CARIBBEAN DINGHY CHAMPIONSHIPS
2009
August 14th - August 16th 2009
Trinidad and Tobago retain the Caribbean Dinghy Championship Trophy
From August 14th to 16th, the Barbados Sailing Association welcomed some of the top dinghy sailors from around the Caribbean to compete in the annual Caribbean Dinghy Championships. Trinidad and Tobago, Martinique, Antigua and St. Maarten, as well as Barbados, all fielded very strong teams making the competition fierce and exciting.
This prestigious event for dinghy sailors from throughout the Caribbean was sailed in Carlisle Bay where, on Saturday, the sailors were treated to almost perfect sailing conditions with flat seas, clear blue skies and strong winds. The extremely light and variable winds of Sunday, however, tested the skills and concentration of even the most experienced sailors to their maximum.
Sailors competed for top honours in five different classes, Laser standard, Laser radial, Echo 12, Optimist senior and Optimist junior, with a total of nine races being sailed in each class over the two days of the Championships.
The Laser standard class was dominated throughout by former Olympian, Karl James of Antigua. James crossed the finish line first in all but one of his races to make him the undisputed champion of the class. He was, however, constantly challenged by Stuart Leighton from Trinidad who placed a very convincing second in the class. Charlie Gloumeau of Barbados sailed consistently well to take third place.
The Laser radial class for the lighter weight sailors was won by Antiguan, Shawn Maloney who placed first in seven out of his nine races. Maloney was, however, kept under constant pressure by Jason Tindale of Barbados who placed a very well deserved second overall. Wesley Scott from Trinidad fought hard to place third.
In the Echo 12, a two man boat for sailors of any age, competition for the top two positions was extremely tight, with Trinidad and Martinique constantly fighting for line honours. In the end, the Martinique team of Andrea Franceil and Guillaume Ecallard just managed to get the better of the Trinidad team of Daniel Briggs and Dekife Charles who had to settle for second. Third place in the class went to Jamarly Meade and Jerisse Williams from Antigua.
First place in the Optimist senior class for youngsters between twelve and fifteen years old went to Derek Poon Tip of Trinidad who sailed with determination to win seven of his nine races. Rhone Findlay of St. Maarten sailed consistently well to place second overall in the class, with Aimery Darnis of Martinique placing third
The Optimist junior class for sailors eleven years and younger was dominated by Miles Kaufman of Trinidad who sailed brilliantly to win all nine of his races. A fierce battle was fought for second and third spots between Jimmy Marchand of Martinique and Scott Gittens of Barbados. In the end, a mere one point separated the two, with Marchand finishing in second place and Gittens in third.
When the final points were tallied for each team, winners of last year’s Championships, Trinidad and Tobago, again emerged victorious. Second place went to the team from Antigua, with the Martinique team placing third.