Opti Race Team 2026

The Optimist Race Team is the first step in the Minnetonka Race Team progression, and the next step for Opti Learn to Race sailors ages 8 – 15. Sailors must be recommended by their coach prior to joining the Opti Race Team. Sailors should expect a fun and competitive environment to improve their sailing skills.

Sailors will be split into Development Team and Championship (RWB) Team members at the discretion of the Head Coach and Race Director at the beginning of each new season (spring/summer/fall/winter). Development and Champ Team sailors will work together often, but will be split at practices according to these skill groups for more focussed small team training.

General Program Info & Expectations:

Sailors will continually work to improve their skills, focusing on upwind and downwind boat speed, starting, mark roundings, boat handling, understanding of the rules, rigging techniques specific to racing Optis, and much more.

Opti Champ (RWB) Team sailors are expected to attend all local and regional regattas for which they are available. Opti Development Team sailors are encouraged to attend local and regional regattas for which they are eligible.
Opti Champ Team sailors are expected to be members of Minnetonka Yacht Club and participate in weekly racing through the club on Sunday nights at 6:15pm. Opti Development Team sailors are encouraged to participate as well. There will be 3 races per evening, with an informal grill out and games with sailors and parents prior to the start of races. Register for MYC Opti races here
- 2025 MYC Opti Champ Race Dates: 5/31, 6/7, 6/14, 6/21, 6/28, 7/12, 7/19
  - For a detailed schedule, including non-champ-series MYC Opti races, please check the MYC website and 2026 MYC Annual Program.
Registration fees cover the cost of practice, not regattas. Travel expenses incurred by LMSS and/or LMSS coaches during regattas are charged back to the LMSS sailors who attended the regatta. Ex. hotel fees, truck mileage/gas, and coach meals.
Scroll down to view the full 2025 Opti Race Team Calendar

Prerequisite: Opti Learn to Race

Next steps: X Boat Race Team, C420/Laser Learn to Race, Middle School Sailing

Spring Opti Race Team

Spring Opti Race Team practices are held on Mondays and Fridays from 4:30pm to 7:00pm, and Sundays from 2pm to 6pm. Sailors must be rigged and dressed for sailing by 4:50pm on M/F and by 2:30pm on Sundays. You may choose to do one, two, or all three practice per week. Practices begin April 13th and end May 29th.

Practices

Mondays: 4/13, 4/20, 4/27, 5/4, 5/11, 5/18
Fridays: 4/17, 4/24, 5/1, 5/8, 5/15, 5/22, 5/29
Sundays: 4/19, 4/26, 5/17

Regattas & Clinics

Opti Fun Regatta @ LMSS: Sunday, May 31st, 10am-4pm

Sessions & Cost

Monday Practices = $310
Friday Practices = $360
Sunday Practices = $155
Opti charter included
- Boat ownership is highly encouraged!

Coaching Staff

Samuel, Gordy

Summer Opti Race Team

Summer Opti Race Team practices are held Monday-Friday from 8:30am to 12:00pm. Note: this is a change from having afternoon practices in 2025! Sailors must be rigged and dressed for sailing by 9:15am. Practices begin June 8th and end August 8th.

There will NOT be Opti Race Team practice during Friday TCYS regattas.

Regattas & Clinics

Twin Cities Youth Sailing (TCYS) Regattas — Great for beginner & experienced sailors!
- June 12-13 Midwest Skifffest @ Wayzata Sailing
- Manitou Days, June 26th @ White Bear Sailing School
- Shino Adventure Regatta, July 10th @ Wayzata Sailing
- City of Lakes, July 17th @ Minneapolis Sailing Center
- Mike Plant, July 31st @ Wayzata Sailing
- Brad Robinson Victory Regatta, August 7th @ LMSS
Regional & National Regattas
- USODA Great Lakes Championship: June 13-14 @ Chicago Yacht Club
  - Qualifier for 2027 Team Trials
- GLSS Opti Dinghyfest: July 8-9 @ Geneva Lake Sailing School
- 2026 ILYA Optimist Championship: July 24-26 @ Clear Lake YC
- 2026 US Opti Girls National Championship, July 28th, Little Egg YC, New Jersey
- 2026 US Opti Nationals, July 29-August 1st, Little Egg YC, New Jersey
- ILYA Optimist Red, White and Blue Chip: August 6-8 @ La Belle YC

Sessions & Cost

Session 1 (June 8th - July 10th): Training Block for GLSS Dinghyfest: $1,380
Session 2 (July 13th - August 7th): Training Block for Inlands & Nationals: $1,320
Charter an Opti from LMSS for $150/session
- Boat ownership is highly encouraged!

