The Optimist South American Championship scheduled to be held in Argentina this month has been postponed because of the Covid-19 virus pandemic.

Regatta organisers today advised the International Optimist Dinghy Association of the Argentina sports minister’s decision to suspend all sporting events being held during March.

”Today, the IODA received notice through the Organisers of the Optimist South American Championship that the Minister of Sports from the Ministry of Tourism and Sports in Argentina has made the decision to suspend tournaments, competitions, preparatory tours and/or sporting events to be held for the month of March in Argentina,” read an IODA statement posted on the regatta’s website.

“Unfortunately, this decision affects the 2020 Optimist South American Championship that was to be held in Mar del Plata, Argentina from March 21 to 28.

“As a result, with the support of IODA, the Organisers have no option but to postpone the event until a later date. IODA will be working with the organisers on possible dates while continuing to monitor the Covid-19 situation and report back to our members of any new dates for the championship.

“We apologise to all sailors looking forward to competing in the SAMS next week. We hope to see you all at the rescheduled Championship later in the year.

“IODA will also keep our Members informed of any other developments with respect to IODA events taking place later this year as we closely monitor the Covid-19 situation going forward.”

The development arrives just days after the Bermuda Optimist Dinghy Association announced the island’s team of ten comprising Christian Ebbin, Magnus Ringsted, PJ Rodrigues, Kipling Rossouw, Laura Hupman, Amelia Lewis, Ava Adams, Rachael Betschart, Sophia Dias and Ethan Thompson.

Ebbin, Ringsted, Hupman, Betschart, Rossouw, Adams and Lewis are all surviving members from Bermuda’s team that competed at the Optimist South American Championship in Algarrobo, Chile, last year, while Thompson is making his debut at an IODA event.