Over 30 Optimist have signed up for the 2018 Sol St Maarten Optimist Championship organized by the Sint Maarten Yacht Club. The event is taking place this upcoming weekend, November 10 and 11, 2018. Approximately 20 young sailors from St Kitts, St Barts and Antigua will be travelling to St Maarten to sail in the 13th edition of this sailing event sponsored by Sol Petroleum.
The Sol St Maarten Optimist Championship will be the largest youth sailing event, with a large representation from the region, hosted by the Sint Maarten Yacht Club since Hurricane Irma. “I’m really looking forward to the 13th annual Sol Optimist Championship. It is great to see so much sailing talent from all over the region come to Sint Maarten for our event, and we look forward to welcoming these young sailors to our island.” Says Paul Miller, Race Officer of the event.
This event helps to further develop the sailing skills of the sailors as the competition is strong and gets the kids excited to race against each other. In addition, sailing teaches youngsters life skills like team work, perseverance, confidence as well as sportsmanship and fair play. The latter two teaches them a way of behaving and thinking which incorporate friendship, respect for others on the water, maintaining self-control, dignity and integrity, and always competing in the right spirit.
This is the first time that St Kitts is sending its youth sailors to compete in in the Sol St Maarten Optimist Championship. Nicholas Dupre from the St Kitts & Nevis Sailing Association explains: “None of our sailors have ever sailed anywhere but in St Kitts, which offers great sailing conditions, but I made it one of my personal goals to attend more regional events to increase their racing experience and learn from all these other talented sailors in the region. The Sol St Maarten Optimist Challenge is our first regional event we are attending, but we are hoping it generates enthusiasm to join in other events. The overall experience will be extremely valuable for our sailors and we are looking forward to interacting with the other kids and coaches present in St Maarten.”
Sol, the region’s leading provider of premier energy solutions is a great supporter of sailing events, having sponsored the St Maarten Heineken Regatta for over 15 years and the upcoming Sol St Maarten Optimist Championship will be celebrating its 13th edition. Last year the event couldn’t take place due to the impact of Irma and Maria in the region, but the resilience, enthusiasm and interest in the event this year shows it is an important event on the regional sailing calendar.
“At Sol we are passionate about supporting several community activities every year. We are particularly proud and committed to sponsoring the Sol St. Maarten Optimist Regatta, as we contribute to the development of the youth in the region which will become key players in the Marine industry that we proudly serve”, said David Antrobus, General Manager of Sol.
The Sol St Maarten Optimist Championship organized by the Sint Maarten Yacht Club takes place from Nov 10 – Nov 11, 2018. For more information contact Leonde@smyc.com or visit www.smyc.com.
