This weekend, May 10 and 11, the Sint Maarten Yacht Club will host the third edition of the Sint Maarten National Dinghy Championship, sponsored by Island Water World. The event is organized on behalf of the Sint Maarten Sailing Federation. In the past, this event was part of the Dinghy Season Championship. However, starting in 2023, it became a standalone Dinghy Championship.
Registration for the event will take place on Friday, May 9, from 9AM to 5 PM at the Sint Maarten Yacht Club. Competitors will receive a shirt and a goodie bag during registration. Saturday, May 10, will feature a full day of racing, and Sunday will see competitors racing in the morning.
Sailors will compete across five classes: RS Zest, RS Quest, ILCA, Sun Fast 20, and Optimist, with trophies awarded to the top three competitors in each class. Additionally, the prestigious title of ‘Sint Maarten Dinghy Champion’ will be awarded to winners in the RS Quest, RS Zest, Sun Fast 20, ILCA 4, ILCA 6, and ILCA 7 classes. This title can only be won by Sint Maarten residents. The title for the Optimist class will be decided at the Sint Maarten Optimist Championship hosted by the Sint Maarten Yacht Club in November 2025.
Island Water World is thrilled to sponsor the National Dinghy Championship 2025. “Island Water World is proud to be able to support the Sint Maarten Yacht Club and this important event for the local sailing community,” said Gaby Eman, Managing Director of Island Water World. “The youth sailing programs of the Sint Maarten Yacht Club are essential for fostering the next generation of sailors, instilling vital skills such as teamwork, leadership, and resilience. Supporting these programs not only helps to preserve the rich tradition of sailing, but also promotes healthy, active lifestyles among young people.”
Although the National Dinghy Champion in the Optimist class will not be decided this weekend, many young sailors have signed up. The race committee looks forward to seeing competitive racing in the Optimist class.
“The racing season is almost coming to an end, and this will be the last dinghy race of the season. Let’s make it one to remember!” said Sam Peeks, racing coach at the Sint Maarten Yacht Club. “I am looking forward to this weekend. The sailors have one more chance this season to show their skills. They can sail to become National Champion! What better way is there to close off this sailing season?”
Join us for a weekend of sailing, you can still sign up on the SMYC website!
