Come and enjoy a perfect BVI sailing day they said…and it all started so well…What we hadn’t bargained for was the thunder, lightning and rain that scattered the fleet and then sucked out the breeze!! Despite the constantly changing conditions (just another challenge) the racers enjoyed a six race series and close competition out in the Sir Francis Drake Channel.
The BVI Laser Masters Championship was born in 2018 and since then only one name appears on the trophy. Christian Thompson sealed the deal in 2018 and 2019 whilst COVID put a stop to the 2020 edition but could he do it again?
Thompson set the marker down early to take the win in the first race ahead of 2021 BVI Dinghy Champs winner Colin Rathbun and Chris Haycraft. In race number two, Mike Hirst made his presence felt, taking the bullet with Thompson in second. In the remaining four races, Rathbun put the hammer down, took three out of four wins and with that the title by one point.
Haycraft sailed a consistent regatta despite waging a war against numerous tiller extensions and finished the day in third overall. New to BVI sailing and shaking off the cobwebs was Nick Maris who sailed a solid day, posting his best result of a third in the final race and finishing fourth overall.
In the Laser Radial Class, BVI Youth Team sailor Savion James took a string of bullets through the day, competing in his first regatta in the class. Marentia de Villiers, the only female Laser skipper, came in second behind James in the Radial, once again showing true grit and determination and always with a smile!
In the Optimist class, Harry Dixon and William Sanders went head to head for the Back to School title. In the end it was Dixon who came out the victor with two firsts and a second. Congratulations to both sailors who put in a good performance on a tricky day and are eager to keep working hard at their trianing with the BVI Youth Sailing Team.
In the RSFeva class, Samuel Allen and Ethan George shared the helming duties throughout the day and took first overall. Mixiing it up with the Lasers they are put in a great performance, demonstrating the skills learned during the Feva Team Racing training with the BVI Youth Team. Cate Armstrong skipperd the second Feva, sailing with daughters Mia and Ellie in their first ever BVI regatta. We look forward to seeing them all back again!
Our results will be entered into the 2021 Bart’s Bash and we look foward to seeing how the gang shape up against other sailors in the region in the Caribbean Sailing Association League.
Thank you to the race committee team of volunteers, Ted, Scooby, Julia, Mandi, Meagan and Bash, as always without people giving up their time, donating their boats and supporting events, we would not be able to do what we do.
Results
Laser
1. Colin Rathbun , 7
2. Christian Thompson, 8
3. Chris Haycraft, 16
4. Nick Maris, 19
5. Mike Hirst, 24 (RTD)
Laser Radial
1. Savion James, 6
2. Marentia de Villiers, 10
Optimist
1. Harry Dixon, 4
2. Wiliam Sanders, 5
RS Feva
1. Ethan George & Samuel Allen
2. Cate, Mia & Ellie Armstrong
