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 News from Around Banderas Bay | July 2007 
Riviera Nayarit Hosts 2nd International Sailing Event of 2007!
 Kathy Taylor - PVNN
| | Running through July 15th, 185 junior sailors, from 19 countries, are competing in the North American Optimist Championships on Banderas Bay. (Jay Ailworth) | 
| | Nayarit Governor Ney Gonzales greets the junior sailors who are competing in the North American Optimist Championships. (Edgar Esparza) | 
| | Mexican Sailing Federation President Ralph Nelles and Governor Ney Gonzales officially opened the event at the Paradise Village Convention Centre. (Edgar Esparza) |
Nuevo Vallarta - Beautiful Banderas Bay is once more the setting for a major international sailing championship. Running through July 15th, 185 junior sailors, aged 11 to 15, from 19 countries, are competing in the North American Optimist Championships.
The event officially opened on Sunday night at the Paradise Village Convention Centre in Nuevo Vallarta with a parade of competitors, an inspiring opening by Nayarit Governor Ney Gonzalez, short speeches, a breathtaking performance by Ballet Mexcaltitan, and at the end of it all, cheers and icy cold paletas.
Led by tiny Nayarit future sailors, the young Opti sailors marched proudly behind their flags into the Convention Centre where they were greeted first by the President of the Organizing Committee, Reynaldo Ambutio. Sr. Ambutio introduced a slide show of the region with the words "one picture says more than a thousand words, but in this presentation more than a thousand pictures say two words: Riviera Nayarit."
He said that he was happy and proud that the IODA Championship was being in Banderas Bay, Riviera Nayarit - the result of enormous effort. He personally recognized the support of the state of Nayarit, Paradise Village, and Vallarta Yacht Club in the successful realization of the event. Finally, he wished the warmest welcome to the young competitors and good sailing full of joy and love.
The Vallarta Yacht Club Director of Junior Sailing, Dan Green, was thanked for his support and effort. Paradise Village and Marina Director General Graciano Sobernigo acknowledged for his support of Optinam 2007.
Next noted was Augusto Pi-Suner A., who is ending his term as President of the Mexican Optimist Class Association with this event. He was applauded for his enthusiasm, dedication, and very hard work. It is said that behind every great man is a great woman, and in this case, that woman is Cathy Ollivier, Secretary and powerhouse of the Organizing Committee, and wife of President Pi-Suner.
The IODA (International Optimist Design Association) Vice President, Jose Quino Nigaglioni, issued words of wisdom and appreciation. He gave thanks to the organizers, sponsors, and officials, saying that their efforts will result in these young sailors becoming better citizens. To the parents in the crowd, he said "you will get rewards beyond your expectations." And to the young sailors, he said, "you are here not because you were picked by your name, but because of your hard work." He hoped that all competitors would take home the "trophy of friendship."
Two sailors from the Mexican contingent spoke on behalf of all the sailors: "We are seeing familiar faces from previous championships, and we are happy to welcome you to Mexico." "Sailing has brought us all together, to have fun, respect each other, and show good sportsmanship on land and sea - I pledge this on behalf of my fellow sailors."
Chants of "Ralph, Ralph, Ralph," preceded the man widely credited with the growth of junior sailing in this country, Mexican Sailing Federation President Ralph Nelles. He greeted the multinational crowd in four languages - French, German, English, and Spanish, first asking "Are you happy?" When the cheers subsided, he went on to say, "I think the main thing is you have to have fun, sail well, and may the best win!"
Governor Ney Gonzalez spent Sunday morning on a large catamaran on Banderas Bay watching the Optinam practice race with his family, friends and a select group of influential media owners - not just reporters. He said he did so with the express intent of promoting sailing in Riviera Nayarit. He likened sailing to political life, saying that it is necessary to have a goal, to be aware of changing environments, and to be creative in finding new ways of using the natural conditions.
He cited the recent success of the J/24 Worlds as a goal for these young sailors, and encouraged them to compete with honor and loyalty.
The Optinam competition continues this week with individual racing on Monday and Tuesday, team (country) competition on Wednesday, a day off Thursday, and individual racing on Friday and Saturday. The competition can be observed from the Paradise Marina breakwater or the beaches of Nuevo Vallarta.
 Kathy Taylor is a world traveler, sailor, writer, and cook. Before coming to Vallarta, she lived and worked in the Arctic for CBC Radio Northern Service and was the editor of Churchill's weekly Taiga Times. For 11 years she was Captain Kate of High Boats Café fame in Vancouver, then went on to spend 5 years as owner/chef of Wild Thyme Catering. After that, she spent four years sailing the Pacific Northwest and the Mediterranean, writing about sailboats and her experiences, as well as editing Bluewater Cruising's monthly magazine, "Currents." Following her love of food, sailing and charitable causes, Kathy continues her writing career here in Vallarta as a valuable member of the BanderasNews Team.
