20th Edition of Sint Maarten Budget Marine Optimist Championship Gets Underway on Simpson Bay
Simpson Bay, Sint Maarten – 11/27/2025 – It was a sunny and breezy Thursday afternoon on Simpson Bay for race competitors to start the 2025 Sint Maarten Budget Marine Optimist Championship. Hosted by the Sint Maarten Yacht Club (SMYC) day one of four was practice day, giving the sailors a chance to dial in their boats and skills, and to see a bit of what the rest of the Championship weekend will look like.
In this 20th edition of the event, 34 competitors from Antigua, Curaçao, Guadeloupe, Saint Martin, Sint Maarten, Saint Barths, and St Kitts & Nevis took to the bay’s beautiful aquamarine waters and not only got to practice against one another, but also against 20-plus knots of easterly wind.
Photo: Laurens Morel – Saltycolours.com
After sailing out of the Simpson Bay Bridge, racing action started at 2:30 p.m. for the Championship and Benjamin fleets, followed by the Green fleet at 2:35. Two practice races were held, and the big breeze had kids flying around the race course while also causing a few capsizes, which no doubt created some learning moments for those that took a swim.
Racing concluded shortly after 4 p.m. and it was time for the parade of boats and opening ceremonies. To the cheers of spectators on the SMYC deck, competitors were towed in through the bridge single file flying their country’s colors and waving proudly. It was truly a special way to kick off the event!
Photo: Laurens Morel – Saltycolours.com
Friday and Saturday will be full days of competition with racing starting at 9 a.m. and finishing in the afternoon. Sunday morning is the final day of racing and will be followed by prize giving and the closing ceremony at 2 p.m. at the SMYC Restaurant & Bar.
Sponsored by Budget Marine, the Optimist Championship’s format provides an exciting venue for youth sailors to compete against one another and make good on all the hard work they’ve put in at their home clubs. It will be fun to see how the next few days unfold on the water and who comes out on top.
The Sint Maarten Budget Marine Optimist Championship features multiple fleets for Optimist sailors, including the competitive Championship Fleet as well as fleets designed to encourage beginners and developing sailors. Beyond the racing, participants and families get to enjoy a vibrant social program, hospitality at SMYC, and the warm welcome that Sint Maarten is known for.
Photos: Laurens Morel – Saltycolours.com
Full event details can be found at www.smyc.com/optimist-championship.