Young sailors do well in Texas

(CNS): Members of the Cayman Islands Youth Sailing Team produced good results at this year’s Texas Youth Race Week (TYRW). The regatta, held at three local Houston yacht clubs from July 11-16 2009, is one of the biggest youth regattas in the United States, attracting over 200 sailors under the age of 18. Jamie Williams dominated the 43 boat beginner fleet with three first place finishes to take the overall victory. Top Cayman Optimist sailor, Matthew Courtis, finished an excellent 3rd place out of 20 in his age division.

Ben Williams and Niklas Wolfe each finished in strong mid-fleet positions with a 16 out of 36 and 10 out of 25 in their respective age divisions.

Sailing Director, Michael Weber, noted the success. "Our sailors have worked hard over the last year and their effort is starting to show. To be able to have three top ten finishes, including a first and a third, at such a competitive regatta is very promising. There is no doubt that our team continues to improve at the international level".

All four sailors have been sailing the Optimist, a one person youth boat, for three years. The Optimist is themost popular youth sailing boat in the world and boasts having produced more Olympic sailors than any other class.

It is a busy summer for Cayman sailors. Matthew Courtis will follow TYRW by sailing at the US National Optimist Championship in Long Beach, California and then the World Championship in Brazil.

Other members of the team will be competing at the 29er, Byte, and Laser World Championships.

For more information on the Cayman Islands Sailing Team, please see the CISC website www.sailing.ky