Winds from butterfly to brisk proved challenging for eighty-three dinghy sailors hailing from Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands, Dominican Republic, Trinidad & Tobago and U.S. mainland that competed in the 5th annual Club Nautico de San Juan International Regatta.
Held February 3-5, out of Club Nautico de San Juan and in the backdrop of mega cruise ships, regatta director Jose Gilberto “Yoyo” Berrios explains, “We had three sailing areas to accommodate the Optimist, Laser and Snipe sailors.”
In the Optimist Class, Puerto Rico’s Jose Nigaglioni dominated the Overall and in the 13-15 year old Red Fleet. “I did my best when the winds were heavier,” Nigaglioni says. Fellow islander, Ivan Aponte, finished second, while the BVI’s Alec Anderson rounded out third place in the Red Fleet.
Puerto Rico’s Fernando Monllor cruised to an easy first place finish in the Opti Blue Fleet with a 16-point lead over fellow islander, Raul Rios. St. Croix’s Billy Gibbons won third place.
Puerto Rican sailors dominated the Opti White fleet, with Juan Carlos Perdoma, Victor Aponte and Armando Collazo first, second and third, respectively.
In the beginner Green Opti Fleet, it was Bibiana Ruiz who led by one point over Marcos Vizcarrondo, with Juan Carlos Franco in third.
Puerto Rican female skipper, Patricia Villafane, easily led the Laser 4.7 class over fellow islanders, Patrick Carolus and David Alfonso in second and third, respectively.
Jorge Hernandez won the Laser Radial class, with Carlos Teixidor second and Adrian Hernandez third.
Juan Moline aced the Laser Standards, followed by William Fuertes and Peter Kingsbury.
In the Snipe Class, it was Jesus Rodriquez who led, with Manuel Dalmau second and Enrique Torruella third.
“Three years ago we had a Hobie Fleet. We decided to discontinue that fleet due to safety reasons. This year we added the Snipe Class due to growing interest in this boat with the upcoming CAC Games,” Berrios says.
In general, he adds, “The Snipe Class in Puerto Rico is one that is rapidly growing with nine or ten boats so far.”
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