Youth sailors fly the flag in BVI

(CISC): The Cayman Islands Youth sailing team returned yesterday from a very successful showing at the Premier’s Cup regatta in Tortola, British Virgin Islands. They took silver medals in the regatta along with the Maxwell “Mackie” Simmons award for the team displaying the best sportsmanship. The BVI team took advantage of their local knowledge and sailed well to lift the trophy but our sailors beat out strong competition from Anguilla and Antigua to take second place. The Premier’s Cup, now in its 16th year, has welcomed hundreds of enthusiastic young sailors from across the Caribbean and the wider world. 

Competitors have enjoyed competing in the beautiful sailing waters of the Virgin Islands while fostering excellent camaraderie amongst themselves.This regatta allows young adults to come together regardless of their background to compete in their chosen sport, while also allowing for personal development within sailing.

“The team sailed really well and had a great time interacting with kids their own age from other islands” explained Coach Kelvin Brown. “Two years ago we were placed 6th but the team is a little older and a lot wiser now so it was good to see them make so much progress. We would like to say a big thank you to the Rotary Club of Grand Cayman and Deutsche bank who helped out with the cost of the travel to BVI”.

The team of 6 were sailing a 24’ one design boat similar to the J22 that they sail here in Cayman. Pablo Bertran and Florence Allan are now looking forward to travelling to China next month to represent Cayman in the Youth Olympic Games whilst Jesse Jackson and Andres McDermot are hoping to represent Cayman at the Central American and Caribbean games in Mexico in November. Allena Rankine and James Allen completed the team.

Club Manager Rick Caley explained “this group of sailors are having an amazing year and are making their mark wherever they go. With their hard work and the dedicated coaching of our Instructors, along with the generous support of our sponsors, they are excellent ambassadors for Cayman”.