RenaissanceRe Junior Gold Cup - Denmark’s Christian Spodsberg wins

RenaissanceRe Junior Gold Cup 2014. RenaissanceRe Junior Gold Cup

Two champions: Denmark’s Christian Spodsberg won the Renaissance Re Junior Gold Cup and Sweden's Johnie Berntsson won the 2014 Argo Group Gold Cup. © Talbot Wilson

'The harbour was much more shifty and difficult than I expected and I had to fight my way up to the top mark where I was in fourth' Spodsberg said who won the regatta. 'On the next rounding, through the gate, I was in first so that was very good. It was a great time here overall.'

Bermudians placed well in the overall regatta with Adam Larson, 13, holding on to his second place with 53 points. Larson sailed very well this week and also earned the award for top Bermudian sailor.

'Going into this regatta, my goal was to be top Bermudian sailor,' Larson said. 'In the past, the top Bermudian was not in the top three. To finish in second place in Bermuda is a really, really big thing for me. I feel really good about how I sailed this week.'

Third place went to Brazil's Joao Emilio Vasconcello with 54 points. He is a tall boy who sailed well in both heavy breeze and super light conditions. 'I appreciate the opportunity I had to sail in this regatta,' Vasconcellos said. 'This island is beautiful. I particularly want to say a special thank you to Dede Cooper and Susan Smith.'

The top female finisher award went to Julia Szmit of Poland, who finished in ninth place overall. 'On the last race I had a bad start but as it was lighter breezes and I am from the lakes it started to feel very familiar to me. I think sailing here on the harbour is a bit more like the lakes I sail in Poland.'

One of the key factors of this regatta is that although the competitors may arrive as shy young teenagers, they quickly form friendships that endure and grow. In the case of this year’s international and Bermudian group, the Optimist worlds were ongoing in Argentina during this event. Although these competitors narrowly missed a shot at the worlds by a point or two, Bermuda was a fantastic alternative and experience no young sailor would ever forget.

For principal race officer Charles Tatem that is part of the importance of the event. It is also great, according to Tatem, that the sailors here get this kind of exposure.

'Because the kids are getting much more international exposure, it really gives them something to aim for. The top sailors coming here really raise the bar, and the Bermuda sailors also raise the bar for each other.'

Regatta Chairman Somers Cooper reiterated that, 'none of this would be possible without the support of RenaissanceRe who have made this experience a reality for 12 years running. They have allowed us to bring a generation of world-class sailors from around the world to our shores to show our local kids where the bar lies .'

2014 Junior Gold Cup - Final Day Results

Sailed: 10, Discards: 1, To count: 9, Entries: 40, Scoring system: Appendix A

Related Articles

Race Yachts Premium Brokerage - Autumn Selection
When only the best will do... When only the best will do...
Posted today at 6:05 am Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta - The Grand Finale
Single-handed race, cream teas, gig racing and prize-giving ceremony bring the event to a close The 35th Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta came to a close yesterday with the single-handed race, cream teas, gig racing and prize-giving ceremony in the historic 18th century Nelson's Dockyard.
Posted today at 3:03 am Last Chance Regatta at Hyères, France Day 3
Grael quest for Olympic place is in the family tradition A Brazilian sailor with a very famous name in Olympic history is in contention to earn a place for his country at the Paris 2024 Games after day three of competition at the Last Chance Regatta in Hyères, France.
Posted on 23 Apr April 2024 FINNFARE
Focus on future, present and past In this rather special year for the class - 75 years of Finn sailing - this issue represents a reflection on the past and future of the class, as well as the present.
Posted on 23 Apr An interview with Colligo Marine's John Franta
A Q&A on their involvement with the Tally Ho Sail-World checked in with John Franta, founder, co-owner, and lead engineer at Colligo Marine, to learn more about the company's latest happenings, and to find out more about their involvement with the Tally Ho project.
Posted on 23 Apr A lesson in staying cool, calm, and collected
Staying cool, calm, and collected on the 2024 Blakely Rock Benefit Race The table was set for a feast: a 12-14 knot northerly combed Puget Sound, accompanied by blue skies and sunshine. But an hour before of our start for the Blakely Rock Benefit Race, DC power stopped flowing from the boat's lithium-ion batteries.
Posted on 23 Apr RORC publish Admiral's Cup Notice of Race
Expressions of interest have been received from 14 different countries The Royal Ocean Racing Club (RORC) has published the 2025 Admiral's Cup Notice of Race, setting out the conditions under which the prestigious regatta will be run.
Posted on 23 Apr Official opening of the Yacht Racing Image Award
The prize-giving will take place during the Yacht Racing Forum The 15th edition of the international photography competition dedicated to the sport of sailing will once again reassemble the world's best marine photographers from all over the world.
Posted on 23 Apr World Sailing appoints Jim Morris CB DSO
As new Director of Events World Sailing is delighted to announce the appointment of Jim Morris CB DSO as its new Director of Events.
Posted on 23 Apr The wrappers come off the new British Cup boat
After more than two years in design development and build After more than two years in design development and build and a being under wraps for her 1,000 mile road trip from Northamptonshire, UK to Barcelona, the new British AC75 is now out in the open.
Posted on 23 Apr