After Tropical Storm Felix blew the first day off the calendar, the Grenada Sailing Association (GSA) together with the Grenada Yacht Club (GYC) re-scheduled their Junior Race Day for Saturday 15th September. At last the keen junior sailors were able to get on the water at the Yacht Club and take part in a fun day of sailing and competition. The day marks the close of the Summer Sailing Programme run by GSA and GYC.
A strong group of 15 young sailors took part in the day, and after being divided into two classes, for Optimist dinghies and Mosquito dinghies; the courses were set and a busy day of competitive racing kicked off. The youngsters showed the skills they had learned throughout the Summer and the positions were closely fought. At the end of the day when the points were totaled up the positions were as follows: Optimist Class- 4th Place: Kendel Martin; 3rd Place: Shakeem Collins; 2nd Place: Clinton Brathwaite; 1st Place: Kenzo Szyjan. Mosquito Class – 4th Place: Brothers Shane and Shevon Hardle; 3rd Place: Nicholas Cherman; 2nd Place: Johnathan Elibox and 1st Place: Joshua James.
The day ended with a presentation attended by Ms. Veda Bruno Victor, Grenada Olympic Committee and Mr. Ashley Steele, Treasurer of the Grenada Yacht Club. As well as prizes provided by the GSA, GYC and Budget Marine, all the youngsters taking part were given certificates for the day, plus certificates acknowledging their attendance at the GSA/GYC Summer Sailing School. Certificates went to Taite Lehov, Tarvin Joseph, Sydney Baptiste, and Neilon Aberdeen. Joshua Tuson, Michael Weber, Alvis Cudjoe and Ryan Mohan, four young sailors from Carriacou who had taken part in the Summer sailing Programme, will also be receiving certificates.
As well as his prize for first place in the Mosquito Class, Joshua James also received a special commendation and a Budget Marine Cap for attending every day of the Summer Programme.
A family visiting in their yacht from the USA also were invited to take part in the day, and Solomon, Summer, and Sam Jackson took home certificates as a reminder of a fun day sailing in Grenada.
Association Treasurer Jacqui Pascall commented: “The Summer Sailing Programme that we have run with the Yacht Club has been a huge success and many thanks goes to our instructor Kevin Banfield and trainee instructors Vaughn Bruno and Michael McQueen who have worked very hard, and to our young Grenadian sailors, who have been showing great commitment—whatever their levels of experience.”
She went on to thank the Grenada Olympic Association for help with funding for the important Instructor Training Course initiated this year, and the Management Committee of the Grenada Yacht Club for its support in the Programme, as well as providing the venue.
Commenting at the Prize Presentation, Mrs. Bruno Victor told the young sailors that the Grenada Olympic Committee was particularly pleased to add sailing to its list of sports supported in its Talent Identification Programme for summer 2007 and she encouraged them to continue to train for the future. Mr. Steele added the Grenada Yacht Club’s commitment and support for the continuation of this important Youth Sailing Programme and told the young sailors present to tell their friends to join in and enjoy the fun of sailing.
The Grenada Sailing Association would also like to thank Budget Marine for its long-term backing for youth sailing, Turbulence Grenada Ltd. and the Grenada Sailing Festival Committee and American Airlines for essential safety equipment.
For further information contact Jacqui Pascall 415 2022/443 5452, or Sarah Baker 456 0914.
Report submitted by Grenada Sailing Association
