Eighteen young sailors from
Grenada
and Carriacou demonstrated their talent in the first Optimist Dinghy Regatta,
staged as part of the recent 40th anniversary Carriacou Regatta.
The three-day event, organised by the Grenada Sailing Association,
included expert tactical training and practical advice from two qualified
instructors, Nick Stephens and Randy Manwarring.
Although the young sailors had varying degrees of experience, all
benefited from the training, which showed up in some very exciting and closely
fought racing. In ScotiaBank Race Day, Renaldo Noel from Windward shared third
place with Mavrick Cudjoe of Harvey Vale, while Shakeem Noel of
Woburn matched points
with Ronell Allan of Windward for
second behind Kenzo Szyjan of Grenada Yacht Club in first place. The end of day
relay race was won by Carriacou’s Reynold ‘Ren’ Haemer,
Ronell Allan and Mavrick Cudjoe, joined by
Woburn’s Clinton
Brathwaite.
In Hubbard’s Race Series on Monday, the teams enjoyed some
excellent breezes and race conditions after some difficult squalls on the
previous day. David Murray of Grenada Yacht Club took fourth place, with Woburn
boys Shakeem Noel and Clinton Brathwaite coming through to take second and
third respectively. But again it was Kenzo Szyjan who proved unbeatable for a
second day. The final Relay race of the Regatta was taken by David Murray,
Kenzo Szyjan and Clinton Brathwaite from
Grenada, with team-mate Renaldo
Noel from Carriacou.
The event is part of the Optimist Youth Sailing Program run by the
Grenada Sailing Association as part of its ongoing commitment to the
development of all aspects of sailing in
Grenada and its sister islands.
GSA President Jacqui Pascall commented: “The Regatta was the first
time that we have had a fleet of 15 Optimists together, with sailors from
Grenada and
Carriacou competing in full race conditions and it has given us a great
opportunity to scout young talent for the future.”
Ultimately the GSA hopes to send young sailors to the International
Optimist Regattas and have representatives in the 2012 London Olympics.
For more information about the Grenada Sailing Association contact
Jacqui Pascall on 439 1000 or email grenadasail@sailgrenada.co.uk.
