The Optimist South American Championship got underway in Punta del Este on Tuesday, with Argentina’s Tomás Calvo emerging as the early leader after two demanding races in the light winds and shifting currents of Maldonado Bay. A fleet of 180 young sailors representing 12 nations took to the water for the opening day of fleet racing at the 54th edition of the championship, hosted by Yacht Club Punta del Este.
The championship officially launched its racing programme following Monday’s practice race and opening ceremony, with competitors facing a long and taxing first day on the water off Uruguay’s famous resort coast.
Racing unfolded off Playa Mansa, near beach access point 24, between the shoreline and Gorriti Island, in conditions that demanded patience, precision and constant tactical adjustments from the young fleet. Light winds delayed the start by nearly two hours, with the breeze initially blowing from the south before veering towards the southeast and building to a maximum of seven knots.
A strong and changeable current compounded the difficulty, making it exceptionally hard for sailors to maintain consistent performance throughout the day. Reading wind shifts, understanding the current and plotting the best route around the course proved essential skills. Despite the tricky conditions, the Race Committee completed two races, with competition wrapping up at approximately 17:30 local time.
Argentina made a commanding start to the regatta, locking out the top two positions in the overall standings after day one. Tomás Calvo recorded a first and a second-place finish to accumulate just three points and claim the championship lead. His compatriot Tomás Molinari followed closely in second place on five points, also claiming a race victory alongside a fourth-place finish in his other race.
Third place is currently shared by Chile’s Vicente Pérez and Storm Husky Kim of the United States, both sitting on ten points after recording two fifth-place finishes. Argentina’s Francisco Calabrese rounds out the top five on eleven points, tied with Brazil’s Helena Echenique in sixth. Echenique leads the female standings after finishing second and ninth in her two races. Brazil’s Lis Sugai, currently eighth overall on twelve points, also impressed by claiming victory in the second race of the day.
The results underscore the deeply competitive nature of the championship, with several nations already well represented among the leading positions.
Reflecting on his strong opening performance, championship leader Tomás Calvo said: “It was a very long day, with light winds and a current that kept changing, so staying focused was really important. I felt comfortable in these conditions—they have some similarities to what I’m used to sailing in Buenos Aires, but you still have to adapt. Tomorrow, my aim is to stay consistent and give my best.”
With the first two races in the books, the championship continues on Wednesday, 28 October, as the fleet returns to Maldonado Bay. The first warning signal is scheduled for 12:00 local time, with sailors expected to leave the harbour at approximately 10:30.
The championship programme includes up to ten fleet races across four racing days, plus a dedicated day of team racing where national teams will compete in a tactical format that emphasises teamwork and strategy. With the standings tightly bunched and plenty of racing still ahead, consistency will be the defining factor as these young sailors pursue the 2026 Optimist South American Championship title.
The International Optimist Dinghy Association is the governing body of the Optimist class, one of the world’s largest and most internationally recognised youth sailing classes. With more than 60 years of history and over 110 member national associations, IODA promotes youth sailing through international championships, development programmes and the principles of fair competition, friendship and sportsmanship. The Optimist is a strict one-design dinghy for sailors up to 15 years of age and has been the launching pad for generations of competitors, including numerous Olympic and world champions.
