20:00, Thursday 12th February 2026, at home in Glyfada, Greece.
Team OPTIMUM members gathered at Nikos Lazos house for the start of the season Pita Ceremony and discuss possible scenarios for the 33rd OPTIMUM season, since our Carkeek 47 is up for sale. Among lots of food and drinks and long standing Team Optimum member Manos Roudas becoming the lucky one to get the Pita coin in his cake piece, one could sense the will to get our feet wet again for 33rd consecutive year.
“It is kind of hard to plan much due to the uncertainty of the sale process and the absence of budget. Team OPTIMUM members are used to commit to a certain season plan at this time of the year, but this is not the case in 2026. It is good that we have the two OPTIMUM Sailing Academy Dehler 30ods partially available, but it is a totally different proposition. I guess we will have to let the situation roll and make the best out of it. One thing is for sure, the OPTIMUM spirit is present and will guide us through”, says Team OPTIMUM co-founder Periklis Livas.
Team OPTIMUM has based its finances all these years on great sponsors and supporters and a newly formed shipping company, J.H.I. Steamship Co., steps in for 2026 until the boat is sold offering enthusiastically its support that is much needed and welcome. The plan under consideration is to wait until end of April for possible buyers and when May comes and if OPTIMUM S is still available, get her in the water for training and racing, towards competing in Posidonia Cup, a unique high calibre/profile event for entries related to the shipping industry and the Posidonia Exibition.
The good thing is that the boat is in great shape and ready to sail so we can react to any opportunity in limited time.
To be continued…