Antigua
The Jolly Harbour Yacht Club’s 2008 Commodore Brian Turton reports that the club’s Youth Development Program continues to expand with more and more interest coming from Antiguan youth groups such as the Duke of Edinburgh Scheme, the Junior Achievers and the New Horizons Club. “The two Sport 16 dinghies now owned by JHYC are worked very hard on Saturday in pursuance of the Club’s goal of free instruction for the island’s youngsters,” says Turton.
“The aim is to give them an alternative leisure pursuit and, for the very keen and talented, the opportunity to develop a sailing career that could lead them into employment possibilities in the thriving Antiguan Marine industry. A lot of support has been forthcoming for the project particularly in respect of the club members who give their time to supervise the sailing and local businesses such as Anjo Insurance, La Perla and Sunsail Club Colonna.
“The leader of the project, Lawrie May, was delighted to recently set the decals for our Insurance sponsor, Anjo Insurance, on the bows of the dinghies.
“On the Regatta front work has now begun on the organisation of the Club’s two major regattas, The JHR Caribbean Annual to be held over the weekend of December 6th and 7th 2008, and the Budget Marine Valentine’s Regatta, hosted by JHYC, to be staged over the weekend of February 14th and 15th, 2009. Both events were a tremendous success last time around and we are determined to expand entries and bring the fantastic sailing available off Jolly Harbour to a wider entry list. Keep an eye on the JHYC website at jhycantigua.com for further details.”
U.S. Virgin Islands
St. Thomas Yacht Club Manager Bill Canfield reports with justifiable pride on an outstanding summer for the club’s younger members: “Ian Barrows finished 2nd at the Optimist World Championships in Turkey and was also the youngest sailor in the top 20. Nikki Barnes… ended up 35th overall and 7th among girls. Alex Coyle and Alec Taylor also finished in the top 85 in the world. In addition our strong team including Kyle Brego also finished 3rd in Team Racing.”
“Taylor Canfield along with Cy Thompson and Nathan Rosenberg sailing as crew have taken up match racing in a big way. At the U.S. National Championship for the Prince of Wales Trophy they finished 14 – 0 in the quarter finals and 15 – 3 in the Semi Finals capturing the New England and East Coast Championship. They are now on to the finals in Sept with 11 other teams from throughout the US.
“Finally our High Schoolers under the tutelage of Colin Probyn and the Thompsons won the Premier’s Cup in Tortola for the 6th straight time. Sailing in IC 24’s led by Tyler Rice, Olin Davis and William Bailey showed their usual dominance over the rest of the Caribbean islands.
“If you have not already heard Thomas Barrows was awarded a "wild card" placement in the Olympic Laser class. Thomas is off to China to fight the seaweed and light airs in Qingdao, China.”
Back home, Club members have scheduled Volunteer Day on Saturday September 6. Volunteers of all ages are invited clean, paint, and get sailboat racks built in return for a free lunch and beer (or soft drinks).
