2025 New York State Optimist Championship: A Weekend of Wind, Grit, and Glory
October 29, 2025 – The WaterFront Center, Oyster Bay, NY
What a weekend! On October 25–26, The WaterFront Center proudly hosted the 2025 New York State Optimist Championship, and it was nothing short of spectacular. Nearly 50 young sailors from across the state converged on our docks, rigging boats, hoisting sails, and chasing the breeze in one of the most competitive and joyful junior regattas of the season.
From the first launch on Saturday morning to the final horn on Sunday afternoon, the energy was electric. Crisp fall air, steady Long Island Sound winds, and a fleet of determined Optimist sailors made for two full days of tight racing, smart tactics, and unforgettable moments—both on and off the water.
Meet Your 2025 NYS Opti Champions!
🏆 2025 New York State Optimist Champion
Eliot Fox – CSHBC / LISOT (Red Fleet)
After intense competition across the Red, Blue, and White fleets, here are your top finishers:
🏆 Top Overall
Chloe Dodd – Noroton YC / LISOT (Red)
Hayden Pardi – LISOT / Riverside Yacht Club (Red)
Thomas Alexopoulos – LISOT / Riverside Yacht Club (Blue)
🔥 Red Fleet
Chloe Dodd – Noroton YC / LISOT
Hayden Pardi – LISOT / Riverside Yacht Club
Eliot Fox – CSHBC / LISOT
💙 Blue Fleet
Thomas Alexopoulos – LISOT / Riverside Yacht Club
Leah Goldman – LISOT / Centerport YC
Robinson Fox – CSHBC / LISOT
⚪ White Fleet
Owen Santini – Indian Harbor Yacht Club / LISOT
Hudson Storck – Centerport Yacht Club
Annabelle Buchner – LISOT / Centerport Yacht Club
Special shoutout to LISOT (Long Island Sound Optimist Team) sailors who dominated podiums across all fleets—proof of dedication, coaching, and teamwork!
The Heart of the Event
Beyond the results, this regatta was about growth. We saw first-time racers finish with confidence, veterans mentor rookies on the dock, and parents cheering from the committee boat with coffee in hand. Every capsize was met with a helping hand, every shift in the wind with quick thinking, and every finish line with high-fives and huge smiles.
Our race committee ran flawless courses, safety boats kept a watchful eye, and our shore team kept everyone fueled with snacks and support. This event doesn’t happen without our incredible volunteers—thank you!
Full Results & Photos
Want to relive the action? 👉 View Full Results Here 📸 Photos and a highlight video coming soon to our Instagram and Facebook!
Looking Ahead
To every sailor who raced: You are the future of sailing. Whether you took home a trophy or a new personal best, you showed up, you sailed hard, and you made this community stronger.
Mark your calendars—we can’t wait to do it all again next year. And to our newcomers? Your journey starts here. Keep sailing, keep learning, keep having fun.
Fair winds,
The WaterFront Center Sailing Team
📍 1 West End Avenue, Oyster Bay, NY 📧 sailing@thewaterfrontcenter.org 🌐 www.thewaterfrontcenter.org
P.S. Tag us in your race photos using #NYSOptiChamps — we love seeing your perspective!
