KEEP your drinks ice cold with an Optimist water bottle! These bright, funky insulated containers are just some of the ultra cool merchandise on sale from 1pm today.

The official merchandise stall will be open all afternoon Thursday and again from Friday morning in Nelson’s Dockyard public carpark.

Other items available include reusable rubber cups. In addition to being super squeezy – which makes them ideal stress-relievers for easing the tension while watching the races – they’re all part of Antigua’s commitment to a green, clean regatta.

Visitors to the stall can also pick up branded hats, T-shirts and rash vests which help you stay cool and protected in the Caribbean sun.

All items are supplied by Coral Reef Sailing Apparel which has kindly sponsored T-shirts for the 65 Antiguan children who will be playing a key role as placard bearers at this Sunday’s opening parade.

The merchandise stall will be open daily throughout the 2019 Optimist World Championship at specific locations to be announced.

It will also be present at the Artisans Antigua Travelling Market at Antigua Yacht Club Marina on July 11 from 5.30pm-8.30pm.

For news and updates on the 2019 Optiworlds, please visit the website – http://2019worlds.optiworld.org