The third annual Sint Maarten Optimist Sailing Championships that took place on Saturday 13th October showed an increasingly high level of sailing ability as 17 youth sailors from Sint Maarten and Anguilla sailed a series of 7 races in the Simpson Bay Lagoon. This was the Anguilla Youth Sailing Club’s (AYSC) second time attending this regatta.

Race in progress

The event was sponsored by Sol, the suppliers of fuels, lubricants and gases who have given youth sailing ongoing support over the years. The AYSC Team was also sponsored by Johnno’s Beach Stop and Banana Boat Picnic Tours who, for the second year, provided his boat Fish Hunter, to transport the team, chaperones and the club boats to St. Maarten. The boat also served as a great venue for spectators to watch the races at close range. Special thanks are also extended to Captain Raymond for his second volunteer voyage with the Anguilla team.

The sailors were split into two fleets - gold and silver, the top sailors into gold and the newer sailors into silver. The gold fleet winner was Stephen Looser who has won this event since it’s inception but who only just scraped by on this occasion. He was one point ahead of Zoe Pfeiffer from Switzerland and the last race made the difference. Third place went to Jolyon Ferron who lost his lunch time lead of two points in the afternoon. Fourth place went to Kendal Richardson of Anguilla who is likely to be a strong contender in the future.

Participants of the Sailing Championships

The Silver fleet was won by Ethan “Rumple” Lloyd of North Hill, Anguilla, followed by Max Hootsmans of St Maarten and third was Michael Curtis of Anguilla. Other Anguillian sailors included Noah Gumbs and Marco Piazzi who both sailed well and had a great time.

The upcoming young Anguillian sailors are products of the training programs of the Anguilla Youth Sailing Club and this regatta saw a number of younger and newer faces who are currently being trained by the club coach and sailing teacher Ryan Kuja. The AYSC offers sailing lessons to all children on Anguilla and more information can be obtained by calling 584-SAIL (7245) or by visiting www.sailanguilla.com. Anguilla will be hosting its second annual Optimist Regatta in February 2008 in Sandy Ground. St. Maarten and St. Barths are both expected to attend.

Awarded participants

Andrew Rapley was the race officer and an enthusiastic crowd of parents watched the races and the numerous moments when the shifty winds of the Simpson Bay Lagoon created some interesting moments with many position changes.

The Optimist is the most popular small racing dinghy in the world and is the class in which more top sailors developed their skills than any other. Sailors cannot be older than 15 years to compete.

- Submitted by AYSC

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