Coaching Staff

Opti Championship Team: PRO Coach — More info coming soon!
Opti Development Team: TBD
Part time Opti Race Team coaches: Samuel Bartel & Gordy Bowers
Guest Coaches: TBD

Fall Opti Race Team

Fall Opti Race Team practices are held on Mondays and Fridays from 4:30pm to 7:00pm, and Sundays from 2pm to 6pm. Sailors must be rigged and dressed for sailing by 4:50pm on M/F and by 2:30pm on Sundays. You may choose to do one, two, or all three practices per week. Practices begin August 31st and end October 25th.

Mondays: 8/31, 9/14, 9/21, 9/28, 10/5, 10/12, 10/19
Fridays: 9/4, 9/11, 9/18, 9/25, 10/2, 10/9, 10/16, 10/23
Sundays: 9/20 (full day?), 10/4, 10/18

Regattas & Clinics

Opti Training Regatta @ LMSS: September 13th
2026 Optimist Midwest Championship : September 26-27 @ Geneva
- Qualifier for the 2027 USODA Team Trials
LMSS Halloween Regatta: October 25th

Sessions & Cost

Monday Practices = $360
Friday Practices = $410
Sunday Practices = $155
Opti charter included
- Boat ownership is highly encouraged!

Coaching Staff

Samuel Bartel and Gordy Bowers

Winter Opti Race Team

Winter Opti Race Team events are primarily clinics and regattas in Florida. Participation from at least 6 LMSS sailors is necessary to make the winter circuit viable. LMSS would load up 6-8 Optis on the LMSS truck in early January. The truck, coach boat, and Optis will be driven South to Florida for the winter regatta circuit.

Coach Samuel has a partnership with the DN North American Class to act as the organization’s Junior Director. This allows some LMSS sailors also have the opportunity to try out ice sailing. When the ice conditions on Lake Minnetonka are safe, Samuel gives free lessons and rides on Ice Optis, Nites, and DNs. Visit DN North America and contact Samuel to learn more!

Winter Regatta & Clinic Circuit - TBD

TBD - 2026 Allstate Sugar Bowl Optimist Midwinter Championship: likely Thanksgiving weekend November 27-30, 2025
TBD - Orange Bowl International Youth Regatta @ Coral Reef Yacht Club: likely December 26-30, 2025
TBD - Valentines Day Regatta @ St. Petersburg Yacht Club: likely February 7-8, 2026
TBD - Sunshine State Championship @ US Sailing Center Martin County: likely March 7-8, 2026

Sessions & Cost

Cost TBD

Coaching Staff

2026 Optimist Race Team Calendar

For iCal users, copy this address: https://calendar.google.com/calendar/ical/c_fe2bb5a1105ade8e1dcbe8fa14633179480c55e768dd6e2e6656fe91f00f7780%40group.calendar.google.com/public/basic.ics

202 Optimist Race Team Coaching Staff

Head Champ Coach TBD

More info coming soon!
Head Green Coach TBD

More info coming soon!
Gordy Bowers

Gordy is a genuine sailing legend. He is a highly respected coach and sailor with a lifetime of experience at the highest levels of the sport. A former Olympic sailor and coach, he has dedicated his career to developing top-tier athletes and fostering a deep understanding of racing strategy, boat handling, and sail trim. Gordy has worked with sailors across a wide range of classes, from dinghies to keelboats, and has been instrumental in shaping the next generation of competitive sailors on Lake Minnetonka.
Samuel Bartel

Samuel is the Race Director at LMSS, bringing a wealth of experience across a diverse range of sailing classes. From dinghies like the C420, FJ, and ILCA 6 & 7 to high-performance keelboats such as the Melges 24, J70, and Ultimate 20, he has sailed and competed in dozens of different classes of sailboat. An avid match racer and passionate DN iceboat sailor, Samuel loves to be challenged and to coach sailors in the Minnetonka community.