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Europeans 2020 Rescheduled With Slovenia As Host

Jadralnu Klub Pirat selected as new venue


Historic news from the IODA circuit as Slovenia has been announced as host for the rescheduled 2020 IODA European Championship. This marks the first regatta that has come back after the slew of cancellations, postponements, and host drop outs since Covid19 halted the competitive sailing circuit worldwide.

Many are welcoming this move as this gives a fresh air of normalcy and hope of an early return of the circuit. However, there is still much concern about the viability of events at this time since the covid19 pandemic continues worldwide. Much is still unknown about the long term effects of the virus and organizers are preparing contingencies against a second wave later in the fall.

Full Press Release Below

Slovenia Selected to Host the 2020 Europeans

The IODA Executive Committee is happy to announce that Slovenia has been selected to host the 2020 European Championship.
The host venue of the championship will be the Jadralni Klub Pirat in Portoroz, Slovenia.  The bid is supported by our member and MNA, the Slovenian Sailing Federation and is scheduled to take place October 18 to 25th. 
With the effects of COVID-19 on travel, the central European location will enable teams to drive to the championship and minimize the need for traveling by air to the event if possible.  Slovenia has successfully controlled the spread of COVID-19 since the outbreak and continues to do so with minimal cases being reported each day.  The Slovenian borders are currently open to several European countries.
Slovenia is not new to hosting IODA Championships. The Optimist European Championship has been hosted in Slovenia two times in the history of the class, in Piran in 1997 and again in 2009 in Portoroz.
The Jadralnu Klub Pirat is also no stranger to hosting large Optimist sailing events.  For over 25 years they have hosted their Easter Regatta which has grown into one of the most important Optimist Regattas in this part of Europe.  Each year it has grown in numbers for sailors between 7 and 15 years of age.  In 2018 there were 521 sailors from 14 countries and 150 sailing clubs in attendance for the 3-day event.  Their focus has been on keeping the Opti experience fun both on and off the water. 
The club has a strong emphasis on youth sailing in the Optimist, 420, and 29er classes. In 2019 they hosted the 470 Junior World Championships.  IODA is confident that our European Championship is in good hands as one of the primary goals of the club is to “develop knowledgeable youth dinghy sailors and racers”.
The planning of the event will start immediately.   We will publish the NOR in the next few weeks that will provide key online entry dates, entry and charter boat fees, as well as other important information.
IODA would like to thank the Jadralni Klub Pirat and the Slovenian Sailing Federation for coming forward during these challenging times of COVID-19 with the offer to host the 2020 European Championship.
We look forward to working with the Organizers over the coming months in the planning and delivery of this very important IODA Championship. 

IODA Press Release June 18, 2020
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