The name fits!
Winner is the most popular Optimist in the world, sailed by more World Champions and more beginners than any other Optimist. The secret to our success, from top to bottom, is quality. For us, it's a happy coincidence that the strength we build into our boats translates equally to better performance and greater durability.
On our webshop you'll find our collection of dinghies and equipment for your sailing needs
A brief History of the Winner Optimist
The foundation for the superior craftsmanship Winner Optimist put forward today was underway in the sixties.
Founded in 1965, as Winner Boats, following the decision by Mr. Henning Wind (bronze medalist at the 1964 Olympics) to end coorperation with his partner in order to fulfil a desire to make the production and development of superior Europe and Optimist dinghies in high quality fiberglass the centre of attention.
A few years later, unfortunately, fire erupted at the original plant at the harbour in Faaborg and consequently the entire production had to be relocated to an entirely new plant at Krogsbjergvej.
Over the years the Winner plant has steadily been expanded with offices area and more space for production and storage. This means that the plant nowadays have evolved into the biggest and most modern production facility for Optimist construction in fiberglass.
During the 70's and 80's the Winner Optimist dinghy was continuously developed and improved through the different marks - each new model improving on the previous marks.
In 1990 the production of Europe-class dinghies was relocated to our sister company in Spain. This led to the entire production at Krogsbjergvej being dedicated to the supreme quality Optimists that is manufactured today. Winner Optimist therefore has 40 years of experience with the building and development of Optimists
Why Winner
See 10 reasons to choose a Winner below
1. Superior Craftsmanship
Winner has been dominating world competition for years, our people are, by far, the most experienced Optimist builders in the World. We have committed ourselves to keeping these master craftsmen right here at Winner by providing the best working environment possible. Each of our craftsmen is a wealth of experience and expertise.
2. Focus and Commitment
Winner builds only one type of boat, the Optimist, and we are totally committed to creating the most perfect Optimist possible. We build more Optimists than any other builder in the World, which gives us the experience to build them better. Our factory and our people are not diluted by other projects; we are singularly focused on one goal: the perfect Optimist Dinghy.
3. Expertise
The people building your Optimist have been doing exactly that for more than 25 years, longer than anyone else. Your local dealer was chosen to represent Winner only after they had demonstrated that they are the most experienced, most qualified performance sailboat shop in your area.
4. No Corners Cut
At Winner, we don't cut corners, ever. We could use less expensive blocks but we use only Frederiksen, Harken and Ronstan, the finest names in the industry. From raw materials to factory systems to hardware, we only use the best, no exceptions.
5. Controlled Construction
Winner Optimists are built in the most controlled environment possible. Because fibreglass boats start life as rolls of cloth and barrels of chemicals, the right climate is critical. Any fluctuations in temperature or humidity have startling effects on the chemical processes that transform buckets of resin and drops of catalyst into the structural components of boats.
6. Eliminate the question mark
We've earned our long standing reputation for quality and performance by ensuring that every boat is built to the same exacting standards. We can achieve truly consistent results because we've engineered every aspect of the Optimist and we have the only temperature and humidity controlled Optimist factory in the world. When you buy a Winner, you'll never have to question if you got a "good boat" or not, every Winner is a great boat. No other manufacturer can promise that level of perfection and consistency. Every time you sail onto the course, you can be positive that you have the best equipment. Period.
7. Manufacturer Support
We're always here to answer your questions and give advice. We are youth sailing experts and we can help you make the right decision on equipment, which regattas to attend and how to get more out of you boats, coaching and sailing program. That support is mirrored at the local level by the finest small sailboat dealers in the world; our local dealer was chosen because they are the very best youth sailing resource in your area.
8. Regatta Support
At the National and International level, you'll find Winner at all major Optimist regattas. We're available to help you with any problems you might have and to help ensure you're regatta experience is easy and hassle free. Plus, we have charters available at most events, which mean you can race the boat you practice in, even if you can't make the drive.
9. Winner is the choice of Champions
No boat in the world has won more titles than Winner!
15 World Championships and 18 European Championships just to name a few. The best sailors in the world leave nothing to chance; they use only the very best equipment from the very best suppliers. The Winner Optimist is, unquestionably, the choice of National and International champions. Your equipment is the one aspect of racing you control completely, give yourself an advantage.
10. Superior value
No Optimist lasts longer or holds its value better than a Winner. After a year or 10 years, a Winner Optimist will look and perform better than the competition.
We offer as the only Optimist builder in the world 5 years guarantee on our hulls.
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