the overall champion for the Optimist category.
Thanks to major sponsor Zhik for the generous prizes and SSCBC for the support given to our Optimist sailors and our association! Thank you!
See full results: https://sailingresults.net/?ID=81754
Australian Optimist Sailing Team (AOST) 2024 | Augustas, Ashlea, Rachael
In January, the 2024 Musto Australian Optimist Championship was held at the Brighton & Seacliff Yacht Club in Adelaide. Based on the rankings from the 2024 Australian Optimist Championships, the Australian International Optimist Dinghy Association (AIODA) selected an Australian Optimist Sailing Team (AOST) consisting of 18 sailors. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Victorians Augustas Buividas, Ashlea Tan, and Rachael Benoy for their outstanding performance, leading to their selection into the Australian teams to compete at international championships! Last week, they also flew into South Australia to train with the AOST at Adelaide Sailing Club, in preparation for:
Ashlea Tan – Optimist European Championship, Italy in June 2024
Rachael Benoy - Optimist Asian & Oceanian Championship, India in Nov 2024
Augustas Buividas - Optimist World Championship, Argentina in Dec 2024
VIODA extends its sincerest well-wishes to these 3 sailors as they embark on their journeys to compete on the global stage. Their dedication, skill, and sportsmanship serve as inspirations to the entire sailing community, and we have every confidence that they will represent Australia with the utmost distinction and honour.
VIODA-Qingdao China Exchange Tour | EOI Closes 30 May
VIODA has an exclusive exchange program with the Chinese Yachting Association where 6 Victorian Opti sailors are selected annually to attend the Qingdao International Optimist Training Camp and Regatta. At the recent Zhik VIC Youths Championship, Qingdao sent a team of 6 Optimist sailors to compete alongside with the Victorians. With only 4 days in Australia, the VIODA families hosted the Chinese sailors, their coach and interpreter to a tour at the Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park and the guests were also treated to an Australian BBQ on Lavender Hills.
Will your sailor be one of the 6 selected to represent Team Victoria at this year’s VIODA-Qingdao Exchange program? The EOI for the 2024 delegation is open and applications are coming in fast! For more information: https://vioda.org.au/opti_events/vioda-china-exchange-tour
VIODA Lake Training | Fully Booked for Blocks 1 & 2
The annual VIODA winter training is back in full swing with close to 45 sailors heading down to sail out of Albert Sailing Club in the winter months! That is a 20% jump in enrolment from last year! With the expertise of the best Victorian coaches at the helm, sailors in the green, intermediate, and open fleets are in for a treat. From honing sailing skills to mastering tactics, each training session is designed to elevate every sailor to new heights. A special program also awaits those gearing up for the regatta in Qingdao, offering tailored training and invaluable insights to prepare for the challenge ahead.
For parents seeking a glimpse into the world of sailing, the clubhouse offers a warm sanctuary with talks ranging from the Qingdao exchange program to navigating the ins and outs of purchasing a first boat. Tips on interstate travel for regattas and guidance on Opti and post-Opti pathways ensure every question finds its answer. There will also be plenty of room for fun and celebration, from Mother's Day to Father's Day, the calendar is brimming with events like teams racing, hot noodle soup days, sausage sizzles, and even a buy/swap/sell day. And don’t forget our funny socks and hats day!
Block 1 and 2 are booked out. Registration will only be available through emails based on fleet availability. Please email us at viodacommittee@gmail.com
Block 3 is still open.
1st Block: May 19, 26 | June 2, 16 (Full Day TEAMS RACING)
2nd Block: July 21, 28 | August 4, 11
3rd Block: August 18, 25 | September 1
More info: https://vioda.org.au/news/vioda-winter-coaching-returns-at-albert-park-lake
Generous Sponsorship | Feeding Our Kids
Welcoming Carman’s Kitchen back onto our sponsorship podium once again! The amazing local business will be supplying healthy muesli bars and protein bars to our VIODA sailors at events through the next 6 months, starting from the lake coaching sessions! We can’t thank them enough for their generous support and love for VIODA and our sailors! Read about their story here: https://carmanskitchen.com.au/our-story/
Do you have a sponsorship contact to share? Share it along with us so we can grow the fleet and make things happen for our sailors!
VIODA Membership | Grow The Fleet
We are excited to assist sailing clubs to grow their International Optimist fleet! It is delightful to welcome new sailors joining the fleets at Albert Sailing Club, Davey’s Bay Yacht Club, Altona Yacht Club and Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron! Let VIODA assist in helping you grow the Optimist fleet at your home club, email us and let’s do this together! Tip: VIODA first year green fleet membership is FREE! Join us here : VIODA Membership - Victorian International Optimist Dinghy Association
Events Calendar | Where and When?
4th May - Sun 5th May - Sail Bellarine, Indented Head Yacht Club
May 19 - Sept 1 - VIODA Winter Coaching at Albert Park Lake
July 12 - July 14 – WinterSail Junior & Youth Coaching Regatta, Albert Park Yacht Club
Information on sailing events: https://vioda.org.au/opti_events
Meet The Sailors | Can we feature your sailor?
VIODA features Optimist sailors from different clubs. Find out more about our little sailors on this page! https://vioda.org.au/about-vioda/meet-the-sailors
All Rounded Communications | Sail more and some more!
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/optimistvic
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vicopti/
Official webpage: www.vioda.org.au
WhatsApp community: https://chat.whatsapp.com/Bw8Qp1O7tbwFP7nxNDQzwk
VIODA Committee 2024/25
