The Sint Maarten Yacht Club is getting ready to host the 18th Annual edition of the St. Maarten Optimist Championship on November 25 and 26, 2023, collaborating with a new Sponsor: Budget Marine. Participants from the following islands are confirmed: Antigua, Saint Barths, St. Kitts and Nevis, Saint Martin and Sint Maarten. A total of 30 young and motivated Optimist sailors will compete in two different fleets, Advanced fleet, and Green fleet (less advanced).
James Balentien from Curacao was the overall winner of last years Optimist Championship in the advanced fleet, but unfortunately Team Curacao will not be able to defend their title this year. The number two of last years Championship was Carrack Jones from Antigua, who will race again this year. A special mention for the way of transport that Jones chose for his trip to Sint Maarten.
Carrack Jones will attempt to set a world record sailing an Optimist from Antigua to Sint Maarten, unassisted, in open ocean, which includes 115 miles / 185 km, departing from Antigua on November 21st, 2023. Previous record set was 80 NM Antigua to St Barths. Jones will be expected to arrive at Sint Maarten on November 22nd. The SMYC will organize a warm welcome for this remarkable achievement.
Team Antigua will travel with an impressive number of 9 sailors, all participating in the Championship, but fierce competition is expected as well from Saint Martin, Team SXM and Saint Barths.
“Team SXM will be represented during the event with 6 young and motivated sailors that are all part of Sint Maarten Yacht Club’s Racing Team” said Sam Peeks, Racing Coach of the SMYC. “The team has been training hard to participate in this first big regatta of the season, all on their own individual level”.
“We are happy to see that such great interest is shown from surrounding Caribbean islands; it still is challenging to travel these days and we really appreciate the effort that the teams are making to attend the event. The SMYC team and the race committee, lead by Race Officer Jolyon Ferron, are very motivated to facilitate and organize a great event.” Said Dolein van de Loo, event manager of the SMYC.
“We are excited to have Jolyon Ferron back as race officer this year. Ferron was race officer of the event in 2021, wasn’t able to make it in 2022 but is back for 2023! Ferron is not only an active member and racer of the Sint Maarten Yacht Club, but as well Sales Manager at the event sponsor; Budget Marine. Ferron has a lot of knowledge about the event, as he sailed multiple of the previous Optimist Championships when he was racing the Optimist in his younger years.” Van de Loo continues.
The St. Maarten Budget Marine Optimist Championship is a collaboration between SIMSAF (Sint Maarten Sailing Federation) and the Sint Maarten Yacht Club. This collaboration makes it possible to name the best Optimist Sailor from Sint Maarten in this event; National Dinghy Champion in the Optimist Class.
Both racing days will take place in Simpson Bay and competitors are scheduled to leave the lagoon in a 9 AM outbound bridge, that can be viewed from the Sint Maarten Yacht Club Bar and Restaurant deck.
Do you want to join this event, or would you like to have more information? Contact dolein@smyc.com or go to our website: www.smyc.com/optimist-championship