Exciting action and drama at Techno North Americans in Cozumel

by Nevin Sayre on 22 Feb 2011 Techno 293 North American Championships were completed today in beautiful Cozumel, Mexico with excellent conditions and high drama. The event will long be remembered for the local hospitality, breathtaking venue, and camaraderie amongst the young sailors.

The event will also be marked by the joyful ending to a rescue at sea by a 13 year old American Techno sailor of an 18 year old Mexican girl in the RS:X class.

Mexico’s representative at the Youth Olympic Games, Ignacio 'Nacho' Berenger, dominated the T293 Under 17 Class with a near perfect score of bullets across the nine races. The Mexican Federation’s investment and coaching of young windsurfers is paying off as they also took the Under 17 Woman (Diana Segura), Under 15 Men (Diego Jimenez), and Under 15 Woman (Daniela Caraveo). The Cozumel conditions provided excellent preparation for the T293 World Championships to be held at St. Francis YC (CA) in July.

Rasmus Sayre (Vineyard Haven, MA) was awarded 'Hero of the Regatta' for his outstanding seamanship and sportsmanship in rescuing Nicole Level (Cancun, MX) who ended up winning the RS:X Youth Women and qualifying for the Youth World Champs in Croatia. It was a dangerous situation on the far outside of the course when the joint between Nicole’s board and rig failed, and she lost both her board and rig in the big waves. Nicole was left swimming alone in the strong off shore current, and regretfully was wearing no life jacket.

'I thought I was going to die,' said Level. 'I’m never going on the water without a life jacket again.' Remarkably, Rasmus happened to see her hand frantically waving at the crest of a wave. He immediately dropped out of his first place position in the U15 Techno Class, sailed out to her, and Nicole, completely exhausted, struggled onto Rasmus’ board. Rasmus attempted to sail the two of them to shore but was unable in the big waves, and they were being swept further out to sea by the four knot current. Luckily, a fishing vessel with lookout tower, happened by and noticed Rasmus’ sail. The fishing vessel came alongside, and Nicole had regained enough strength to swim to the boat and was taken safely back to shore. Rasmus was then able to sail to shore alone. Nicole’s board was never found.

Video of the Cozumel action with a brief interview of the two heroes