Day two of the St Maarten Budget Marine Optimist Championship, hosted by the Sint Maarten Yacht Club, brought another exciting day of racing for 44 Optimist sailors from across the Caribbean. With six additional races completed today, the participants have now successfully sailed a total of twelve races.
The weather conditions were more challenging for the young sailors compared to yesterday. A shifty wind with an average of 13 knots, but with gusts of 18 knots, combined with high waves and swells, made it a tough day on the water. The race committee observed numerous capsized boats and competitors struggling to bail out water during the races.
Three races were completed before the lunch break. Just prior to the break, the Optimist and Benjamin competitors created an interesting challenge for the Race Committee. In the third race, as many as four boats started early. For this start in the Optimist and Benjamin Fleet, a U-flag was used. This rule disqualifies boats that cross the starting line prematurely under the U-flag, removing them from the race.
After the break, the remaining three races were completed. As the day went on, the wind dropped a little, turning the competition into a true test of endurance and skill for the sailors. This may explain why, in the sixth and final race, many competitors in the Optimist and Benjamin Fleet started early. With over 75 percent of the fleet crossing the starting line prematurely, Race Officer Mathieu Maudet was forced to restart the race. This tested the sailors’ focus, but despite their youth, the Optimist and Benjamin Fleet handled the restart with professionalism, making the final race an exciting conclusion to the day.
Yesterday’s winners were easily recognized on the water, wearing vests displaying their podium positions. This added extra motivation for the other competitors to challenge them during the races. After six races, each fleet now features a different podium lineup compared to yesterday.
In the Benjamin Fleet, yesterday’s leader, Stanley Heas from St Barth, remains at the top after the second day of racing. He is followed by Oskar Jarret Versteegden from Sint Maarten, who took advantage of today’s wind conditions to secure second place. Leo Favreau from St Barths is closely behind Oskar, separated by only 1 point.
The Benjamin fleet is not the only one filled with excitement; the Optimist fleet also delivers plenty of thrills. Almost every race saw a different top three in sailors crossing the finish line! With only a few points difference between first and second place, the results after the second race day are: first place for Thomas Magras from Saint Barths, second place for Nathan Sheppard from Sint Maarten and a third place for Tao Carmona Bouvrais from Saint Barths.
In the green fleet it is Ethan Blanchet, from St Barth, who sails all races very steady and, like yesterday, often crosses the finish line first. For the second and third place there was an exciting race going on, with two different competitors on the podium than yesterday. Axel Vanden Eynde was in strong form today and chased Blanchet, coming in second in the Green Fleet after twelve races. Saul Claus Laroche from Saint Martin and Arun Bissoondutt from the BVI finished with the same amount of points today. Third place is eventually taken by Claus Laroche, since he finished more races above Bissoondutt. Being a competitor in a regatta for the very first time in his life, this is an excellent achievement of Claus Laroche!
Just like yesterday, the competitors were watched by a Juryboat on the water. Iain Mobbs, chairman of the Jury, was on the water during all races today, ensuring fair and immediate assessment of the sailing race, as well as quick response to any rule violations. It also provides safety, communication, and helps monitor the start and finish lines.
After a challenging race day, the kids were treated to a well-deserved after-sail snack, generously sponsored by Captain D’s Rib Shack. Today’s lunch was once again provided by Zee Best, who also kindly sponsored the delicious breakfast pastries.
With three expected races left to sail tomorrow, the competition promises to deliver a spectacular finish. Tomorrow’s final prizegiving is scheduled at 2PM at the Sint Maarten Yacht Club.