Sunshine, calm winds, good food and fun entertainment made for a fun and enjoyable 2014 Dinghy Championships hosted by the Royal BVI Yacht Club here at Nanny Cay last weekend.
The three days of fun kicked off Friday night with registration, welcome party with fire show and music into the night by Bounce.
After the first day of racing on Saturday, the CADA Players performed on the beach and dancing followed, again with music by Bounce. After the prize giving on the final day, everyone was encouraged to drink the bar dry – all in a good cause: 100% of the proceeds from the weekend’s event went to the BVI Youth Sailing Development Programme for instructor wages and equipment maintenance, and acquisition.
Throughout the weekend spectators could view the racing from the ‘Ocean Lounge and Deck Bar’ aka the stage near the pool, converted for the weekend; a wine tasting was held there on Sunday afternoon.
The awards ceremony on Sunday evening showcased the sailing talent, especially the achievements of young sailors. Almost 30 races took place during the two-day dinghy championships with awards granted in several racing categories.
Award recipients in the Optimist Championship were divided according to age category.
Young BVI sailor Rayne Duff won first place in his age category. The remainder of young winners includes:
- Red Winners (Children aged 13 – 15 years old): 1st place Teddy Nicolosi (St Thomas, USVI); 2nd place Rocco Falcone (Antigua); and 3rd place Robert Hunter (St Thomas, USVI).
- Blue (Children aged 11 – 12 years old): 1st place Rayne Duff (BVI); 2nd place Mateo DiVlasi (St John, USVI); and 3rd place Thad Lettsome (BVI).
- White (Children aged 10 years old and younger: 1st place Mia Nicolosi (St Thomas, USVI); 2nd place Nathan Haycraft (BVI); and 3rd place Maria Eldridge (St John, USVI).
The Optimist Championship added to the anticipation among VI sailors for the upcoming Optimist North American Championship which takes place in July. This international race will see young sailors aged 8 – 15 travel to Mexico and participate in this race. The BVI’s Rayne Duff, Nathan Haycraft and Thad Lettsome are some of the territory’s youngest and most experienced sailors who will be competing in this race.
This year the BVI Dinghy Championships also included Laser Full, Laser 4.7, Laser Radial, IC 24 and 420 class raceboats. The winners include Andrew Barlas of St Thomas USVI (Laser Full), Abby Maddox of the BVI (Laser 4.7), and Rhone Findlay of St Martin (Laser Radial). Laser Radial and Laser 4.7 are classes of primarily junior sailors and they have smaller sails to make them more manageable for juniors. Laser Full sailboats are full rig primarily for men and heavy sailors. Abby Maddox was the only BVI female participant to be awarded first prize in last weekend’s championship.
Other first place winners include Sara Hardee (St Croix USVI) who won the 420 class and Colin Rathburn (BVI) who won the competitive IC24 class.
Another BVI winner includes Benjamin Barlas who was first place in the Sunfish Single class race. The Sunfish Single is the most popular sailboat in the world, which makes this a particularly exciting win for Benjamin Barlas and the BVI.
The competition in the Byte – Youth Olympic Games Class saw Scott McKenzie (USVI) take first place and Paige Clark (St John, USVI) take 2nd place. Sam Morrell of the BVI did not have the opportunity to take part in this race as his Byte has been shipped to the USA for training. Sam is travelling to the US this summer to represent the BVI in the Youth Olympic Games Sailing Competition in July 2014.
Participants and attendees enjoyed food and refreshments from a range of BVI eateries including Myett’s of Cane Garden Bay, Sharky’s Tex-Mex Bar and Restaurant and Peg Legs Restaurant in Nanny Cay.
