Optimists in the Desert — Paracas, Peru
By Sharon Green
It’s not every day you see sails gliding across the edge of a desert. But in Paracas, Peru, where golden dunes spill down to meet the Pacific, that’s exactly what you find — a sight so surreal it almost defies logic. At first glance, it looks like a mirage: a fleet of tiny Optimists skimming along cobalt water under a blazing sky, the sand shimmering in the heat behind them.
The 2023 Optimist South American Championship transformed this stark and spectacular landscape into a playground for 143 young sailors from ten nations. Hosted by the Aranwa Paracas Resort, the event combined thermic winds, tight courses, and dazzling Peruvian hospitality. Brazil’s Arthur Kubelka topped the leaderboard, Team USA claimed the Nations Cup over Puerto Rico, and home‑team Peru edged out Brazil for the South Americans Cup.
Aranwa Paracas Resort, Peru 2023 OSA Championship
Argentine sailing photographer Matías Capizzano was there to capture it all — and through his lens, the contrasts came alive: sand and sea, stillness and motion, youth and intensity. Known for his dynamic storytelling and lifelong connection to the Optimist class, Matías has spent decades chasing the emotion behind junior sailing — that mix of independence, focus, and joy. His images show it instinctively; the light, the texture, and the fleeting moments of determination etched on young faces tell the story better than words ever could.
From the waterline, the desert feels endless. The wind builds as the morning sun heats the dunes, sending a steady afternoon breeze curling across the bay. In conditions like these, there’s no room for hesitation — for sailor or photographer. Shooting here means battling glare, spray, and shifting winds, while trying to hold a frame steady as boats dart across choppy water. But the reward is spectacular: that rare combination of environment and energy that turns a good image into something unforgettable.
2025 Ultimate Sailing Calendar
The November image from the Ultimate Sailing Calendar captures one of those moments — a fleet stretching across the bay, dwarfed by the vast, sculpted dunes beyond. In the companion image below, Optimists carve their way through sun‑flecked waves, sails glowing against the ochre backdrop. Together, they tell a story of resilience and wonder — of kids chasing their dreams in a place that seems made for adventure.
These are the scenes that remind us why we love sailing — and photography — so deeply. It’s not just about the marks or the medals. It’s about discovery: the quiet moments of courage, the breathtaking beauty of nature, and the extraordinary people who bring it all to life, one frame at a time.