¡La Riviera Nayarit sede del 2o Evento Internacional de Vela de 2007!
Nuevo Vallarta, 8 de Julio de 2007: La hermosa Bahía de Banderas será una vez más el escenario de uno de los más importantes campeonatos internacionales de vela. Del 2 al 15 de Julio, 185 competidores de clase Juvenil, de 11 a 15 años de edad, provenientes de 19 países, estarán compitiendo en el Campeonato Norteamericano de la clase Optimist.
El evento se estrenó oficialmente el Sábado por la noche en el Centro de Convenciones del Paradise Village en Nuevo Vallarta con un desfile de competidores, un entusiasmado discurso inaugural del Gobernador de Nayarit Ney Gonzalez, algunas breves disertaciones, una impresionante ejecución del cuerpo de Ballet de Mexcaltitán, y para cerrar dignamente, aplausos y paletas heladas.
Encabezados por los pequeños futuros navegantes de Nayarit, los jóvenes competidores de la clase Optimist marcharon con orgullo atrás de sus banderas hasta el Centro de Convenciones, donde los esperaba por primero el Presidente de Comité Organizador, Reynaldo Ambutio. El Sr. Ambutio presentó una serie de imágenes de la región con las palabras "una imagen dice más que cien palabras, pero en esta presentación más de mil fotos significan dos palabras: Riviera Nayarit."
También dijo sentirse feliz y orgulloso que el Campeonato IODA tuviera como sede la Bahía de Banderas, en la Riviera Nayarit - todo esto resultado de un enorme esfuerzo. Reconoció personalmente el apoyo del estado de Nayarit, de Paradise Village y del Vallarta Yacht Club en la exitosa realización del evento. En fin, le dio la más calurosa bienvenida a los jóvenes competidores, deseándoles una feliz navegación, llena de alegría y amor.
El Director del Vallarta Yacht Club sector Vela Juvenil, Dan Green, recibió agradecimientos por su apoyo y impulso. Al Director de Paradise Village y General de Marina Graciano Sobernigo se le reconoció el apoyo al Optinam 2007.
Alguien que también se hizo notar fue Augusto Pi-Suner A., quien con este evento está postulando a Presidente de la Asociación Mexicana Clase Optimist. Recibió aplausos por su entusiasmo, dedicación, e intenso trabajo. Se dice que atrás de cada gran hombre hay una gran mujer, y en este caso, la mujer es Cathy Ollivier, Secretaria y centro neurálgico del Comité Organizador, y esposa del Presidente Pi-Suner.
El Vicepresidente de IODA (Asociación Internacional de Diseño Optimist, por su sigla en ingles), José Quino Nigaglioni, utilizó palabras de sabiduría y apreciación. Agradeció a los organizadores, patrocinadores y oficiales, al afirmar que sus esfuerzos estimulan estos jóvenes navegantes a crecer como mejores ciudadanos. A los padres entre el público, dijo: "recibirán recompensas que exceden sus expectativas." Y a los jóvenes navegantes, dijo "no están aquí gracias a su nombre, sino gracias a su duro trabajo". Terminó afirmando que lo que se espera, es que todos los competidores se lleven el "trofeo de la amistad."
Dos navegantes del contingente Mexicano hablaron por todos los demás: "Estamos viendo caras familiares de las pasadas competiciones, y nos alegra darles la bienvenida a México." "La vela nos ha unido a todos, para que haya diversión, respeto para los demás, y buena deportividad por tierra y por mar - esto se lo prometo en nombre de mis compañeros navegantes."
Gritos de "Ralph, Ralph, Ralph," precedieron el hombre a quien se atribuye el crecimiento de la vela juvenil en este país, el Presidente de la Federación Mexicana de Vela, Ralph Nelles. Dio la bienvenida a un público internacional en cuatro idiomas - francés, alemán, inglés, y español, preguntando primero "¿Están felices?" Cuando se acabaron los aplausos, continuó diciendo, "¡Creo que lo más importante es que se diviertan, naveguen bien, y que gane el mejor!"
El Gobernador Ney González pasó la mañana del domingo arriba de un gran catamarán en Banderas Bay observando la carrera de práctica de Optinam con su familia, sus amigos y un grupo seleccionado de propietarios destacados de medios de comunicación - no solamente reporteros. He said he did so with the express intent of promoting sailing in this area. He likened sailing to political life, saying that it is necessary to have a goal, to be aware of changing environments, and to be creative in finding new ways of using the natural conditions.
Citó el reciente éxito del Campeonato Mundial de J/24 como un objetivo para estos jóvenes navegantes, y los animó a competir con honor y lealtad.
La competición Optinam sigue adelante esta semana con regatas individuales lunes y martes, competiciones en equipo (país) el Miércoles, un día de descanso el Jueves, y más carreras individuales Viernes y Sábado. Es posible seguir el torneo desde el rompeolas de la Marina del Paradise o desde las playas de Nuevo Vallarta. |
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