Sailors from St. Vincent and the Grenadines delivered a strong performance at the 30th Caribbean Dinghy Championships in St. Maarten from Oct. 22–25. The team came away with a third-place finish, three fourth-place finishes and a historic milestone for sailing in Bequia.
The sailors competed against 70 athletes from across the Caribbean on the waters of Simpson Bay; racing began in 7–14 knots on Friday, with similar conditions on Saturday. Sunday brought a tougher challenge, with winds of 15–20 knots and high seas, testing the sailors’ boat handling and racing skills.
Joshua Weinhardt secured third place in the ILCA 4 class, earning a podium finish.
Kai Marks-Dasent finished fourth in the ILCA 6 class, delivering a strong performance in a competitive fleet.
In the RS Zest class, Jordi Lewis and Rio Marks-Dasent finished fourth, demonstrating teamwork and consistency throughout the championship.
The RS Quest team of Isaiah Blackett and Joshua Osbourne also achieved fourth place, rounding off an encouraging set of results for the Vincentian team.
Another highlight of the championship was the participation of Keyron Harris from Bequia in the Optimist class.
Harris made history as the first sailor from Bequia to compete at the Caribbean Dinghy Championships. He improved throughout the event with a 5th place result in the last race.
His participation is an important step for sailing in Bequia and an encouraging example for other young people on the island who may want to get involved in the sport.
It also highlights the importance of creating more opportunities for young sailors throughout St. Vincent and the Grenadines to compete at regional level.
“The achievements of these young sailors would not be possible without the dedication of their coaches, parents, volunteers and sponsors, whose continued support helps provide opportunities for young Vincentians to develop their talents and represent their country,” the association said.
“The team’s performance at this milestone edition of the Caribbean Dinghy Championships provides plenty of reason for optimism as Vincentian sailing continues to develop and inspire the next generation.”
Those interested in learning to sail are encouraged to contact their local sailing club or get in touch with the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Sailing Association, [email protected], for advice on how to get started. Sailing is a great sport for young people, offering the opportunity to develop new skills, build confidence and compete locally and internationally.
Photos provided by Sint Maartin Yacht Club