In the Community

The fact that the Saint Maarten Sol Optimist Championships for 2011 will be recorded as being the largest ever will be only one part of the event having been a watershed year. The attraction of five other territories to participate is significant, but not as significant as the fact that the long time major participant, Anguilla Sailing Association, is now producing sailors that can give her neighbours in Saint Maarten a good run for their money .

Overall winner of the event was Leonardo Knol (12), the talented son of Dr Luc Knol, Second was Hosea Williams (15) of the strong sailing island of Antigua where coach Karl James is pushing his team to greater efforts. Third place went to 9-year-old Nathan Smith who relished the light winds. Alec Scarabelli (11) of Saint Maarten was fourth and Thomas Maccow (14) of Blowing Point Anguilla was fifth.

Winner of the Junior Division (11 years & under) was Nathan Smith (9) followed by Alec Scarabelli (11) and Rocco Falcone (10) of Antigua. The Senior Division (12 years & older) standings were Leonardo Knol (12), Hosea Williams (15) and Thomas Maccow (14).

The Sportsmanship Award went to 10-yr-old Nathalie Fay of BVI who made it very clear, in the course of a buoy incident, that she would do the correct thing when in an awkward situation.

Visiting territories were BVI, Anguilla, St Barth’s, Nevis and Antigua. A total of 29 boats participated.

Winds for the event, held in the Simpson Bay Lagoon, were light and diminished during the day until the final races were almost drifters with wind switches towards the south.

The event was sponsored once again by Sol Petroleum who are now in their 5th year of sponsorship. Regional General Manager, David Antrobus said,

“Sol is very pleased to once again be the sponsor of the 2011 Optimist Regatta, having been there from the first Optimist Regatta in 2005 when there were only 12 boats from two countries participating. It is thus especially pleasing this year to see 6 countries participating and 29 boats. The Regatta fits Sol’s profile for its sponsorship in promoting the youth in events that can be associated with Company’s long term growth in its markets. Sol looks forward to the day that these young sailors today become the Mega yacht captains of future years.”