Argentina’s Tomas Calvo Takes Early Lead at the 54th Optimist South American Championship

Argentina’s Tomas Calvo emerged as the early leader of the 54th Optimist South American Championship after two demanding races on Tuesday in the waters of Maldonado Bay, Uruguay. Light winds and challenging currents tested the tactical skills and concentration of the 180 young sailors representing 12 nations.

Hosted by Yacht Club Punta del Este, the championship officially began its fleet racing programme following Monday’s practice race and opening ceremony, with competitors facing a long and demanding first day on the water.

Challenging Conditions in Maldonado Bay

Racing took place off Playa Mansa, near beach access point 24, between the shoreline and Gorriti Island, in conditions that required patience, precision and constant tactical adjustments.

Light winds delayed the start of racing by nearly two hours, with the breeze initially blowing from the south before shifting towards the southeast and reaching a maximum of seven knots.

Combined with a strong and changing current, these conditions made it particularly difficult for sailors to maintain consistent performance throughout the day. Reading the wind shifts, understanding the current and finding the best course around the racecourse proved essential.

Despite the challenging conditions, the Race Committee successfully completed two races, with the day’s competition concluding at approximately 17:30 local time.

2026 South American Optimist Championship. Yacht Club Punta del Este, Uruguay / © Matias Capizzano

Argentina Leads the Standings After Two Races

Argentina made a strong start to the championship, securing the top two positions in the overall standings after the opening day.

Tomás Calvo (ARG) took the early lead with an impressive performance, recording a first and a second-place finish to accumulate just three points.

His compatriot Tomás Molinari (ARG) followed closely in second place with five points, also claiming a race victory and finishing fourth in his other race.

Third place is currently shared by Vicente Pérez of Chile and Storm Husky Kim of the United States, both on ten points after recording two fifth-place finishes.

Argentina’s Francisco Calabrese completes the top five with eleven points, tied on points with Brazil’s Helena Echenique, who occupies sixth place and leads the female standings after finishing second and ninth in her two races.

Brazil’s Lis Sugai, currently eighth overall with twelve points, also delivered a strong performance, claiming a race victory in the second race of the day.

The results highlight the highly competitive nature of the championship, with several nations already represented among the leading positions.

Reflecting on the demanding conditions and his strong opening performance, championship leader Tomás Calvo of Argentina 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.”

2026 South American Optimist Championship. Yacht Club Punta del Este, Uruguay / © Matias Capizzano

Racing Continues on Wednesday

With the first two races completed, the championship continues on Wednesday, 28 October, as the fleet returns to Maldonado Bay for another day of competition.

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, alongside a dedicated day of team racing, where national teams will compete in a tactical format that emphasises teamwork and strategy.

With the standings still closely contested and plenty of racing ahead, consistency will be key as the young sailors continue their pursuit of the 2026 Optimist South American Championship title.

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