Please select your home edition
Edition
Craftinsure 2023 LEADERBOARD

Winners celebrate as the 2019 Caribbean Dinghy Championships wrap up

by Caribbean Sailing Association 21 Oct 2019 13:36 BST 17-20 October 2019
The Laser fleet - 2019 Caribbean Dinghy Championships © Ted Martin / Antigua Photography

It's a wrap for the Caribbean Dinghy Championships (CDC) today 20th October. With 15 races started and 15 races finished in a variety of conditions, competitors came ashore looking happy, sun-blushed and satisfied after three days of racing in Falmouth Harbour in largely sunny conditions - proving that October is a great month for dinghy racing in Antigua.

Four classes were represented at the CDC 2019: the Optimist (for the under 16s), Laser Standard, Laser Radial and RS Feva. Competition was open to entries from across the Caribbean region and the organising club, the Antigua Yacht Club was pleased to welcome crews from St Maarten, Trinidad, Barbados and St Kitts and Nevis.

"It feels good to win this," sums up Jules Mitchell, who took first place in the Laser Standard class. "I was a little worried that Rhone (Kirby) was right behind me on performance but I managed to stay ahead." Jules took 10 wins out of the 15 races, cementing his position as a top performer.

Mauriceson Valentine and his crew Nahio James not only won the RS Feva Class but also took the title of Caribbean Regional RS Feva Champions. "The light winds were a challenge for us on the first two days," says Mauriceston. Both he and Nahio are Antigua sailors. "We've been learning as we go along", says Nahio, who learned his racing skills at Antigua's National Sailing Academy. "We only started sailing together four weeks ago and it was also the first time we had sailed in an RS Feva, so we've been learning as we go along." Of the final day Mauriceson reports "It was windier and that's better for us. Boat handling is our strong point as we both keep pretty fit." Mauriceson goes running daily and both enjoy football.

Hard training also helped Daniel Smit to his win in the Laser Radial class. "I sail the boat four times a week here in Antigua," he says, so I was well prepared going into this event." 10 wins secured his win against runner up Amy Cox from Barbados. Daniel has been to the Laser Radial Worlds in Poland and Texas and is heading next to the World Cup Series. "Ultimately I would like to qualify for the Olympics," says the 17 year old Antiguan who is now stepping up to the Laser standard.

Perhaps the greatest victory of the series belonged to Izano Lafond. Age 15 and also from Antigua, Izano took first in all but four of the 15 races in the largest fleet, the Optimists. Shaping themselves as potential future champions Patrick Greensmith, 11 from Antigua and Kayman Floyd, 10, from St Kitts & Nevis put in strong performances but were unable to catch Izano, despite their intentions going into the final day to "focus hard", according to Patrick.

Short snappy windward leeward courses were the format of the event, in the perfect sheltered setting of Falmouth Harbour. Clare Cupples and her team including Helen and Ian Brayley, and Steve Spanis were on the water facing the challenges of setting fair courses in some extremely shifty wind directions over the first two days, while racing manager Carl James helped put the event together.

The Caribbean Dinghy Championships will be back same time next year!

Find full results here.

Related Articles

CSA announces launches 5 year calendar
For Caribbean based International Regattas from 2026 to 2030 The Caribbean Sailing Association (CSA) is thrilled to announce the launch of its five-year calendar for the Caribbean based International Regattas from 2026 to 2030. Posted on 8 Aug
Introducing Budget Marine Windies Multihull Trophy
A brand-new series championship for offshore multihull racing in the Caribbean The Caribbean Sailing Association (CSA) is thrilled to announce the launch of the Windies Multihull Trophy, a new season championship designed to encourage offshore multihulls to participate in more Caribbean regattas and offshore passage events. Posted on 30 Sep 2024
CSA unveils updated 5-year calendar
Aimed at providing sailing enthusiasts with a diverse range of events across the Caribbean region Caribbean Sailing Association, 30th August 2024 - The Caribbean Sailing Association (CSA) is excited to announce the release of its updated 5-year calendar, aimed at providing sailing enthusiasts with a diverse range of events across the Caribbean region. Posted on 31 Aug 2024
Navigating the 2024 Caribbean Sailing Circuit
A journey through paradise, kicking off with Grenada Sailing Week The Caribbean Sailing Association (CSA) is thrilled to welcome sailors from around the world to experience the exhilarating 2024 Caribbean Sailing Circuit. Posted on 26 Sep 2023
Caribbean Winter Circuit back with a bang
Starting in January, offering great racing throughout the region every month up until early May The Caribbean Winter Circuit starts in January and offers great racing throughout the region every month up until early May. Now is the perfect time to plan which islands and regattas you are looking to participate in! Posted on 19 Aug 2022
The race is on for the Caribbean Regatta circuit
The Winter Caribbean Regattas are gearing up, despite the challenges presented by Covid-19 Caribbean Regatta organisers have confirmed they will deliver an impressive list of regattas for international, regional and local sailors to enjoy this coming winter, despite the challenges presented by the Covid-19 pandemic. Posted on 18 Oct 2020
CSA confirms dates for its Annual General Meeting
Due to the impact of COVID-19 and restrictions on travel the event will be virtual The Caribbean Sailing Association (CSA) has confirmed dates for its Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Organisers Conference (ROC) as November 13-14, 2020. Due to the impact of COVID-19 and restrictions on travel the event will virtual and hosted via Zoom. Posted on 18 Sep 2020
CSA survey to assess interest in 2021 season
Caribbean Region cautiously optimistic about racing in 2021 As yacht racing resumes in some form or other around the world, the Caribbean Region is cautiously optimistic about the 2021 season. Local club racing has begun on many islands. Posted on 30 Aug 2020
Caribbean Sailing Association launches Fundraiser
To assist with the development of the Caribbean Wide Learn to Sail Programme The Caribbean Sailing Association (CSA) is seeking funding to establish a Caribbean wide sail-training program that will provide a creditable training resource for sailing associations, sailing schools and yacht clubs throughout the region to teach Posted on 27 Jun 2020
CSA Traveller's Trophy winner goes to Team Liquid
Pamala Baldwin's yacht wins for the second year running The CSA is delighted to announce that for the second year running the CSA Traveller's Trophy has been won by Antigua based Pamala Baldwins' Team Liquid. Posted on 2 May 2020
Zhik 2024 DecemberAllen Dynamic 40 FooterHyde Sails 2024 - One Design