08/01/2026
2026 OPTIMIST US NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS 2026: July 28-August 1 CCSC’s Red, White and Blue Opti team traveled to Beach Haven, New Jersey to attend the USODA Optimist National Championship (as well as Girls Nationals for sailor Sage), a first for almost all members of the team.
The week started off with heavy winds- a challenge our team took on with stride, no strangers to breeze thanks to Coach Mateo. As Sage was challenged against the best girls in the country at Girls Nationals, the team practiced in the new venue on Tuesday, with Sage achieving her goal of qualifying for Team Trials and achieving a top 30% score following in Austin’s footsteps earlier this month.
The team all rigged for heavy winds on Day 1, competing against the best of the best sailors around the country (and beyond) for four days straight, eventually splitting off into Gold and Silver fleets. Our sailors put in their very best efforts, all showing competitive spirit to the very end (“I’m really tired, but I’m going to do EVEN BETTER today, said Carderock on the last morning— and he did!).
Three of our sailors, including Sasha, Sage and Austin (for the second time!) qualified for Team Trials during this event (all achieving better than top 50% scores) but all of our sailors showed up with perseverance through heavy winds, ripped sails, protests and more and are even more fired up for a great season of sailing in Florida (and beyond) starting up again in just a couple of weeks!
Thanks as always to Coach Mateo for battling long hot days, tired kids and always giving your all as a coach, Veteran Opti sailor Henry for your assistant coaching and to the parents who consistently give the kids the opportunity to pursue sailing in new venues! Here’s to a GREAT season ahead (and looking forward to coming back to the Jersey Shore for Team Trials!)
