ANTIGUA YACHT CLUB

Two Optimist sailors and one Laser 4.7 sailor went to Martinique for the recent International Schoelcher Regatta.  The level of competition was high with 48 participants signing up for the event in "minimes" fleet.

This event was the last event before the French can do final qualifying for their international regattas. Ten sailors in Benjamin came all the way from France to practice for six days, and then to participate the event.  Most of the top 10 sailors in France came to Martinique for the event.

The wind was very shifty and the upwind mark was placed close to the shore, making the final approach for the mark very risky and with sailors facing the potential to end up losing or gaining many boats on the last shift.

Thomas Moncomble finished 17th in the European championship last year and Enzo Balanger from Guadeloupe finished 18th in the prestigious fleet of 146 boats. We knew the level of competition was going to be high and the Antiguan sailors did well in this high level of sailors.

Rocco Falcone finished 6th and Louis Bavay finished 12th in a fleet of 43 competitors.

Coach Magnus was very happy with the tremendous effort of the young sailors and it was good to see the improvements they have made over the past several months, mainly in speed and starts.  The Antiguan sailors were always gaining boat position on most of the legs.

A big thank you to Paola Vittoria, our youth team leader, who guided the team’s way through the championship with her amazing French.

Thank you as well to Karl James and Antigua Yacht Club for use the facilities and equipment of Antigua Yacht Club.

Congratulations on a great effort to two of Antigua’s up and coming youth sailors – Rocco Falcone and Louis Bavay.

Click here to view the full results.