The Tribune

THE annual K.P.M.G Youth Winter Championship was hosted by The Nassau Yacht Club and Bahamas National Sailing School (B.N.S.S.) with sailing in Montagu Bay February 19-20.

Running since 2015, this is one of the major junior events held each year. Fifty sailors from New Providence, Harbour Island, Exuma and Eleuthera, ranging in age from 8 to 17 years old, sailed in fleets of Laser, Sunfish and Optimist boats.

It is an important championship for the Optimist sailors, as the results for the best placed finishers work towards qualification to represent The Bahamas on the national race team at major international events such as the North American and World Championships.

Usually held in February or March each year, this event often presents challenging weather conditions and this year was no exception.

On Saturday there was very little wind, offering an advantage to the smaller, lightweight sailors, but slow and sluggish sailing for the majority.

The Optimist Green Fleet, which comprises the younger and less experienced sailors, managed to complete four races.

The Laser and Sunfish fleets managed two races and the Optimist Championship fleet just one.

In contrast, Sunday brought high winds of around 20 knots, which subsided in the afternoon to a brisk, but more comfortable 15 knots.

The conditions were decided unsuitable for the Green Fleet, who didn’t sail.

The race committee coordinated the other courses giving completion of a total of 6 races in the other fleets over the two-day event.

The Optimist Green fleet was closely fought with only two points separating the top three finishers.

Casey Dean of Harbour Island Sailing Club took first place with Skyler Parker from Eleuthera Sailing Academy in second and Amy Dickson of The Royal Nassau Sailing Club in third.

In the 25 strong Optimist Championship fleet, Craig Ferguson of The Bahamas National Sailing School was the triumphant recipient of 1st place with Zane Munroe (Lyford Cay) in second and Norman Cartwright (Nassau Yacht Club) in third.

The Sunfish fleet was won by Petrus Maritz of The Royal Nassau Sailing Club with Enzo Godoy, also of R.N.S.C, in second and Vincent Knowles of The Bahamas National Sailing School in third.

With 13 participants, the Laser class winner was Joshua Weech of The Nassau Yacht Club, with Johnny Mindorf of Lyford Cay and Ellie Higgs of The Royal Nassau Sailing Club in second and third respectively.

The top three finishers in each fleet received trophies which were presented by Mr Nico Maritz of K.P.M.G.

The Bahamas National Sailing School wishes to extend their appreciation to K.P.M.G for their continued support in sponsoring this popular event, now in its eighth year. Thank you also to the numerous parents and volunteers for their assistance in coordinating the event and to The Nassau Yacht Club for their ongoing hospitality.